Two more successful nights with just 25mg Nal - first one was social evening out, had two fruit cocktails with small amount of vodka in them. Didn't bother me at all. Last night started on half a bottle of wine left in fridge, ended up pouring it away after the first glass. Not interested, felt tired some of which was the nal, some of which late night previously so went to bed early.

It's a success and I feel very happy about it!

Wasn't sure where to put this, so thought I'd do it here.

I have to report that I had a 'spike' last night, it was pretty scary but I've managed to get it into perspective and still believe nal is working for me.

Basically I drank 2 bottles of wine and was charging through it like nobodys business. I took an extra 50mgs partway through, on top of the 25mg I had 1 hour before starting, in the hope it might do something. With hindsight I should have probably left it as it was.

This morning I was a bit thick headed so had a lie in. Felt terrible but now I've had chance to think about it I feel better. Why?Well here's the analysis;

I actually only drank around 15 units, pre nal 9 times out of ten I'd exceed 20 units and often go past 30 in one session.
By the last glass I was fed up, pre nal I'd have just been drinking myself into a blackout - last night I stopped when I got bored.
I did not blackout, or do anything stupid.
When I awoke I did not want to continue drinking and have not had any cravings since then, pre nal I'd be sorely tempted to continue.
Finally I have been building up to a special event for me, an event where I'll be in everyone's eye and under the microscope a little. I have been excited and nervous about it for some time. It's pretty close now and I think this was the reason for the spike. I'm pretty sure now I've 'drunk' through it on the Nal, that this will extinguish that trigger type-link.

Although you're right to reason that this spike wasn't particularly harmful or dangerous, I would caution that it might just be related to the 25 mg dose. I have experimented with 25mg myself and although sometimes (when not feeling particularly triggered) it works just fine, it is also a lot easier to drink through and thus get myself into a pickle. For what it's worth...
EL

New stage to report in my TSM journey.

I've had 7 days AF without intending to, or thinking about it. There's been many reasons to drink, but I can stomach the thought of the taste of alcohol. I'd love my old escape back, to say 'sod it' to the world - but I can't physically hold a drink to my lips. There is wine in the fridge, and it's been there since my last spike (my last drink was socially a week last night)........just don't want it in my body.

It's good whatever is happening even if I am suffering mentally ie can't/don't want to have my release.

I'm thinking of visiting my counsellor to try and sort out this current wanting escape, but don't want it thingy!

UK: Let us know what alternative escapes you come up with! It's great that you are doing so well AF.

Glass of wine last night, didn't bother me at all and 50mg Naltrexone taken approximately 3 hours beforehand. Got zero buzz, no desire to get drunk, went to bed happy bunny.

Quick update for those who are interested. First is that Christmas and New Year were a success for me. I appear to have drunk like a normal person, think 4-5 glasses wine Christmas Day, one small beer lunch NYE, 4 glasses wine across the evening (1 aperitif, 2 glasses with dinner, 1 glass fizzy at midnight) for New Year, same New Years Day.

Only point of note is that I really get a bit fed up of Nal and Alcohol after 2 or 3 days, feel flat with funny taste in mouth. Lesson there is do I really need to drink?No I don't and I get on with some AF days - like 4 at a time without a thought. I have bottles of wine and beer in the house and it doesn't bother me one jot!

Dosing has been 50mg if drinking in the evening, or if I know I'm having alcohol with lunch I'll take 25mg mid morning, then another 25mg 1 hour before dinner or drinking in the evening.

Second interesting development is that my GP (Personal Dr in the UK), has given me repeat prescriptions for the next 12 months. They can only prescribe one month in one go, but all I need to do now is go to my pharmacy and they'll give me my supply when I need them. She's done this with the support of the local Drug and Alcohol team who say there are no known problems with long term prescribing for opiod abuse, so shouldn't be any for alcohol use - they just have to monitor my liver every 6 months.

Plenty of progress.

You are doing great! Keep up the good work and keep sharing the good news!

Hi UKB - thank you for continuing to post regular updates after you regained control. It gives some hope to those of us that are treading water a bit lately.

I also like your approach to varying your dosage when you know you are going to have a few during the day vs. at night. That's something I'd really like to do down the road.

Wishing you continued success in 2012!

-H

Last night very anxious, thought about going out and/or getting pissed. Took Naltrexone, got ready and waited the appointed 1 hour. By that time I couldn't be bothered having an alcoholic drink.

In AA they talk about cravings only lasting 40 minutes on average, although it wasn't an actual physical craving for me - just an urge or thought (thanks to what TSM has done for me), I think that 1 hour wait (if you can manage it) on it's own has benefits.