Thanks for the encouragement guys! Yes, I think there are a lot of factors in the "flat" feeling - and I guess the test will be to see how I feel after my defense (hopefully great!!) and how alcohol+nal affects me then. I anticipate my units going up in the next few weeks as there are lots of celebrations. But I'm ok with that - not only is it part of TSM, but I also don't necessarily have a problem with drinking more than 2-3 drinks in one sitting for a major event (I only get my phd once, right?? Hopefully the nal won't make me feel too yuck.
Yesterday was an easy AF day, sore throat helped, but I remember the time, not that long ago, when I would only do an AF weekend night if I was already hungover. Small progress, but progress nonetheless!!

Weekly recap: 17.5 drinks, 3 AF days, drinks mostly concentrated on Wednesday and Friday evenings (this final distribution is quite typical). A bit more than during the nal honeymoon, but quite a bit less than my pre-TSM days, and more importantly, I felt totally in control every occasion drinking except one (wednesday night, where I would totally have kept drinking if not for sheer willpower and moderation management). Generally, I seem to be quite sensitive to the nal, which is good for drinking less, but bad for feeling yucky. Hopefully the latter will pass and not the former
Interestingly enough, I planned to have Sunday be my fourth AF day, but because I felt so in control of my drinking on the nal, I decided I could totally have a couple drinks with dinner (about 3 units). It was great, and it really made me feel like a normal (sane, spontaneous, rational) person and drinker. Hallelujah. So even though units are a bit up, I think control is up as well.
EL

You are doing great ElectraLou - Keep on keeping on.

Is your PhD presentation today? I think that's what you mentioned in your 'newbie thread'

If so - I hope it went well Dr. Electra. Have a great time tonight. Have a drink for everyone on this board.. I was going to say be careful but you know what you're doing. You're the one in control. You can beat this monster. Even if it all gets a bit hazy, don't let it beat you.

Wishing you a great night.

Andy.

Thanks Andy but you are a wee bit premature - my PhD defense is Wednesday morning, at 11:30am. So currently I am stressing bucketloads
But I anticipate it will go well in the end, and then I will have some drinks later that night. Like I said, not planning on actively moderating but will of course take the nal. I'll let you guys know how everything goes!!
EL

Best of luck! You'll kill it.

Here goes the PhD defense...!!! (and to think that once upon a time, I thought I'd have to have a drink before it to make it through!!! no chance of that happening today lol)

Good luck E-Lou. I'm sure you will knock it out of the park. Tonight's extinction session will be a once in a lifetime. The "after-defending-the-dissertation" extinction session.

Good Luck EL

Thanks guys!!!!! PhD obtained! Defense a success!!!! That's Doctor EL to you
And you're right...tonight is probably my biggest trigger ever, so it's good that I've got the nal!