Ive been thinking today that while I was going through the honeymoon period last week that it felt so real that I could not imagine going back to drinking at pre TSM levels. I was in so much control of my drinks. Now that Im back to slugging drinks again, I know that I shouldnt panic and fear that it will not come back but part of me is thinking did I imagine it? or, was it just a placebo effect? and part of me is fearfull no matter how much I tell myself calm down. Did any one else go through this debate with themselves.

Thank God for this site. Its great to have somewhere to go to talk this through.

There is no "placebo" capable of defeating alcohol cravings that I'm aware of. Almost all of us have gone through exactly what you are going through. Go to the cured list -- read the journeys. Almost all of us went back to drinking at higher levels after the honeymoon. It's all about defeating triggers -- whatever stimulates you to drink. Some are huge, some are small, but it takes months and months to extinguish them. If you do not know what I mean by "trigger", search the term on the board.

Hang in there and don't panic. The fact you had the honeymoon is a huge predictor of future success with this method.

Hey Mario,

I know man,....without everybody here, I probably would've given up. It can be a long road. I've been on it just coming on 6 months, and I tell you,...it is like a switch. And I can sense it more than ever. If you think where I was 6 months ago, stinking at 3 and 4 in the afternoon from the night before (not everyday mind you but enough that I helped keep Altoids in business), right now, drove the Mrs. back from her chiropractic appointment, not needing to keep windows down cuz I stunk from the night before (iys snowing today), no hangover, clear head, no shakiness, driving would sometimes make me have a panic attack, I'd feel like I was going to drive off the road, etc etc etc....I can't be happier BUT, I will still say I am in no way cured yet. Like others have said, I drink out of habit still but as I stated on another post, I can stare at a beer for an hour and not obsess about it. When I was starting with TSM, I would read that from others and say,...oh cmon, everybody is a bunch of liars. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is....well it works....but Roy's title of the book says "without effort", I think he should probably take that out,...but then again, I am coming into a sense of peace and serenity that I haven't had in many years. Although with all the AA bashing going around, it did work for me for 4.5 years and I got to a point of serenity,...but as a musician, I work in night clubs, weddings, private parties,...booze everywhere and periodically I'd get a nose hit of wine or Grand Marnier and I would literally get all freaked out. TSM has eliminated that burden COMPLETELY....I think AA's success rate has partly to do with the fellowship aspect which is what we are doing here which is why its so important to keep the site up and have donations which Bob3D I think is setting up. Even at AA, everyone gives a buck.

SO hang in there buddy and post often and check in with the cured folk which I dunno,..maybe in a month or two, but I imagine I want some AF days and possibly weeks before declaring victory. THAT I haven't done......

Best to all, Jim Clark

pssssssssssst. Mario has an 'innie' not an outie

HAHAHAHAHA

I love this place!