Last night....

Huge day at work. Biggest and most stressful day of the year. Had to do a speech in front of about 1400 people. Last year at this time, I was hanging by a thread and then I checked into rehab.

Last night all went well. Post-event social. Had 2 light beers. Stopped cold and had conversations with coworkers for about an hour. No gripping. Got home, small talked with wife for about 30 minutes. Considered going to bed, but was so pleased with the night, I wanted to stay up and have a few. 4-6 units more and sleep.

The fact that I weighed the decision to continue drinking or not is a miracle. Before NAL, if I had 2 drinks, we were off to the 12-15 units no matter what and a passout.

All the best to everyone.

Congrats! what a success!
EL

Ditto. Well done JDog! A lot of this process is about a collection of all the small victories. I wish you continuing success.

Hi JDog

I haven't followed all of your story but just reading that you had to speak to 1400 people made me in awe of you, let alone your reduction in drinking. Well done!!

Cheers
Sticky

Hello all,

Kind of a big night last night 10 units. Oh well...

Well, big news of the day, I wrote my brothers an email and told them where I am at in the TSM journey. Predictably, my one brother thinks, "You are grasping at straws..." but I kinda expected that. I'm having them over later today. To refresh memory, I have two brothers who are my best friends and the absolute best, but I have kept them in the dark until now. I told my mom and dad earlier.

I just wanted to get it out in the open. I didn't want them finding bottles around my house or something like that. I'll update later. Finally a sunny warm day here in Canada!!!!

Happy Canada Day jDog from a fellow canuck. Best of luck with the brothers, hopefully they will support you.

Awesome news!

If your brothers want to speak to someone who has regained control, I'd be happy to talk to them. If you would like my number, just PM me.

Hello All, a good news post!

I had a big family picnic yesterday with booze everywhere. In the past couple of years, this has been a disaster situation, with a couple of parties where my wife almost had to leave me behind, arguments on the way home, etc.

Well I considered not drinking but decided that this sunny July day to kick off summer was a good time to work through a, "trigger". So I had my nal, and probably had 7-10 units over the afternoon. The good news is that I maintained a totally clear head, mixed in several big drinks of water (which I never did before), made sure to tell my wife to drive home, and didn't embarrass myself at all. I can't say for sure, but I doubt any of my relatives would have thought I was intoxicated. As well, my mom and dad had a great time, and didn't worry about me at all. In past situations like this, I know that they would fear for me and dreaded the inevitable end to the party for me...and the embarrassment to my wife.

So party ends, wife drives home. I would always end a day like this by topping it off with several more units and a pass-out on the couch. I don't think my wife would have been that upset since the picnic went well.

Then the miracle occurs. We were halfway through a TV show that we both wanted to finish. As I get ready to pour myself a strong one, I realize that I really don't want it at all, what I really wanted was a big drink of water. So I have a huge drink of water, watch the rest of the show, have another glass of water and go to bed happy. I could not believe that I was able to do that. I told my wife, she says, "Did you tell your friends on the Board?" I know that this is coming to an end in the next few months. (I am trying to be patient and not get ahead of myself).

My units are high, but there is some massive changes happening in my brain. That is for certain. I am so happy that I am able to go to functions like this, have a few drinks, and not pass out, not make an ass of myself. My last thoughts before I fell asleep was that this must be how a "normal person" drinks and feels on an event like this. I have never been able to understand how someone could start to feel intoxicated and put the brakes on, stop and drink water. NAL is in the process of fixing my brain, so that I can be, "normal". I always follow the Golden Rule and will for life.

Thanks to all for the encouragement and thanks Nick. I'm interested to see what my one brother thinks of this whole TSM thing. He's a pretty smart guy and open-minded. He was certainly skeptical at first but he did say, "It sure seems to be working for you..." I will update.

This is EXACTLY how it went for me. Gradual control with still too many units but the elimination of hangovers and blackouts. It will get better and better with a few bumps in the road. Eventually, there will be no bumps. THIS IS PROOF POSITIVE it's working! Awesome news.

JDog, it sounds like good things are happening for you. Next 4th of July it could be you driving your wife home from the party and you will be sober. Glad to read about the improvements you are experiencing.