Hello Fellow TSMers,

I plan to do the following things if and when I feel absolutely sure I am cured. I realize from others here that it may do no good, but I pledge to do these things anyway, and I hope you will too. We can't help if we don't try.

1) I will contact every doctor, therapist, psychiatrist, on-line support group, alternative medicine practicioner, etc. I have ever seen that could not help me with my alcohol addiction. I will (politely) explain that where they failed, TSM succeeded. I want to spread the word as much as I can within my "sphere of influence."

2) I will contact all of my friends who are similarly struggling and have expressed a desire to change, and tell them of my success with TSM. I am not sure what to do about people who will not admit there is a problem, in very close cases (like my brother) I likely will try anyway.

3) I will stick around here for at least a year, to help cheer on new people who are bravely trying a new treatment, and help them ride the rollercoaster.

4) I will add myself to the Cured List, along with a condensed version of my story (along with what "cured" means to me), so those first visiting can see how many of us actually have changed our lives using TSM.

ON THE OTHER HAND, IF I AM NOT CURED, I WILL DO THE FOLLOWING:

5) I would like to see a "The Not Cured List" item added, and I would add myself to that. I think it would be helpful if we give up and quit, to summarize how long we tried, what led us to quit, and what treatment (if any) we are planning to try next. It is a bummer when people just drop off, and we never know if they were cured, gave up or are trying something else.

So, who's with me?

I'm in! I Just gotta get stick with the treatment for now. but It makes sense to me why Sinclair and Eskapa stay at a safe distance from this forum, they can't be held responsible for everything said here and if it appears they are running the show, then they would be lumped in with everything. if they did frequent the place, they would have to be here all the time setting straight every single little thing, and they are busy researching and working on TSM and other things.

so it's up to us

Hey Yoga

I commend you for this. Being honest, I'm not sure I'd have the guts to go as far as you. I guess if I get to the point of being totally and unequivocally cured, then I may feel quite different. To be concrete:

1) I'll certainly tell my doctor and encourage them to spread the word
2) I don't know anyone else in 'real life' (or at least know them well) who I think is in a similar position. In the event I do, I'll do this too
3) I can't promise - I have lots of demands on my time, but I'd like to think I'll drop in a la Bob
4) Yes, I'll do this for sure

5) I'm not sure. Even if not cured, I've still benefitted hugely. I wouldn't like to be overly negative, even if just through someone just reading my 'didn't work' post and not getting the bigger picture. Even if what I've experienced is self-remission, placebo effect, pure luck or the spaghetti monster in the sky having some giggles, I'm all for other people getting the same benefits I have.

Thanks, Joe and 1-4 ... glad to have you along!

And I agree, I won't do any of those things unless I truly know in my heart that I am "cured", however I define that for myself. As for talking to others with similar problems, that is easy for me because I have a number of friends and family who have experienced major alcohol problems. Many of us have tried (unsuccessfully, some in rehab and AA) to change, so I am only waiting to share this till I am sure it actually worked for me. (Actually, I have shared it with a few already, and THEY are waiting to see what happens with me.) I would absolutely NOT approach someone I didn't know very well and had not shared this struggle with already.

If I am cured, I'm sure I will be like everyone else and my interest in this forum will diminish like my interest in alcohol. I couldn't promise to be here every day. But I would pop in (ala bob3d, minneapolisnick and other kind souls) as often as I could.

1-4, I see your point about not being negative in a "Not Cured" list, because it might give someone who might be helped a reason not to even try. My intention there was to get a more realistic view of outcomes, positive or negative. I just wish there were more accessible data for everyone out there who is suffering.

I am so baffled by only 23 people on the cured list, when it seems like so many more have been helped. Maybe the world "cured" is just too strong. A huge improvement in drinking may not feel "cured", but is a huge improvement nonetheless.

BTW 1-4, I loved your reference to The Flying Spaghetti Monster ... may you forever be touched by his noodly appendage! LOL

I'm totally in!!! I'm already selling this to friends and family, they see me as a guinea pig, same I see a lot of people on these posts.. thanks my guinea pigs, you all give me hope I develop websites adn I'm thinking too of starting my own TSM website if I do start to see real progress.. not to compete with this forum but to help spread the word more online. Any ideas for features that anyone would like to see on a supplementary TSM website please let me know as I'm starting to brainstorm!!

Hey Yoga,

I'm in....have to see the shrink tomorrow 8 AM wake up 7 AM 12.30 right now. Trying to keep units to a minimum. Still pissed at CVS though for not helping me with the NAL as well as my shrink. I hope they're happy.....Best, Jim

PS 2 non NAl days of drinking and I'm not freaking out. Two drinks in and I need to go to sleep in the next hour. Maybe I'll make it a low unit night. If she's not giving me NAL tomorrow, I will have to goto alldaychemist or the river like the rest of y'all. My best, Jim