Thanks, friends!

Hey Tiller,

Just wanted to say hi and thanks for your enouragement on my thread. I really relate to your "erosion" not "destruction" remark, as well as the nagging, depressive emotion of not feeling connected fully with kids, partners, friends, and life in general. BLaaaaaaahhhhhhh....right?? I don't think I even know what it's like to be a happy, content, full-on engaged person at all. But I have faith that as the addiction is erased we will learn or relearn how to enjoy our relationships.

warm wishes,

DEja

Hey Tiller, how is it going for you these days? I always enjoy your comments & insights.

Chrissie

Thanks for asking, Chrissie.

Well, last night was intriguing. I took a nal (75 mg) and felt uninterested in drinking for much of the evening when I normally would have started in by about 6pm. But I had no serious craving.

Then my wife and I had a fight. Still went awhile without interest in booze.

Finally, around 8:30, I had a glass of wine. Followed by vodka. 8 units total, which is the high end of typical for me.

Wife and I made up this morning.

So, I've never really had the big honeymoon some people report but I have noticed the change in the feeling/reaction to booze common with nal. I take that as a sign that nal may work for me. Would like to have more "reduced interest" evenings. Feels to soon to push for an AF day.

I have other "projects" I need to work on in my journey to better health. I want to mix some meditation in when I get home from work and more exercise. Both are so hard to do with kids and work and travel!

The subjective changes are just as important as the reduction in drinking units, I think. After a while, the pull towards alcohol becomes weaker and it is much easier to have an AF day or an evening with just a couple of units. You'll probably know when the right time is to exert a bit of willpower.

I envy Sinclair's rats, who didn't wonder when they'd get cured...they just DID. It seems everyone has a different experience w/ nal, from side effects, to rates of progress - it's all over the map, from slow & steady, to sudden break-throughs.

you'll get there!
Chrissie

I agree with Chrissie, TSM is different for everybody. It takes what ittakes--as long as it takes.

Tiller, I did not experience a honeymoon period either and I have definitely made great progress especially after the 7th month.

I think you are doing the right thing with busying yourself with projects and rituals. You'll get there!!!

The road is long so hang in there bud-bud,

Ketchikan1

Hey, Tiller! I appreciate your support.

Been looking at your numbers, when you have your AF day, you will enjoy it!!! After taking nal for so long, some things were very intense.

As Ketch pointed out, this takes as long as it takes. I took a nal tonight and am on my second glass of wine. One with dinner, just poured another one. No faster than normal, no slower. But the past two days I was AF, with no cravings. Today, I wanted wine with dinner. So, I did. TSM is incremental and slow, but it's permanent. So hang in there buddy!

Take care!

Hi Tiller, I've been reading back over your progress, it looks like you are doing just fine. The things is, the longer and harder we drank, the longer and harder it is to regain control, so be patient.

Is there a chance that part of your daily drinking is habit? Would you try an AF day? If it doesn't work out, there's nothing lost, just take your Nal and have your drinks, but it might be worth a try? Some of the tips in this thread might help you get through it. viewtopic.php?f=17&t=2581

Nal on!

Curi

Thanks for checking in, Curi.

I wish it was just habit. But the cravings I get each evening feel more like addiction. It's especially strong on Monday nights after that first day back at work. Last night I hunkered down with a movie and dinner and bourbon (7 units).

I've been trying to switch to beer but it's just not as appealing. And my willpower isn't there yet.

All that said, I'm not drinking as much as I often used to before TSM, so that's a good sign. In the past I would sometimes go 10+. Almost never get past 7 now.

I've also been trying glutamine off and on with hopes of it curbing the cravings -- not much effect so far but I'll keep with it anyway.

I had one night of just 3 units and felt great the next day. Going to try for that again this week. An AF day seems over the horizon at the moment.

I think I'm just one of the more "hard wired," daily drinker types. So I guess it's going to take its time...