I started with NAL last Wed.

I used to drink a lot more than I do now. 8 to 10 years ago I was drinking probably 100u/week. Since then I've consciously reduced my intake to about 40 to 50u/wk.

I feel comfortable with my progress in certain modes of my drinking but still have problems with others.

I used to drink from the moment I got home from work until I went to bed. I always went to bed drunk and often took a drink to bed with me, although I usually didn't drink much of it. When I would go out, I would drink until I was drunk and sloppy. Often used coke too, which allowed me to drink more without seeming messy.

Now, on a normal night, when I get home from work, I'll have a good strong drink (prob. 2u), then a weaker one, then to soda. If I go out with friends on a weeknight, I may have 3 or 4, maybe 5 but still stop and switch to soda at least an hour or so before bed.

Vodka & Soda is the drink of choice, btw. Anything else I can take or leave.

The drinking "mode" where I have the problem is what I call "Weekend/Vacation/Holiday". Once I start, I keep going. I completely ruined a recent vacation to an exotic location. Should have been the vacation of a lifetime with a group of friends celebrating my major milestone birthday. Spent lots of money, a year of planning.....and I only remember flashes of it. We hardly did any of things we'd planned, because I'd planned them and wasn't able to coordinate them. I put myself and those around me in danger multiple times. My partner and my friends had to take care of me most of the time. And my best friend is now no longer on speaking terms with my partner. (That's not completely my fault, I know, but had I been "there" I would have been able to buffer that.) They almost didn't allow me on the plane to get home.

And that's the pattern most weekends. And any time where there's more than 3 days to drink, it gets bad....like long weekends and vacations. I had another shorter vacation recently and had a similar incident although only a night and an afternoon. Still enough to realize that I wasn't able to handle these situations without help.

I'm not the abstinence type of guy...on anything. So I'm hoping this will work.

I started NAL on Wed. 1/4 tabs for 2 days. Now on 1/2 tabs. I sometimes feel high from the NAL. I tried a whole tab yesterday and my partner told me I looked wired. I'm sticking to 1/2 doses for the moment.

Hey Clay - Welcome!

Wow, can I ever relate to your issues with the Holiday/Vacation/Long Weekend disasters! I can't even count the times I've blown it in those situations, embarrassing others and myself, and often "ruining" very special occasions. The worst part of those times, was the pain I caused the most important people in my life. I truly believe that those times will become ancient history with TSM.

I'm really happy with my progress so far, even though it's taken quite a while for me to see a definite improvement. However, the summer/vacation season is just about here, and I'm still paranoid about holiday weekends like Memorial Day, etc. Based on when I started - (mid February), I haven't had the opportunity to start extinguishing the holiday binges.

It's impressive how much you've managed to cut down on your own. I'm sure TSM will help you get the classic binge scenarios under control if you give it time to work. We all wish you the best of luck, and we're glad you joined us!

Yes, welcome Clay! I do not have the same drinking pattern as you, I was unable to have the strength to cut down on my own, which you have done admirably. You should have commendations for that.

You are in the right place. The Sinclair Method (TSM) takes a while to accomplish. Consider we took years to get here, so we should be happy it only takes months to be cured! I will be beginning my 8th week tomorrow. My drinking pattern is getting quite erratic, probably due to the endorphin blockage. A couple of more months and I'll be free! For the first time in decades.

You will find a good place here to discuss your journey. It is overall an enjoyable journey, but at times we have our frustrating days; I know I have.

Welcome again.

Bob

Welcome Clay, I'm so glad you found us!

If you haven't already done so, I would highly recommend you read the book:

http://www.thecureforalcoholism.com

Thanks, guys. The support is great. I've always had a strong aversion toward the AA meeting route, but I like this forum concept.

Last night I felt wired after my 2nd 1/2 tab and had decided do just do half today. But realized I'd been drinking for more than the period that would be covered by 25 mg., so I took the other 1/2. Feeling a little floaty but not as bad as last night.

Have been making light cocktails all afternoon and will go to just soda in a hour or so. I find I'm able to actually make those decisions objectively on the NAL. I know, I'm in the early stage, but it is a fascinating journey.

Again, thanks for the support. And yes, I have bought the book and read parts of it. Will continue to do that and read people's post. My friends are skeptical but supportive. They've put up with me in bad states so they're taking a "wait and see" attitude....and hey, that's fine. So am I, really.

Hi Clay,

Just wanted to say welcome aboard from the other side of the pond!

Best wishes on your journey.

V.

Thanks for all the support. You guys are great.

Today, for the first time in ages, I arrived at work on a Monday morning....NOT hung over. Sure makes it easier to start the week. As I see the weekend coming to a close, I usually drink heavily on Sunday afternoon. Yesterday I made light drinks and switched to seltzer around 7. What a difference it makes.

I'm heading off to have drinks before a show now and I just took the NAL.

Welcome Clay! I hope that you enjoy the success that I have enjoyed because of what I think is an awesome way to change one's drinking life or eliminate it if that is what you want. I relate to you because I have been on extremely expensive vacations in the past with all the things a person could enjoy only to be unable to leave the room at times because I was so drunk the night before, etc. In the past I could not even sign traveller's checks because of being so saturated with alcohol. The last time that happened was 2002. I started this method in October 2008 and I live an entirely different life now. It is vastly better in every way! I wish you every success in your Sinclair method journey and you can check out my situation in the "Potato could you summarize your experience" thread. All I can say is " give it a go" . It is easy and you may find a good balance for your life. Best wishes.

I drank more than I should have last night. I only took half a tab of NAL. I think I have to go to the full dose now. I had to entertain guests at dinner and was afraid of the spacey, high feeling I'd gotten before on a full dose. (In retrospect that strikes me as funny because I remember entertaining guests at dinner many times when I was high on other substances. I guess my perspective's a little different now.)

I had 4 drinks at dinner and before and during the show. But after the show we went out and I had 5 drinks more when I only really needed (or wanted 2 to 3). That's a trouble spot for me. When someone's ordering drinks, I order one even if I'm not through with the one I have, or really want another one yet, especially if someone else is paying. And before you know it, you're on #5.

I need to find coping strategy for that. Maybe ordering a glass of water to drink along with the drink....or ordering the new drink, but not gulping down the one I have...just let the new one sit until I'm ready for it. Then I wouldn't order one the next round. But it's hard in a social setting like that to sip a drink....at least for me. After some time on the NAL, I'm hoping that these "impulse" decisions will be easier to make.