Hi All,

Thanks so much for the posts, they are very much appreciated. I guess it makes sense that so many drift off. Once I felt that the Nal was working and I was on my way to becoming cured (back in March I would guess) I stopped visiting the site with any regularity.

I do have one note of caution regarding the above advice. When I began having frequent AF days and the side effects of NAL were starting to be felt again, I dipped down to 25 mg. In about 2-3 weeks, I was drinking every day again, so I upped my dose back to 50mg. Although I returned to AF days again very quickly, I have a feeling that 25mg was not quite enough to cover me, and the addiction started creeping back. Now, I wasn't fully cured yet when I dropped down to 25mg, so I may be able to better tolerate that dose now, but I think if you try it before you are cured there is a risk of regression, at least my case tends to indicated that.

I would say that as of roughly 2 months ago I would consider myself fully cured. Although I still have minor cravings, they are more like longings for the good times I used to have, rather than a craving for alcohol itself. I can and do go for 2 weeks at a time without a drink, and last night I was at an evening business function we have about 6 times a year, and last night was the first time ever I didn't have a drink (it is open bar, free beer, wine, and spirits, and I was one of the few in the room without alcohol). I was so proud and am still shocked that not once did I even feel a slight inclination for a drink. It was great, my co-workers were all like: "Hey, are you on the wagon? I've never seen you without a drink at these things!" I told them: "Nope! I just don't feel like drinking as much these days, giving the old liver a break!"

One other thing I wish to share, my best friend started taking this pill about 4 months after I did, right when I started feeling like the cravings were starting to go down and started pressuring him in to trying it too (although I was still drinking every day at that point I really felt like I was on my way). He's about 8 months in now, but now has frequent AF days. He wouldn't consider himself cured yet, but is optimistic in the first time in years that he is breaking the grip on alcohol. He scans this forum occasionally but for whatever reason never became a user. If it helps gives anyone hope, I would venture to say he too is well on his way to success, starting from about 45-50 drinks per week.

In any case, please do add me to the cured list. I will continue to check in occasionally. Although I can only speak for myself, and the progress my best friend has made, I am confident based on the studies I have read, and the stories on this forum, that Nal does what it is supposed to, but could take up to 2 years or even more based on genetics and how heavy a drinker you are when you start. I am convinced of it.

In any case, best wishes to you all, I'll check back in a few days and would be happy to answer any more questions!

Cheers,

Z

Are you for real?
I have me douths.

OHHH My Gawd,I'm cured.
How shall I deal with it?

Hi Phoenix,

I don't mind people doubting or questioning me, but please be a little more specific about it.

What exactly do you mean?

You can't imagine that no longer being able to use alcohol to plug up a few holes in my life doesn't present itself as an entirely new problem?

Don't get me wrong, I'd much rather have THIS problem, but I'm just saying I have an emptiness I can no longer use alcohol to ignore. I guess I wouldn't have gotten that either before I was cured, so I guess I really don't blame you for questioning me.

Z

Zebron,

Thanks for posting your experience. Hearing stories like yours gives me all the more confidence to stick it out. I also appreciate the warning about reducing the dose. I can imagine after being cured for a time it could be easy to try to loosen up a little.

I'm not surprised that changing your drinking could lead to having to rethink your life. I guess every something major changes everything has to be shifted again. Just because it is a positive change, doesn't make it insignificant. I like hearing about these adjustments so I'm not surprised when I get there.

Take care and keep posting!! BTDT

Zebron -
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!

There are so many people on here who are cured...Firebird, Bob, etc. I'm glad Crown86 at least chimed in - there are many others: Minneappolisnick who supposedly moderates this board, but I know is incredibly busy. I was not successful with NAL but jealous of those of you who are. I know it works for many.

I hope others will eventually chime in with their success. I'm kindof thinking there is a cyclical event to all this medication. If this doesn't work out, I will titrate back down and not take anything for awhile. Then eventually take NAL again. If it doesn't work, take Topa again. BAC a 2nd time?? No way!! Ugh - People have reported gaining 25 - 30 lbs before hitting the switch...NO F******* WAY!!!!! If there was a guarantee?? Maybe - But since there's not?! No way. Ugh - hated it.

I am yawning myself to death. Nite nite.

wahh! houtex! i hate to think of all the effort you have in to not be having great results. too late for me to be posting, but just wanted to say i;m sending you all positive thoughts vibes whatever. really hoping that plan c is in fact working for you.
xo
pth

ZEEEEB,

So nice to see your post.

I think that is so important about the 25 MG. Thats not been spoken about.

Anyways.....to hijack,...I've had my usual 5-6 units and some herb (now that I'm home). But on a good note,....I orderd a goose on the rocks and a beer for the last set,...cuz I was doing sound and wanted a drink for the breakdown (the bar notoriously closes down at the close so I "pre order") my usual alcoholic behavior.

So what happens the drinks go undrunken for the whole last set!!!!

Thew woman says hey are you gonna drink those ,...and sadly i slammed them,...but still...I ignored them for teh whole set.

I think i'm making progress,..plus its 2 AM and I'm basically sober,...certainly sober enough to post his......

Best jim

PSdisclaimer,..... I will have one more drink and one more hit o Herb b4 bedtime

Are you being wittily sarcastic, or just a hater?

Since I've been cured by TSM and have been heading for abstinence also, I'd thought I'd answer a your questions the best I can, for what it's worth.

I don't have that particular problem and I was worried about it a little, last week. Last week, I finally decided to have that "12-step nightmare" - the first drink after a 10 week period of abstinence. As expected after a TSM cure, I had two beers after my Naltrexone and I haven't wanted any alcohol since (obviously the craving is utterly extinguished). My worry was that I would have trouble with Naltrexone side effects. Fortunately for me, I never had nausea when I first started Naltrexone, so I had minimal side effects last week too. I did take it after I ate supper, though.

I only drank Guinness Stout during TSM, so last week that is what I had. The taste reminded me of the first time I had beer as a teen, not so good. I never liked NA-beer and I guess I still don't, but I don't know since I don't feel like drinking it. I know this answer doesn't give you any information, but it is my experience.

The " life of the party" portion of our personality that used to come out only after our inhibitions were lowered by alcohol is still within us. Cultivation of the fun side of our personality without alcohol is within us and can be successfully released with some practice. Now I have fun in social situations with little to be embarrassed about and a full memory of it the next day. In other words, the void goes away.

That's about all I can offer on your questions. Enjoy your journey to abstinence, if that is your goal.

Bob