In the thread, "Trying to refrain from drinking while on TSM," I see there's conflicting views on how much you should be trying to reduce intake, resist habits, and resist urges while on TSM.

I said it there and I'll repeat it here: I get the impression that some members here take NAL daily but drink 10 every single day, for months, then ask, "why am I not cured?"

Personally, I believe that NAL is not a license to drink 10 every day. I personally believe that NAL works best when combined with simple steps to take more AF days and reduce intake. I may be misinterpreting TSM, but it's worked for me, so far.

That said, anyone interested in joining me next week for a forum-wide AF day? Perhaps Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, March 8th, 9th, or 10th.

EDIT: it will be SUNDAY, MARCH 7

EDIT 2: I now realize that calling this thread "forum-wide AF day" may be offensive to some people. I'm sorry and did not mean it that way. If anyone wants to join me in having an AF day on Sunday, great. If not, no pressure, no judgment!

EDIT 3: I started this topic because I found that some of us, even on NAL, and even MONTHS into TSM, find it difficult to set aside an AF day. I thought that by offering some group support, we might find it easier to set aside a single day (JUST ONE DAY) for AF.

I now realize that "group support" is a loaded term... It reminds some of us of peer pressure, judging, labeling, AA... All the things people joined this forum to escape.

I would never want to interfere with anyone's personal journey.

lena wrote:

if the insult about naltrexone not being a license to drink ten a day had been left out.

I didn't mean this as an insult, and I yet again apologize if I've offended anyone on their long, difficult quest to break free from alcohol dependency. God knows it's why we're all here.

I personally believe that TSM must be accompanied by life changes, but I expressed this opinion too crudely, incompletely, and in a way that seemingly helps no one. I retract the statement.

I will!


Sry...I have a tasteless sense of humor...

I will too, but since I'm cured, would it count?

A year ago, I would not have been capable of not drinking for a day, so this may be a tall request for some newbies.

Bob

I'm in! Just name the day.

maybe that could be my first AF without being hungover....

Bob,..or anyone with expertise,...maybe that would be the time to begin a chat room...

That's one thing before I found TSM that I liked at online AA,...The AA site had chat rooms,...One that had the "official meeting" and the smokers lounge that was people just talking about anything, and then there was another room where people could have private conversations.

Whomever has the power to do something like that,..I would suggest taking a peak....It really is cool...And for sober day,..it would help me to have a chat room to get me to the point where I goto bed...I can make it to midnight with ease but am usually not asleep till 3 or 4,..

Best, Jim

Only the admin (N101CS) can set up a chat room. We had a debate months ago regarding the use of a chat room and it was voted down because of the potential for hard feelings erupting due to misunderstandings when we type in real-time. Contrast that to our posts here, which most of us proofread and make slight wording and grammar changes so our thoughts are represented properly.

Also, our moderator is part time and if we have an unmoderated forum, then spammers and trolls can sneak in unabated. Of course these are the negatives. The positives are real time conversations which at the time of a crisis can mean a lot to a person in need. It also brings members into closer relationship. There are pros and cons which must be weighed carefully.

Bob

Another big concern is that people will be sharing information privately, one on one, that might not get spread to the entire group. I agree, there are pros and cons to instant messaging. I'm not sure how I'd vote if we revisited it. If one person had a sober night because of chat that they otherwise would not have, it seems like it might be worth it...

Nick,

Maybe it's time to set up another thread with a poll so people can vote on the issue again. The results may be different after a years time.

Bob

Also, may I suggest a Sunday as an AF day, since some folks do not have trouble not imbibing on that day. Plus, it'll make Monday morning a much more enjoyable experience.

Bob

I remember the debate and you make good points,..but it seems as though it might be more paranoia because when I was trying to be an AA dude again, they didn't seem to have problems. YEs, people will get taken out of context periodically, but I think the pro's outweigh the cons. And in terms of trolls etc,..do you really think they would go to the time to set up an account and have a name and begin bashing? Again, if you check out the online site,...there's ways to have private conversations, so say if you just wanted to talk to one person, you could, or hang out in the lounge. It was the only thing I liked...chatting with other drunks trying to get sober...

So we can we set up a poll again? And if it has problems we can just nuke it right?

Thanks Nick for greeting my buddy, he's a great cat.....Everyone else, my buddy Jerry has started an account and posted under Jerry's progress if you want to say hey....Best, Jim