No harm, no foul. Sure, some nay-sayer may review your post and say, "Ten drinks, it doesn't work." But that leaves out the fact that you rarely do what you used to do three nights a week; didn't act like a jerk or blackout; and it didn't result in a multi-day binge. It's no different than what "normal" people your age do on a regular basis and these others -- who have no history of abuse -- would not receive a second thought from the nay-sayers. There is no need to hold we "cured" folks to a higher standard of perfection now that we drink like others and our brains have been rewired by naltrexone. We are not at risk. The reason "recovered" people receive raised eyebrows from everybody when they drink is because they are headed to near-certain disaster after one drink. This is no longer an issue when you no longer crave alcohol through TSM.

It's great to go out, flirt and have fun but have complete control, isn't it?

I agree with Nick - "normal" people without drinking problems will sometimes drink 10 drinks in an evening. Rarely, granted, but sometimes. The behaviour is less problematic than the feelings behind it I think (the craving, what I call "the clutchiness" around alcohol).

I follow your experiences with extra interest because not only did we start this journey at the same time, but you are a lot more social and go out more than I do, which I anticipate doing more of as I shed my fat suit. I have some trepidation/fear about my ability to "control" myself when I'm out in bars/clubs, I was queen of the nighttime social scene pre-TSM & massive weight gain and drinking was a big part of that. That's why I've hesitated declaring any status, even though I really do feel like i have regained control. I agree with you, it's the mental part that can be the toughest on us-you've been doing so well for so long so all of a sudden one "crazy" night takes on much more import than it would have months or even weeks ago. Stay focused on the big picture and how far you have come in 7 months, it's a whole different life

Hi Tambo,

Its sounds like you had a great and very successful night. These are the kind of nights that really highlight how great TSM is- to be able to go out and have a bit of a blow out but yet still keep control is amazing. Its important, particulary when we are still fairly young (and single) to have the option to have these kind of nights and other treatment methods would just never enable the recovering alcoholic to do this.

Anyway... more importantly I am glad to see you are getting the female attention you deserve! You come across as such a great guy in your posts and I've been rooting for you to get snapped up by a nice young lady. I've produced the first TSM baby so maybe you can have the first TSM wedding (no pressure). Kidding aside- just imagine how much better your next relationship will be without the alcohol. As St V says its much easier to look suave without the booze. I was a nightmare when I was dating and drinking. On one of my first dates with my husband I fell out of a cab drunk as I was going to meet him. Turning up drunk was my style those days. Anyway... I fell out of the cab and chipped half of both my front teeth off. I still turned up for the date with teeth in hand. Drunk, Irish and toothless is not a good look- I was really pandering to the Irish stereotype that night! Anyway amazingly he did not run a mile but took me to the emergency dentist. He was a keeper and we can laugh about those times now!