I am happy to report that tonight was my 2nd AF day straight. and I'm not jonesing at all! I've never had 2 AF days without constantly doing the AA thing. and I was miserable and guilt driven half the time with that. spending all my time in those dumb meetings sucked too.

I did have a blowout saturday night, I admit, and was sort of hungover yesterday but not that bad really. I took a nap in the afternoon watching Fistful of Dollars, took my Nal because i planned to drink, mowed the lawn in the early evening, and just never drank. felt fine, hangover was gone, but I knew I had to get up extra early this AM so I chose not to drink. it was easy. surprisingly easy! Today I worked a long day thought about drinking watching the Titans first home game since the flood ravaged the stadium, but on my way home I just realized i didn't feel like drinking. so I didn't pick up any AL, never took NAL, and didn't drink. DAMN! that easy! no obsessions, no cravings, period. There should be an Easy button for this like they have at Staples!

I think I may be turning a corner here. The idea that it's not that big of a deal to go without AL for a night or 2 is new to me, and it feels great! and the idea that if i cave in and drink on Nal, it's not a failure but more therapy, is so encouraging and healthy. Here's to many more days like the last 2!!!!!! No f***ing way I could've done this without white knuckling before TSM. I do believe it's working. and now after consciously testing the waters a bit (I folded like a cheap suit and drank the first couple of times) I'm realizing how much the cravings have been lifted.

My recommendation to those who want to try to consciously make an AF day happen: Take the Nal as usual, if you really want to drink, just drink. if not. hot damn! I tried AF days withot Nal and then thought about "what if I can't wait the hour? I better take NAL just in case. and then later...Well I took the Nal so I better not waste it." then I drank. so I think I over thought it.

But taking the Nal like normal, and then deciding "hey why don't I just not drink because I don't have to?" made it easier because I didn't have to white knuckle knowing there was beer in the fridge and more at the store, should I need it. I feel like at this point I'm like Linus from the Charlie Brown cartoons. I haven't really craved hard for a good while, yet I still was reluctant to part with my security blanket. mostly out of sheer habit, and less out of addiction. keep in mind this is 23 weeks in, but Linus has madde it 2 days without his blanket! and for those who remember Mr. Mom, I may just burn my woobie soon ramble over

Joe, this is great news. It's good to see your progress who knows a year from now you may log on as Joe3pack

I love that you say that because I was thinking of the 6 pack myself. I got Joe6pack from the Simpsons years ago but I upped it to 12 to fit my situation. could also be Joe2bottlesofred. I'm gonna see if I can go AF another night. got a friend coming over though.If it's not completely easy I'll just take Nal and drink. more reinforcement

Maybe I'll just be Joe on here someday. (not my real name though)

or JoeNoPack???
Awsome good for you Joe..nice feeling eh to not be powerless over booze eh? For me it something about knowing I can drink if I want..my terms..LOL..good for you.

yep I once knew those hangover days with Clint or John Wayne, steak and cheese, close the blinds..LOL..cant say I miss them though

BTW I tried for you on cyber recovery..LOL they locked my thread an cant figure out why and moved to secular recover...LOLOLOL I beleive in God

Glad to hear it. I've said it before and I'm glad you're discovering it for yourself: NAL rewards a little effort. It can make consciously cutting back or having AF days surprisingly easy.

Congrats joe! I'm just 5 weeks into this and can't imagine an AF day yet. But, I'm making progress, so I think I'll get there. Having an AF day is going to be strange after 35 years of daily drinking.

Yeah after 15 years of daily drinking since I was 18 it was hard to imagine for me too. so I did decide to go for AF and it was way easier that I thought. last night I ended up drinking 5 beers and made buffalo wings. these folks are right about trying a conscious AF day after a few months. it shows you how easy it is and gives you perspective.

That's great news, Joe! Watching your progress, as well as your ups and downs, help me remember to just chill out and keep going. Thanks for always being so supportive to everyone here!

Congratulations!!! I'm in week 17.

Hi I am in week 13. Been doing really well from the get-go. Am following advise from the guys that say just take the Nal & chill out! Was obssesive at first, but better now. Congatulations Joe! I really like you. All of your life stories are so well writin. Only proves AA wrong for thinking we are all in an alleyway somewhere with a paper bag. You are all intelligent, sensitive, & very supportive.
Thank You All
JANE