On smoking? I quit smoking cigarettes April 2003. I forgot the exact date, I just remember doing it. I smoked for 17 years and I quit. That gives me hope for TSM. Funny, I drink like a fish and never bum smokes. Blackouts, no smoking. I couldn't imagine smoking a cigarette.

I do smoke a fine cigar every couple of months and have a pipe I love to smoke on camping trips. But that's it. Those things are all taste really. No inhaling and only done sparingly.

Are there any non-AA forums out there?

Curi

Here. Mywayout.org seems to be friendly to everyone. I think Agent Orange has a discussion forum, search forum http://www.orange-papers.org/

The Orange Papers are pretty interesting things to read. The guy has an agenda, but his research is right. His focus is primarily why AA is evil, ineffective and Bill W was the anti Christ. I wish he would post something about TSM.

I completely agree with the OP. I was one of the original members of this community and while I owe alot to this community for its support while I was going through the TSM, I have moved on. Alcohol simply is not an issue in my life any longer.

From time to time, I drop in here just to see what's going on and if any of the old timers have posted. I also enjoy posting to encourage others who are just starting that the TSM does work and it works long term.

Those who hang around and post on the AA and soberrecovery sites do so because it is part of their ongoing sobriety. They are still all very much addicted to AL and therefore need support to maintain control of this addiction. Such is not the case with those who have completed TSM. The craving, and therefore the addiction, are gone.

So, those of you who wonder why us "old timers" aren't around much, consider this a good thing. One day, you won't need this community any longer. The addiction of AL will be a distant memory. How good is that!

Q

Thanks Q - that's inspirational for me right now.

This is all encouraging information ~Q~ and heavy-fuel! I can't wait to see how I progress over the next 3-6 months.

Last year, my wife told me to go see her Doctor that also went to her church ( warning ). She told me he was our age and is cool. She told me to be honest. When I finally seen him he asked how much I drank and his draw promptly hit the floor. His only response was TWO MISTER from now on! He didn't prescribe me anything and sent me on my way with a $140 bill!

It seems in my state of Ohio has become the bible belt. In my experience I have noticed how medical/addiction professionals can't seem to leave their puritanical upbringing at their office door. Science seems secondary when it comes to our affliction. Or, the tired old ways of AA prevail. Any-type of science or technology evolves over time. Not AA nor the same tried advice from physicians but for some reason this is acceptable in America. The again I shouldn't be surprised when our last President thought dinosaurs and man existed at the same time.

Man, it's great to hear from vets like Q. Gives much hope.

There are some nice discussion boards and 24/7 chatrooms on Smart Recovery. Plus some good mind-over-problems tools. They don't really favor TSM or naltrexone, but I get support there w/o needing to say what my path is. Positive people there -- the very opposite of AA.

They have some long-term moderate drinking threads, so you KNOW it's not AA.