Hi All,
So last night I cracked a bottle of friday night wine which is a normal thing for me, but that's usually just a starter. From there it goes to a few beers and shots and then the cursed Sat. morning/afternoon/evening hangover. But last night I just felt different. I took my nal an hour beforehand and the past several times I've taken it I've almost immediately started to feel unsettled in my stomach. But last night I took it and didn't really feel and ickiness. So I poured myself some wine and something was way different. Instead of trying to see how much alcohol I could get in my system in as short as time as possible I actually enjoyed it. I sipped, not gulped and took the time to enjoy the flavor which is something I haven't done in a very long time. I did end up finishing the bottle of wine but over the course of several hours and at no point did I feel drunk really. So today I wake up EARLY ... probably the first weekend I haven't been incapacitated either by drunkeness or hangover in several months. So obviously this was just a first time deal and I'm anxious to know if this is a good sign of things to come?

An initial change in drinking patterns is typical and is strong evidence TSM will work for you. Just follow the rule: Naltrexone, plus drinking, plus patience = regaining control. Don't be surprised when this honeymoon ends after your body adapts to the Naltrexone and your drinking returns to pre-TSM levels. It's all part of the process.

Hi Marmot - Good going. Those early subtle changes really help to keep focused on the long term goal....regaining control. I remember when I had the first experience of drinking and not getting drunk. It was delightful and filled me with hope. So, you are on your way.

Thanks. I'm just glad I had another response to nal besides getting sick. Gives me a little hope to continue on.

Hi Marmot

Good luck to you! If you've read a few posts you will know that you are in for the long haul and it will not all be easy. But this TSM is a miracle. Having been around AA for 17 years and never getting up more than 2 years' sobriety, this method is a God send. (And I don't believe in God in the religious sense!!) Hang in there.

I like your name -what made you choose it? My parents have a toy marmot from France, called Motty...

All the best
Sticky

Thanks Sticky. I too tried AA but honestly I felt horribly depressed going to the meetings. I'm they type of person that believes in not dwelling on things and always moving forward. It seemed that AA served to constantly remind people of their shortcomings and I also felt like it was almost felt like I was being shamed into something I didn't really feel passionate about. At any rate I've seen it work for a couple of people so more power to em.

My name is a bit random. I'm always camping and had a marmot tear into my tent not too long ago.

Hi Marmot,
You echo my feelings about AA exactly. It just didn't feel right for me and I left meetings feeling horrible and wanting to drink more than ever.
It is so frustrating to me that the medical community pushes 12 step programs as the only solution. My Dr. was not interested in learning about TSM and only presrcibed Nal for three months if I promised not to drink and seek a 12 step program.
I support anything that can help someone overcome the horrible demon of alcoholism and think all methods should be examined very closely - just look at the progress made with mental illness over the past several decades with new medications and education.

Doctors all across the country are violating their Hippocratic Oath by sending we addicts to AA and NOT EVEN MENTIONING Naltrexone or other pharmacological options. The only reason they are not being sued for malpractice left and right is because AA is "standard medical practice": so long as they send us to this "treatment" program -- with its paltry 5% success rate -- they are insulating themselves from malpractice claims. That being said, doctors all over the world should be ashamed of themselves.

A SHOUT OUT TO DOCTORS: This proven treatment option is viable and WORKS for the vast majority who try it. Moreover, Naltrexone is a benign drug with minimal side effects. By continuing to stubbornly cling to your view that the world is flat, you are relegating millions of people to a miserable life and, more often than not, an early death sentence. Shame on you.

Thanks Nick, you said more forcefully what I am feeling. You are spot on. I am a long way from "gaining control" but I am confident I am walking in the right direction and that I will find the success that so many of you TSM'ers have