Need to give it more time. i had a few bad days around week 8 as I remember. Joe 12 pack got me trhoughh those. Now i am on week 13 and I am basically cured- haven't officially declared it but it will def be soon.

Hang tight, and don't abstain.

Yes, listen to zero_nine - you definitely need to give it more time. At least the amount that the book claims (4 months) more likely 6 or more. The length of time sucks, but it's worth it if if works. Look at some of the new posts on the cured or not poll and see what some of the cured people are saying.

Keep it up!

Illuminae

Zero nine and Illuminae,

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I know I need to stick to this but it is really hard. I just finished a 35 unit day and a half binge and feel like garbage Sometimes I feel like TSM is just me justifying my crazy drinking behavior But, honestly even thinking about going back to AA seems just as painful. I've already lost faith in what they have to offer. I just wish the TSM good stuff would kick in soon.

Zero nine. Thanks for sharing your experience. It does seem like the 6-8 week time is generally hard for some of the other folks on the board. Know how things have worked out for you makes it easier to keep going.

BTDT

BTDT, This is why oldtimers post to everyone when they join that it will be a rocky road, its so easy to hit a bad patch and panic thinking Oh hell Im just as bad as I always was and to start thinking about abstinance again. WE HAVE ALL BEEN THROUGH THIS. That is why we are warned when we start.

When I was activly alcoholic I usually managed to keep my drinking to 3 or 4 nights of the week yet there were weeks on tsm when I drank everynight. To my mind this is the addiction fighting back but nal will win out. Quiting now would be a total disaster. I like to think and I dont think Im wrong that its now that nal is doing its main job, squashing triggers but these triggers need to be drank through for nal to squash them. I just made a post in another thread and I said that I believe that I needed to go through there to get to here. Try to picture it as a nature trail, yep its lovely when the path is clear and you can see the sky overhead but its not so easy when the path gets muddy and overgrown and the trees block the light. Its times like these that you just have to trust in the people who have been down that route and who have made it out. You will be fine, just stick to the plan.

Hugs

Mario,

Thank you for your encouragement - and for making me feel like this is just part of the process and not just me being horrible I have absolutely had more to drink the past 8 weeks than before TSM mostly because in the past I end up feeling guilty and crawling back to AA again. I'm really, really hoping these tough few weeks just means I've got some good ones ahead.

I feel like my nature trail had some ugly patches of quicksand Now I'm ready to fight back. Hopefully this will motivate me to get a few more AF days this week - tonight should be easy but maybe I can take Friday off too. I'll stick with it but I'm going to apply some effort this week!! My body needs a break and so do I. Hangovers always leave me feeling melancholy. I'll be glad when this day is over.

Thank you again for all your kind words and perspective. I means the world to me. BTDT

BTDT,
Dont sweat it. We all have similar experiences, but we are all different subjects, and have to wait it out and let the drug work its magic. Focus on the positives and look for the overall benefits nal has brought, and you will get over the small bumps easier.

What a difference a day makes Yesterday was a AF day and not just because of my early morning hangover. By the end of the day, I felt fine and I had ZERO interest in drinking - no thinking about it, no having to talk myself out of it, nothing. My hubby even had some wine and I couldn't have cared less. I can also definitely say the morning after an AF day is WONDERFUL. I feel like a million bucks!!!

I'm going to plan some AF activity for tonight - maybe a movie with the kids to try and turn it into two days in a row. I find sitting around the house doing the same thing every night makes it easier to continue the habit. But, I'm going to try not to sweat it either way.

I also feel a bit better that I over-counted my bottles. My last binge was less than I thought it was. One of the bottles was my husband's favorite wine and I know I didn't drink that one Not that it is a big deal - I just was surprised because I didn't feel that hungover!!!

Thanks Pacificman - I really think I could not over think it. I guess it's hard to keep perspective after a bad couple of days. That's why it is so helpful to have you and the others on the board share their experiences and offer support. It makes all the difference.

HUGS to all, BTDT

Ugh, I hate that feeling! Glad to hear that night after was effortless AF and you are feeling better now. I have had that up and down experience for the past few months. A few relatively good weeks, then a bad week. But the bad week does add incentive and motivation to moderate, then I find it is actually easier than ever before TSM.

Its a process ... just stick with it and we'll keep cheering you on!

Hugs, YG

Hi BTDT,

I'm fairly new to the forum but finding your posts really helpful in reminding me that I'm here for the long haul. I'm in week 5 and after a honeymoon my drinking is going up again. I really appreciate people like you and others on the forum who keep posting even when it gets tough- lets us new people have a realistic view of what we are in for but also that can be achieved. The fact that you continue to post despite when it feels like it is not working will be big help to many.

Keep on keeping on

XX

.