I have been on Nal for 2 weeks with no side effects over the initial spaciness the first week. I am taking the standard 50 mg. I usually drink 5-6 glasses (1 1/2 bottles) of wine daily. Yesterday I drank 3/4 of a bottle and then went out for dinner and drank 5-6 more glasses. I say 5-6 because I really can't remember anything after the first 3. This is NOT a lot of wine for me but I seriously don't even remember eating my dinner, let alone any of the conversation that went with it. Bugger really as the dinner was at a very nice restaurant.

I asked my boyfriend if I was ok last night - like talking, etc. and he says I was fine.

Is this normal? Has anyone else out there experienced this? I mean, I was totally out of it, yet behaving normally. And I also had a brutal hangover this morning - you'd think I drank 5 bottles of wine.

Can it be the Nal that caused this?

Yes Clare,

All of the above I think for many of us. I've had hangovers like when I was a kid before alcoholism.

And tolerance seems to go down. I chalked that up to drinking less, and then on heavier nights, not being able to metabolize it the same way. That's probably not true. But I've had blackouts/greyouts since TSM.

I think what we need to focus on is the improvement, however small it may be until it becomes a new life. The inches add up to feet add up to yards add up to miles! It will happen I just know it. Take care and best, Jim

PS and love that boyfriend. He's supporting you through this nightmare. That's awesome!

Thanks Jim - it seems that the effect of Nal on one's drinking is all over the map. For some people it intensifies the effect? Is that what you mean? For others, I'm reading that there is no buzz at all. I don't normally go above my 5-6 glasses of wine and last night when I did, it was crazy - good incentive to stay within the limit that I can handle because it was a little scary how the effect creeped up.

I really have no improvements at all right now because it's only been 2 weeks but you can be sure I will focus on every little one!!

C

Well I can officially say I have joined the black-out club. Not sure it's a good club to be in..LOL. I had the oh **** what did I do last night, last Saturday. I guess the good part of it was it was done on like 10 drinks which pre-tsm that would have been 18-20 something. So my tolerence is going way down which is a good thing as far a harm reduction goes.

Yeah Claremont,

I've had it both ways. As in feeling the alcohol WAY more and having black/grey outs, as well as the feeling of being able to maintain better, more clarity. I don't know. Keep good notes I know I am. (at least on the forum )

i.e. last night I had my new amount (I'm so happy about this) 1 martini and 1 bud light. And I was pretty smashed. I had come home from a work out and was tired. I almost didn't go work out because I was so tired but I did. So I'll chalk a little up to that, but maybe 5-6 ounces of vodka and a beer? Well hell, I'll at least save money as I won't be burning through a 1.75 L every 5-7 days plus brew, plus whatever. Saving money hey , feeling GREAT this AM that makes two days in a row.

Hang in there, I think I feel something changing for me...Best, Jim

Crown86 - Welcome to the club? At least you know you're not alone with this experience. Mine was on a lot less drinks too. Hope it wasn't too bad.

Jim - Great progress! Sounds like a good step in the right direction. I am going back to the gym in the new year - no not a new year's resolution, I gave those up years ago!! Can't hurt though and sound like it might be a positive influence on the drinking.

Speaking of saving money, try excessive drinking in the land of taxed to death. I can buy a bottle of wine in Florida for $5 - same wine costs $18 here in Canada. Definitely not a cheap drunk No happy hours either!

Still looking forward to those little changes...................

C.