This is for those of you who are discouraged. Hang in there! It seems that for some of us it takes a while, 6 mos or more. And for some of us change happens very slowly and not as dramatically as some.

I have been on NAL for almost 6 months. Not much change and feeling discouraged until couple of weeks ago I noticed that I was less wanting to get buzzed, very subtle, but less. And I started drinking a bit less, not much less, but less. Cravings were less and when I drank I just didn't seem to be drinking to get drunk.

Last week I noticed that after I took the NAL I sort of lost my interest in drinking and didn't want to drink after the 60 minutes. (I did drink anyhow because I knew it only works that way.) The first couple glasses of wine I drank slowly, without trying to go slow, then after the fourth I was drinking faster, on my way to buzzed, the old pattern.

This week I am really noticing that I sort of regret taking the pill, cause after an hour I don't have much if any craving and don't want to be buzzed. I want to do something else. Sometimes I feel annoyed that I have to drink. IMAGINE!!!!

Then in the past few days I just seem to be drinking even less, a few glasses less. For example, last night I came home from work and started the wine drinking. After two glasses (units) I decided to go down the street to dinner (I don't drink and drive, thankfully). That's very unusual: to go out when I'm not tipsy. Ordered a bottle of Rose' with dinner and ended up drinking less than half. Just didn't feel like getting buzzed anymore than I was. I noticed a guy, very professional looking, in the restaurant who was alone and drunk and calling all these people, making a fool of himself. Felt sad for him. Came home and had a thought to drink some more, but realized I didn't want to and didn't. That's a big change: not drinking when I don't want to.

So, something is happening. It's subtle, but noticeable. What has helped me, and what I would suggest for others, is to keep observant. Make sure you are honestly measuring and recording your units, and keep aware of how much you are craving, even if you go on autopilot and drink to get drunk anyhow. Just be observant. And patient. And self compassionate. And it helps to have an intention to drink less, even if you are fighting an old pattern of behavior. I am starting to experience, albeit slowly, that sobriety can be really nice, and a motivator.

So, we'll see what the next few weeks bring. I am cautiously optimistic, but I am digging being sober more often and awaking without hangovers and all that shame and anxiety. I plan to be patient. Real change takes time. No?

well done Jim

one thing you said jarred with me though. I was under the impression that if you take the Nal and don't drink - no big deal. You seem to think you 'have to' drink if you've taken the pill. Can anyone else shed any light on this?

I have often experienced a feeling of not wanting to drink after I take my Naltrexone. Then I figure that I need to drink in order for the Naltrexone to have something to extinguish. I'm thinking of not doing that next time. If I don't feel like drinking after my Naltrexone, I think I'll just do something else.

I'm glad you brought up the topic, because I have been experiencing that feeling more and more as time goes by.

Bob

Glad to hear you are feeling some changes, JIm & good advice to stay in tuned w/ units, cravings, feelings, etc. I have sort-of slacked off lately in keeping exact numbers. Guess it is part of being discouraged I am now at the 9th month w/ no real changes...but hanging in. Who knows!

I am so impressed with you Larry on helping your wife the way you are but she must be some special woman that you're doing it for! My prayers are with you both on this journey.

corkit