Hey Nal:

I endorse what HF and others are saying.

You DO need to give yourself a break! But so many of us share the feeling you've expressed when we drink more than we want to and feel guilty and stupid about it. That's why we're working to regain control, just like you are.

You might give some thought to cognitive behavioral therapy techniques offered at smartrecovery.org. You don't have to follow their abstinence programs, but they offer effective ways to reroute your negative and sometimes obsessive thinking. There are ways of stopping yourself from going overboard and it's all very positive. No self punishment needed!

Lord knows none of this is easy. But please recognize that you are already making a big, positive change in your life through TSM. It's going to take time and patience but you can get get there! And keep asking for the support you need. You deserve it.

Hey there Tiller,

Thanks for the pointers. I'll definitely check out smartrecovery.org. Anything to quiet Mom.... the evil spirit living in my head. lol. Its all her fault, you know... double lol.... But all joking aside, I really appreciate the info your've given me. I wish you luck on your journey. Seems like you are making headway in all of this. I hope I can offer you support if you ever need some...

Take good care,

Hi NWO,

As moms we must stick together in this journey.

I haven't started NAL yet but can't wait.

I want to be a better mother and a good influence on everyone who crosses my path. (No i'm not a black cat!)

Deja

Hi Nalway

I'm a mum too and we need to beat this illness for our kids, partners (if they are around), parents and friends and of course ourselves!

I originally found TSM thru My Way Out. I managed to get a small supply of topamax but it isn't available in NZ unless you are epileptic, so that didn't work well. I found the sleep CDs good though. I thought people talked about losing weight with it too. But nal has been studied far more extensively and with what seems to be much greater success.

We alcoholics have all grown up feeling lesser than and not good enough. Well done on staying sober for 10 years! The longest I manged consecutively was 2. But the idea of being able to drink normally is sooo much better. To lose that obsession with alcohol and not feel "different" because we aren't drinking and most other people are sounds too good to be true but there is proof here that it works. It just takes time and for most of us a roller coaster ride before we get there.

Don't worry about posting after drinking. I've done it numerous times and I expect most of us have. Sometimes we open up more after a few anyway...

All the best
Sticky

Thanks Sticky and Deja,

Wow, its very cool to be conversing with another in NZ! This forum is wonderful. And thanks for the support. I'll be looking forward to recovery right along side both of you! I too am concerned about affecting my wonderful son. Such a good boy. He's 17 years old and shows no sighns of substance abuse. His grades are good and he's a happy person. So, my fingers are crossed that I can quietly recover with no ill effects on my family. Best wishes to you...

ya know, all of this Alcholholism aside. Arent we lucky we at least have our health???? I'm just now reflecting in the death of Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple. My god, he had so much going for him, yet in the end, it was his health that sealed his doom. When I think about it, arent we so lucky, arent we so fortunate to have the opportunity to better our lives. We are healthy, we are young, we can do this because we are willing and caring people. How really fortunate we are to have the opportunity to better our lives and the lives of our children.

Nal on,

Strange but wonderful thing happened to me today. I had no desire to drink at all. I felt slightly naseous from morning till night. I don't know if I'm reacting to the Milk thistle and L-Glutamine I've been taking for the past two days. I read on mywayout.org that the first supplement helps protect your liver and the second one helps with cravings. So I ordered some and began taking them. I have no appetite either. It could also be that I felt hung over from last night when I overdid things once again. But anyway, I'm so happy that for the first time in a very long time I chose not to drink.

Nalway
L glut is a really great anti-craving supplement. I've used it in the past when trying to rack up AF days.

Hi Katiesmiles

Thank you for confirming my humble attempt to figure out why this happened. I'm curious did you feel slightly nauseous like I did all day, or how did you feel on L-glutamine? And may I ask what dosage of L-glutamine you took. I can't say it was pleasant feeling nauseated all day, but definitely WORTH IT to have zero desire for alcohol.

Thanks

Hi Nalway

I used the ones I had from MWO, I don't recall feeling nauseous when taking it. 1000g cap twice a day and sometimes if I was really struggling, I would break one and put the powder under my tongue. It really did help keep those cravings at bay.
Some swear by the pure powder form where they take it by the teaspoonful.