and another month disappears

a poor month stats wise, if truth be told. For whatever reason, the last 4 weeks have been pretty busy - with lots of social, drinking occasions, with some holidays thrown in. Whereas in June/July I'd reached a stage where 4/5 AF days per week was the norm, now that seems to have dropped to 3 or so, but no doubt it'll go back up again. Consumption has gone back to where it was 4 months or so ago, but I'm confident that is a temporary phenomen. I guess it just stands as a reminder that this is a journey and a process, rather than a set number of steps/stages.

Too bad about the rise in numbers but overall, you look good. inspires me for sure

another 3 weeks with high-ish numbers, so nothing too positive to report on that front.

I guess the reasons were largely to do with some holidays I took with some friends where we were going out to eat most days etc, so while there was no really big sessions on any of those days, there was a consistent pattern with relatively few AF days.

On the positive side I guess I'm still at a small fraction (well maybe half) of where I was this time last year, and less than half of what I was pre-TSM. With summer well over and nothing too much happening in the way of holidays, family events etc, I'm hoping consumption will drop again.

I've just ordered a 're-up' from All Day Chemist, so hopefully that'll arrive reasonably soon. I should have enough Nal for another month or so in any case.

About the only positive I've noticed is that when I'm out in company I'm consistently the slowest drinker in the group - which certainly wasn't the case pre-TSM. On the flip side though I still notice that once I get to a certain level I have a desire (not overwhelming, but still there) to keep going. I'm not really too sure whether to ascribe that to alcohol, or just wanting to extend the night a bit - the people I'm out with would tend to be out more often than me, so maybe I don't pace myself in the same way. I dunno. Thinking out loud really.

14TR, I just read your old introductory post. What a story. I can identify with the single father and lots of other aspects of your story. You've been posting here for a long time and you seem to have gotten some benefit from TSM although maybe not as fast/complete as you would like. That said, your reduction from pre-TSM numbers is significant and your posts cogent and entertaining. Thanks for staying active.

Been a while since an update

I'm 'stuck' in a funny place really. I don't think about alcohol much, and by most standards I have control over my drinking. It certainly doesn't have negative day to day consequences on my life anymore - which is not something I could say before.
That said, my numbers have remained fairly stubbornly high - about 40UK units a week (about 40% above 'safe' guidelines here) - for the last 4 months or so.
I don't drink Monday to Thursday anymore (I used to be a daily drinker), but Friday to Sunday I typically drink each night - but at (relatively) low levels - a few drinks and a takeaway after work on a Friday. Meet some friends for a few pints on a Saturday, and a family dinner with wine with parents and siblings on a Sunday.

I still keep my numbers, and I still take my nal before drinking (although I must confess that I haven't always observed the 1 hour rule, and even on 2 occasions drank a very small amount (glass of champagne) without taking it at all. Sky didn't fall in )
I'm not going to obsess about the trend anymore - if I never 'improve' from here, I'd be ok with that I guess. I'll keep following the program (trying to be more disciplined about the 1 hour rule!) and see what happens. I'm just about 18 months in now.

I know it doesnt make it right but that type of drinking is probally typical of 60 to 70% of drinkers in this country and I dont think any of them would consider themselvs problem drinkers.

1-4, remember Sinclair's patients saw reductions even 3 years out so if a further reduction is your goal it may still happen. Also, your starting point was a lot higher than Sinclair's sample which started with 37 average drinks per week. I think your change from a daily drinker to a weekend drinker is a sign of a positive change. You mention you have no negative consequences from your drinking any more. That is probably more important than the number of drinks per week you are consuming. Thanks for coming back and posting your long term experience.

Hi One 4
Good to hear from you. I agree with Mario in our culture your current drinking would not be considered as abnormal which of course doesn't make it safe. This country is being lead by high functioning alcies!
I can identify with the 'stuck place' as i am in a similar place. i admire your persistence with recording numbers as at least you are not relying on your own impressions of levels. I also understand the way we can get a bit sloppy about allowing the amount of time or taking a chance without nal. So well done on your stickability and keep up the good work! Maybe if some of our leaders had tried tsm a couple of years back we might not be in the financial mess we are in in this god forsaken country!