This is fantastic - sad to say, but true, I'm ecstatic about going to bed pre-midnight with > 10 beers left in fridge, and waking up in a dry bed capable of getting out of it to pee. Yes, I'm rat-arsed, and yes, and I'm paranoid about the incontinence which was starting to become a defining feature of my sad little life, but after an anticipated bender which actually came to some 21 units (according to my phone's log) I'm feeling pretty chuffed and hopeful again.

The beer started tasting bad after about 3 tins, continued to do so despite changing type a couple of times. Switching to vodka + tomato was scarily good until vodka ran out, but think that I may have been getting satiated with that too. Brought 3 beers intn study when wife wntto bed but didn't open any. No willpower or effort applied (just the oppsite- was ready to justify a night of debauchery on basis of scientific program)

Sorry if my drunken honest ramblings are offensive, they're not meant to be; hopefully in future they might help either someone else or me looking back on what I intend to be an anonymous alkie's log/diary. And, at this moment, not pissing the bed is actually a major achievement. Sigh!

BWD. Just got caught up on your story.

Please don't apologize for posting anything. It all contributes to helping those who come after us. I have totally benefited from all of the stories on this board, and we all need to do our part by posting our stories.

All the best to you. You've had an early positive reaction to NAL. I am a vodka guy, and if you can stay off the hard stuff, I would advise it. It seems to me that my vodka powers through the NAL on occasion and I go too far. Just my advice, take it or leave it.

I'm pulling for you. All the best. Please keep posting.

Thanks JDog - ah, the joys of drunk dialling(posting). I really appreciate your support and advice, especially about the vodka (and yes, I'm intending to take your advice ).

It feels as if I'm drinking in a very strange way at the moment. I rationally know that I'm not going to get the buzz, but my subconcious hasn't figured it out. Then,I find that it doesn't taste/feel good, but there's a sort of "programmed" thing where I go into "drinking mode". The great thing is that I've been able to turn it off! Roll on a few months and my brain giving up on turning the switch on in the first place.

Figuring out the number of units I could drink without feeling sick the next day has helped me control my drinking recently, I think to myself; I won't feel any more of a buzz if I drink more but I will feel sick tomorrow, it's not worth it. Maybe this could help you too?

Best

Curi

Congrats on staying dry And yes, don't worry, honesty is much appreciated on this board. Nal on!
EL

So, week 2, and just about identical to week 1 (51SD / 1AF). Seems odd though, I _feel_ as if I've drunk more - but still no unpleasant drunken surprises . I'm unconvinced about the logging app on my phone - not convinced that it's presenting the totals in a meaningful way (suspect it's trying be clever & extrapolate 'monday -> monday' figures instead of just adding 'em up). Got an [initial] appointment tomorrow at the local drug & alcohol team, it'll be interesting to see what they have to say or can offer - hopefully a Nal prescription!!

I use a spreadsheet over at moderation.org to count my drinks, if that helps!

I'm using an app on my phone which should make it Real Simple (hit the big button for what you're pouring down your neck - dead easy to use even when ratted!). That side of it works well - the problem is that it has some strange concept of "drinks / week" that it seems to feel a need to calculate instead of just adding 'em up. Shock horror, I've had to resort to going through with a calculator and adding 7 figures together!! Thanks for the tip EL, I'll take a look but will probably end up thinking about writing a simple app to do it, then getting distracted and never getting around to it so just keep adding them figures manually

On a more serious note, I've often played with the computers and written programs etc whilst drunk or stoned (and in fact subscribe to the idea that it does help creativity - sorry AA ). Now that I'm taking Nal, though, I tend to find that I just sit in front of the computer and feel incapable of doing anything requiring thought or concentration. Do other people find that, and if so is it because that's really how we are and we can see it without the endorphin buzz or does the Nal actually affect that part of us? Just curious..

Are you taking Nal everyday? Many TSMers have noted a spacey feeling on Nal when starting. This may inhibit your concentration for a few weeks. By the time you start implementing AF days, your concentration will most likely be back.

Taking Nal most days - I've had a couple of AF days, one of which I took Nal (wasn't sure I wouldn't want a beer) and one I didn't. I am getting a bit of the spacey feeling; haven't noticed any lack of concentration at work though.