Hang in there CM
My history is more like 10-15 years than 20 years, and there is some evidence on the site that the longer you've been drinking the longer the method takes to work for you (which would intuitively make sense).
I just reviewed my progress thread. See if you don't see the similiarities
I had initially estimated my pre-TSM levels at ~70 (UK) units per week. I dunno how accurately you do your estimation, but when I did a more careful analysis I figured out that it was more like 100. I had the honeymoon, and then a pick up again.
Here is what I posted at 18 weeks:
Quote:
"Just feeling a bit down about the whole thing I guess. I had hoped to be making more progress by now. I had my initial rise after I got used to the Nal, with a peak in week 5, then a drop for a couple of weeks - an increase for a couple of weeks when I went away on holiday and then a steady drop from ~100 units per week at week 8 to ~65 units @ week 13. Then 5 weeks up to an including this week where I've climbed back up into 80-85 units pw. And that with 1 AF day each of the last 3 weeks"
and week 20
Quote:
"Not too happy right now. No AF days this week and up to 92 units. I also seem to be thinking more about Al each day than I was before."
week 22
Quote:
I'm feeling good right now. Lowest consumption since I started TSM, and 2 AF days
week 24
Quote:
I'm approaching the end of week 24, so almost 6 months into the method, well past the time when the book suggested I might be cured.
I've been up and I've been down - both in my mood, and in my consumption.
Right now, I'm definitely on my up in the mood stakes and on my way down in consumption. I'm on a 5 week downward trend before this week, and the last two weeks have been record low consumptions. I'm probably going to be up marginally this week, but only by a couple of units, so I'm not going to worry about. Much more positively this is the third week in a row I've managed 2 AF days in the week - this coming from someone who was basically a 7 day drinker with 1-2 AF days per month before this. I've made a concious effort now to allocate Monday and Wednesday as 'dry days' and to try and drop a couple of units here and there as a concious effort. It has been easier than I've thought it would be and my cravings overall are also down.
week 27
Quote:
Well almost 3 weeks since I've reported, and I'm now just over 6 months into TSM (this is week 27). I'm delighted to say that I continue to make respectable progress, and I'm feeling good right now.
For each of the last 6 weeks I've had at least 2 AF days, and this week I managed 2 AF days in a row, and could relatively easily have done another last night I reckon. However, I decided instead to have a few drinks and to try for an AF day today instead. My units are down to about 50% of pre-TSM, and the cravings are down very significantly too.
On the (slightly) negative side, I do notice that the day after an AF day I tend to drink a little bit more than average, but even there the trend is downward
Last week was my joint second lowest consumption since I began, and this week almost certainly will be the lowest - even if I drink more than average tonight and tomorrow (my drinking week being Fri-Thur incl). I'm going to shoot for 3 AF days per week now for the next few weeks, which may be a challenge over the Christmas period, but what the hey!
For anyone reading, the 'breakthrough moment' for me was deciding to 'augment' traditional TSM by 'forcing' a particular AF day per week with deliberately substituted activities, and actively trying to replace drinks on occasion with non-alcholic (or even lower alcohol content) drinks.
Week 40
Quote:
I'm quite happy with my progression so far to be honest - and totally agree about using that 'little bit of effort' - that was in effect what gave me my 'second wind' a few months back and really helped me make progress. I'm sure I'll have something similar soon where that little bit of effort makes another dramatic step change. What was impossible for me to do pre-TSM became difficult. What was difficult then became somewhat challenging. What was somewhat challenging became something that took just a little effort. What took a little effort became effortless.
Pre-TSM about the only thing that was effortless was not drinking early in the day. The 5-8pm window took just a little effort. 8-9 was a challenge. Anything after that was difficult. Multiple AF days were impossible.
Now I'm at the stage where 2 consecutive AF days takes a little effort. 3 is a challenge. An AF week would be difficult. I'm not sure anything to do with Al seems impossible anymore.
Week 46
Quote:
Any time I feel a bit despondent I just look back over my graph of the last 10 months and see where I used to be
----Then---------------------------------------------------Now
====================================================
6-7 days per week ------------------------------3-4 days per week
Cravings of 6/10 -------------------------------- cravings of 1/10
Typical weekend night drank ~ 20 units ----------- ~14 units
Typical weeknight ~ 12-15 units ----------------- usually 0, but if i drink ~ 7 units
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maybe I am just making progress!!