Yep V, it's hard to see the success of others and not feel bad if it's not working for you- but I truly feel there is a medical solution to this problem. Have you explored going up to 100 mgs.? My DR said there is some success with that dose. It didn't work for me so after 6 months am back down to 50 "just in case". Looking into adding Baclofen to the mix...

The good things are we are here and trying this, drinking units down overall. Focus on that and be well!

Glad to hear from you but I wish you were progressing more rapidly. Remember, follow-up studies showed ongoing improvement for up to three years with TSM. If you are moving forward with more AF days, you are progressing. Hopefully, this progression will continue to the point you are no longer chasing the buzz.

My best to you. Hang in there.

Nick

Hey Houtx, well, I may look at 100mgs after a year. I've also been reading w/ interest the combination of Baclofen but will be honest and say it makes me nervous. When do you plan on trying it? I'll look into it seriously if I'm at the same place in June.

Nick, as always, thanks for your support and I'm happy to see the progress you've made. I agree that the increased AF days can't be overlooked as progress. When I decide on an AF day, I actually feel relief that I won't have to fight the quantity of drinks. A huge change from when deciding to be AF and then having the cravings take over and giving in. The ADE must still be in effect. Didn't drink yesterday and won't drink today so I"m nervous about tomorrow. Never had 3 AF days in a row..maybe it's time for a challenge

Hey V, one more thought. I too found early success with being able to increase my AF days with little effort. But limiting the amount I had per session took considerably longer on my path to becoming un-addicted. Maybe you are right: your early start and your gene pool make you a tough nut to crack, but the AF days are evidence of a small crack. The larger crack might just take more time for you.

Wishing you my best.

Still hanging in with little change. Well, some change but still slow slow slow... still can easily drink too much and it seems to happen when I'm only around my husband. Have been pretty good in public and with other family. And my husband doesn't know the true extent of what I drink and I hate that. The cravings are down and it's my own weakness that I get a drink even without a strong craving. What is that about?? And I'm getting hangovers with 4 - 5 drinks. That sucks but doesn't stop me.

Oddly enough, I'm going out tonight and I have no fear of drinking too much. And I won't be tempted into having a pre-going out drink. For that, I am grateful.

My AF days have dropped to 2 a week over the last month - stress was a big part of it. Going back to 3 days for a few weeks and then hopefully, I can reduce drinks per session.

just frustrated with myself here...

It's been over a year and I wouldn't consider myself cured. I feel very much in control drinking around friends and family, in public..and at social occasions. Just knowing that I won't make a fool out of myself is a huge relief. AF days are still difficult to come by and drinking at home leads to drinking too much - just don't know why that is.. have been tempted to quit the Nal but am scared to do that. If some people have improvement over a 3 year time frame, then there's hope...I think willpower has to be brought into the game....it's just not going to work without it. I feel so great when I don't drink but I just don't seem to be able to focus on that when I want a drink... cravings are lower but not low enough...

Wishing the best for everyone on the board....

Virginia, You may not know this, but a documented case just came forward of a woman who took 18 months to finally be cured. She is now abstinent. I think TSM for the most part is a bumpy ride for a long time for many of us. Keep the faith.

Was it someone on the board? I didn't see anything like that and would love to see/read about her experience...

Read some of your blog - great writing, especially on the weight loss topic. I know that if I could limit drinking to the weekends, it would make a huge difference..why go through the trouble of working out every day and not see the true results?? Though I would probably be 20 pounds heavier if I stopped

Having a new issue here... hangovers have become intolerable at the same level of drinking. It's sapping my energy, productivity, and joy. So I've had around 2 - 3 weeks of this utter crap and finally had a week where the stars aligned and drinking wasn't going to be possible for 6 days in a row. What a challenge... 2 nights, I'm on my own with the kids and I now never drink alone. Small improvement there. Activities that are completely incompatible w/ drinking on the other nights. It has been YEARS since I've gone that long without drinking and am so curious to see how I handle it...if I feel great..if it's the breakthrough I need to finally make real progress.

Well, night 1 - no problem - having a hangover helped
Day 2 - ok, did 1/2 shot w/ no NAL and it calmed my nerves and low cravings after that
Day 3 - that's today and no problem... healthy meals and getting work done felt good..
Day 4 - It won't be possible to drink so hoping for no cravings..

A little afraid of the ADE on Saturday but hopefully will be so impressed w/ my week that it will help w/ willpower.

I'd take that Nal!!! even if it's only a half a shot. gotta block the endorphin rush from that. I'm starting to think the times when I didn't wait the full hour may have had an negative effect. I'm now breaking my pills into quarters and swallowing all 4 quarters so it might dissolve faster. I'm also waiting the full hour or more. My thinking is that maybe the first sip delivers the reinforcement to my brain and if I'm not covered ofr the first sip, I will continue to chase that reinforcement. who knows if this is true, but I'm not taking chances anymore. don't want to encourage myself