Nick recently suggested that we ****-can the "cured" thread, and I wholeheartedly agree. I think that all in all it has proved to be a major distraction, and I don't think it is the most constructive way to measure our progress. Many of us don't like the term, and it sets up a kind of "exclusive" club that is not necessarily conducive to the kind of unity that I usually associate with this board. I also think it could be confusing to newcomers, especially when a "cured" person still experiences issues with drinking as several of us have.

Some of the better posts in the thread could be moved to a "hall of fame" type thread, and we could move beyond cured into a new territory where we talk about the tremendous benefit TSM is bringing to our lives.

Note: I still consider myself c***d, so this is not some sour grapes thing; this is about focusing on the real business of using TSM to regain our lives.

An issue has been raised regarding the fact that this could amount to "censorship", and that is something I had not considered. This will have to factor into our decision.

I guess if others want the thread "Cured" gone that's ok with me BUT it would be most important for those who are/consider themselves "Cured" to continue to use that word, and to stick around!! If we can't access their "cured" stories somewhere we'll be missing something.

I guess one reason to get rid of the thread is that each of us has different goals. So one person's "cured" would be a cut back on a huge habit. Another person's "cured" could be like my goal of just keeping control of a very small amount every day.

I really dont mind if the "cured" thread remains or not, it would just go to show our ongoing development in this community of TSMers. Evolution.

I think Providence's post sums things up nicely. How was your life pre TSM and how is your life now?

I believe there are levels of success with TSM.

I was trying to get people to see all the success with the Grateful Thread, a thread of small and large successes....where people post differences whether small or big, some people are just starting while some people are at the point where they can shrug off urges and thier lives are far better than pre TSM. Not focus on the word "cured" but focus more on the word "success". While I may never use the word "cured" I will certainly use the word "success". Basically posting all the tiny and big success people are having. The point is to show people that this works.

From reading yours (Firebird) and Nick's posts, I probably wouldnt say cured either, but I would definitely say you both have ongoing SUCCESS. Same for me.

My 2 pennnies.

If we don't have a "cured" list, then why are we following a book called "The Cure for Alcoholism" by Dr. Eskapa?

Bob

Edit: corrected author's name.

I echo Bob's post

I think it is censoring to insist that we remove the list. It's there for those who will relate to it and in the beginning most of us picked up the book because it said "cure" - not control, not success, not any other word. I did really enjoy hapful's Grateful thread, so perhaps we need a Successes thread to highlight the many different ways that people are being de-addicted and changing their lives.

I am extremely diffident about posting a reply here, because I am a brand-new member, but as a lurker for a while, the "Cured" discussion site was the first I was drawn to and kept going back to. It was really powerful for someone new to the whole naltrexone process to read success stories, whether they were about being cured or about being in control. Maybe that's more a semantic difference than anything else? Would it be possible to label the list cured/in control and leave the reader to decide? Regardless, your stories here in every category are amazing and enabling and inspiring and edifying, bumps and all.

One can't relapse on TSM. The next drink is the next treatment. So, I guess I don't understand what you are getting at.

Regarding the "ego thing", I think you may be right. I am proud to have gotten to the point of being "cured". But after thinking about it for a few minutes, I think that list can be ultimately detrimental.

The original intent for the list when we first posted it was so that newer ones could see who made it all the way to "the cure" as described in Dr. Eskapa's book, which is the basis for this website. Anyone could look at the weekly progress reports and see that we went through the same or similar experiences, discouragement, minor successes, and side effects during our weeks of treatment. I don't think we ever thought about it as a "badge of honor". However, if it is viewed by the majority that way, I don't want my name on it. It would be the same as that miserable AA chip I used to have before I shattered it.

Bob