Fantastic job Sobotka! Your progress is so motivating! It sounds like things are going so well for you and I'm sure your wife kids are seeing it. Well done.

Like I said last week, I have a goal of no drinking for the next few weeks so I can lose some weight and get in shape. Without a doubt the drinking caused me to gain some weight over the last 10 years. I am the type to guy who will eat anything and everything at the end of a good drunk. I haven't had a drink in 8 days. I had a few moments where I almost popped a naltrexone, but having a goal to lose weight is helping me stay focused.

I lost four more pounds this past week. My goal is to lay off the drinking until at least the 4th of July Holiday. If not, I'll take Nal and most likely stay in control. No worries.

Sobotka, sounds amazing! Very proud of you. (And a little jealous!!).
The strange thing I've noticed is that somehow, I don't understand how, drinking has never seemed to make me gain weight (and stopping drinking for weeks or months at a time has not caused me to lose weight). I don't know how it's possible, especially back in the days when I was drinking 750ml of bourbon in ONE NIGHT at times, but my body must have developed some kind of non-digesting mechanism or whatnot
But it's great that you have a tangible goal and benefit to not drinking like weight loss. It sounds like it will help keep you on track!
EL

Hello all -

Sorry it's been so long since I posted my progress. The company I worked for was sold to our competitor and my position was eliminated. I was able to find another job but had to move the family to another city/state. We moved on August 1st.

I've had a change in my how I go about the Sinclair Method. I have been taking 50mg of Naltrexone every single morning and drinking only when I feel like it or the situation calls for it. Overall my drinking is down to a point where it's not even worth talking about our keeping track of. I can RARELY think of a time where I drink more than three alcoholic drinks in a day. I am alcohol free most days of the week and have reserved drinking for an office happy hour (getting to know new coworkers) or family gatherings (Thanksgiving). I no longer stop at the bar on my way home because, frankly, it does not interest me. The few times I have stopped for a drink by myself, I usually have one and then leave. I leave because I'm just not that interested in drinking.

I don't know if the 50mg daily has any better effect than taking it 1 hour before drinking, but it has been working for me. I found a doctor who prescribes it for me and it only costs $10 per month with my co-pay. My goal is to take it daily until I hit the one year mark. At that point I'm going to start going to the 1 hour prior method in order to save pills and be medication free for the most part.

My biggest hurdle in the past was voluntarily not taking Naltrexone because I wanted to 'have fun' on that particular night. I would then start taking it again the following drinknig session, or sometimes, skip two or three sessions and start moving backwards from my goal of controlling my addiction. Now by taking it every single morning it's not even something I debate when going out with friends or co-workers becasue it's too late. The Nal is already in my system and I'm most likely not going to enjoy the alcohol. Also, my days of trying to overpower the naltrexone are behind me. I know that i can still drink in excess, but it's a different drunk and I'm just not that interested.

I promise to post more often and will check back more often. I've been so buy moving, starting a new job, getting my girls in a new school that life took over. All the best to everyone! This method truly saved my health, family, finances, and career!

Sobotka,

Wow, what a wonderful story, and thank you for updating your thread! With all the changes in your life, it would be easy for you to not take the trouble to let people know how things worked out for you, and not move you to the "Cured" list. I think of the TSM forum as a kind of "waiting room"...a bunch of TSMers milling about, chatting, swapping stories, and waiting to be Cured, and stories like yours provide much-needed information and hope for us all. I read your posts from the beginning and found your honesty, clarity & detail helpful and inspiring! Good for you, giving TSM a chance again, and arriving so quickly at such a good place.

You GO, boy!

Chrissie

Nice of you to check in Sobotka! Happy to hear that your progress is still stunning, and that despite the loss of a job you were able to find a new one. Congrats on being on top of everything!
EL

Hi Sobotka

Well done on your fantastic progress with TSM. It's inspirational for old-timers and newbies alike. You must be feeling (and looking) a picture of health!

Cheers
Sticky

Greetings fellow TSM'ers!

2011 was an interesting year but I have no regrets. I haven't had a drink since our company holiday party on Monday, December 12th. I managed to abstain during the Christmas and New Year's holiday. My girls are on winter break so I have been off work for almost two weeks (the wife took a week off as well) and we've been enjoying the fun holiday type things to do in our new city (ice skating, light displays at the zoo, indoor playgrounds, etc.) I definitely intend to drink again, but the moment hasn't really presented itself over the last couple of weeks.

I still take 50mg of Naltrexone every morning and the cravings are basically gone. I still get the desire to go to the bar, hang out with others, eat some bar food and drink a few beers... but it hasn't been motivating enough to make me get up and leave the house for it.

I'm managed to lose over 20 pounds and focusing on getting enough sleep, eating relatively healthy, and working out each morning. I also think that having some kind of daily structure in place really helps. My life isn't so chaotic from the late nights leading into sleeping in with incredible hangovers. Things have a nice pace to them.

Happy New Year!

Congratulations! It's really motivating to learn others are having such great success! May you have a happier 2012!

Congrats! Glad to hear things are still amazing for you, TSM-wise! it is interesting that you still take 50mg every morning though - that really isn't what is recommended in the book, right? I would worry that it would create some sort of low-level mood disruption, but obviously if it works for you, that's great.