BTDT - Look at you! Wow, I'm three months behind you and I am amazed at your progress. We drank about the same units pre TSM, but now you are having AF days and your drinking has really dropped off. Great job. I'm still drinking about the same in week 6, but I feel something is different. Can't quite put my finger on it, but something has changed. I can get easily distracted from my usual sitting in the chair at 4:30 p.m. and drinking. We shall see.

Half

a/k/a Cindy

Thanks everyone for your comments! I hope my progress continues and I am grateful to post hopeful results for others to share.

St Jude, I'd love to do a trend line but I'm not sure how. If I figure it out I may soon. I think I lost my math skills to too much drinking

Yogagirl, I really do relate. For me the triggers are stress and boredom or monotony. I've spent way more time riding horses recently and find that this commitment make me want to drink less. Nothing fun about riding with a hangover...

Inspired and Sticky, I'm glad you are able to get your AF days. This is great progress!

Half a glass of wine, based on my experience it seems like what you are feeling is real. Sounds like it is working for you!! These subtle differences helped me stick with it during those early weeks. Good luck!

So far I am two days into my 20th week and I'm 2 days AF BTDT

BTDT,I am so happy for you,now how exactly did that happen,that big sudden drop?I haven't been here for a long time but i used to follow your progress because you started just a few weeks before me and seemed to be similar as regards progress happening very slowly.
Anyway,i love your graph,I've been feeling optimistic today but now i'm even more optimistic.
BTDT,I'm wishing you the best.I feel you're almost there.

cheers phoenix

Hi all,

Well, I'm not out of the woods yet. After my one week of abstinence, my drinking has been steadily picking up again. My week ended with a two day binge and I am feeling HORRIBLE today I feel shame, intense self-loathing and of course physically like garbage!! I can't wait for this nasty hangover day to be over. I could use some virtual HUGS. I wish I had better news to share.

But, it has given me to final push to try for complete abstinence.

Subconsciously, I wonder if I didn't overdo it on purpose to give me the motivation to quit completely. I wasn't enjoying drinking but I felt compelled to go for broke. Truth is my greatest week on TSM was the week I didn't drink anything. I was happy, had energy, slept well (after the first two nights) and was able to really enjoy my family. I really didn't miss the alcohol and the only reason I drank again was to participate in New Years. Even then, I was pretty indifferent and could've gone without. But once I got back in the habit of drinking again, it started to have increasing appeal.

I think the easiest way for me to break the habit is just cut it out all together. Now that the cravings aren't intense, I hope this week is as effortless as my last AF week.

Wish me luck!! BTDT

BTDT, I wish you success in your goal of abstinence. If the alcohol deprivation effect starts to build always keep the nal on hand if you do drink. If you look at Sinclair's subjects (thanks Merlot for pointing this out) it took them more like 9 months to get a 75% reduction in their units. They saw around 50% reductions at the 5 month mark where you are now and they started from lower numbers. I wish you well.

BTDT, don't beat yourself up. Your graph is still trending down. Even at 20 weeks I'm sure it's still a roller coaster ride for most people. I expect it will be for me too. I don't think I could handle a whole AF free week yet and you've already had 1 and you're going for your second one! I have a feeling that everything will be okay for you. good luck.

St Vincent and Tambo,

Thank you for your thoughtful responses. I will never, ever drink without taking NAL!! It is entirely possible that quitting will still be a challenge so I'll keep my pills on hand, just in case. I guess it will be interesting to see whether it is a struggle or easier than pre-TSM.

I really struggle to see my progress when I'm in the middle of a bad hangover But, all I have to do is look at the graph to see that it TSM working in spite of all my skepticism and doubts. Thanks to everyone for helping me through this rollercoaster experience!! BTDT

Don't get too disheartened. I completely lost hope at around week 20 or also, think it was around then that I started preaching how much BS TSM is. However, I've seen real changes the past 2 weeks (week 24, 25), I suspect that this week could be one of the lowest since I've started, and with no effort. I told you before xmas that I had intended to go completely abstinent in the new year. However, no I don't feel any effort to do so anymore (as if it were an option). So I'd stick with it...or if you're dead set on abstinence then fine, but if you don't manage be sure to obey the golden rule!

I echo the earlier responses--even your "binge" was nowhere near your preTSM numbers. Can totally empathize with feeling down and disappointed (especially after doing so well for so long). I know it's hard to focus on the positive when you're feeling like crap, but Hang in there!!

Z9.1 and st Jude,

Thanks for your support. I really don't weather the tough days well. I felt better yesterday and have two AF days post binge. The 2nd day is usually a tricky one where the habit seems to give me more trouble than the craving. Especially if I've come off a string of drinking days. But when I ride it out I'm usually happy I did. I know I keep saying this but it does seem like the bad days lead to more good ones. This keeps the rollercoaster trending in the right direction. I'm feeling optimistic again

Thanks again! BTDT