Hi Amy,
it's so true that heavy drinkers can spot each other! That is part of what I am dealing with now, trying to be careful when I hang out with my booziest friends, etc. And you know, I also have a problem with the label "alcoholic". And in the end, as long as you are trying to have a healthy relationship to alcohol, I don't think it matters if you accept the term or not. I am personally uncomfortable calling myself an alcoholic, although I think that if I had left my behaviour unchecked for a few more years I probably would have become one undeniably. But in the end, it's just a word. I find it more empowering to use a description that is not so DEFINING - I drink too much, I have a tendency to abuse alcohol, whatever, rather than saying I=alcoholic, as though it's your entire identity.
Anyways, food for thought. Good luck with everything!
EL

Hi Amy - I think you are doing great. Your units are still way down from pre TSM. By European standards you are nearly a normal drinker! Just keep popping the pill and one day you will fall out of love with alcohol.

OK People: I'm back, and I have something good to report. After I returned from Peru in April I felt like I drank like a house on fire: I was back to averaging 30 - 35 glasses of wine a week (a bottle plus a night) with one difficult AF day a week.
Also, I felt like the wine + NAL was affecting my mental sharpness and ability to perform in my work. Just started feeling sick of it.
Then, last Friday I joined Weight Watchers, which meant that I simply could not drink that much and still eat, and I have had no difficulty drinking much less this week. 13 glasses total and 4 AF days. And I feel better and I am into it. And as a bonus I lost 2.5 pounds.
In some ways, it feels like Weight Watchers point system is for me what mlb's goals are for him -- a framework to work within. For the first time, I have a sense that this is working for me. Because I know that Weight Watchers is not responsible for me being able to cut down considerably.
One other factor that i should probably mention is that my husband got gout 2 weeks ago, so he has had to really knock off the red wine and drinking in general. With him not running out and buying wine every night, it is much easier for me. No one is sticking it in front of me, so I can easily opt not to drink any. (Yes, he actually opens my white wine, pours me glasses and delivers them to me.)
It might be that gout + NAL will be my saving grace here.

Hi Amy

That's great news (except for your husband's gout!)
I hope things are still going really well for you.

Cheers
Sticky