G4M,

The person you were thinking of, who didn't see results until week 13, was Camelia.

Hi! " and then there's Maude!" LOL, me. I didn't see any results until the 4th month or so if i am recalling properly. The whole thing is to keep it up long enough to be able to say and feel that you are giving it a really good chance. It takes time and patience which is not my forte. Best wishes for progress!

Hi Happy, Waiting and Going

Long time no internet!

I am updating with the monthly total idea and was pleasantly suprised so agree that is the way forward. Would recommend to others at a similar stage as I was very suprised I was making so much progress actually. As you all are too! I hope also that it will kick in a bit more soon and my deesire for a drink will decrease dramatically . This week I have been a bit rubbish for no apparent reason (although discounts for 6 bottles of wine at shops may have played a role). Some of you may have seen me mention to Marbella that I was in a happy little cycle of tab then drink (very happily )and not using any will power at all. I then had 4 AF days and I think it helps your mind or something. I am trying to use it (willpower) some more now and have a few AF days each week. but have been rubbish this week so far for above mentioned reason. Although at the same time I am also not wanting to " try" to hard if you know what I mean as I know you need to drink for the NAL to work. I guess we all find our own balance. I know that I just physically feel so much better with a few days off!
anyway - onwards and upwards all us wonderful people - this really is working for us all. Cool isn't it!

Hi All,

Not a bad week. . .not a great week. I seem to be hovering at, or just over, 50 upw. This is still 20 or 30 less than pre-Sinclair, and now that I'm doing monthly summaries I can see what real progress that is. My BF's drinking is down by at least half - he's not keeping a drink diary, but it's obvious that we're buying about half the amount of beer that we used to.

Actually my consumption would have been down by several more units this week except for two things. One, I had a bunch of people stop by unexpectedly on Sunday with food in hand, and we started pouring in the early afternoon. Two, I got a call from a friend reminding me of a special seafood dinner she was hosting that evening - and that particular friend specializes in wine parties. She had a bottle there that she knew I would love. . .and I did. Before she called, that evening had been headed toward AF. One night I planned an AF to make up for those days, but didn't make it past suppertime.

Ah well, onward and DOWNWARD!

Hi G4M!

Once again - we seem to be following a similar pattern. Maybe we were twins in a former life.

When those sudden social situations crop up, I don't think anyone here should abstain, and I wouldn't even try. I also wouldn't feel bad about it. Unless your goal is total abstinance, isn't NORMAL social drinking what we want to acheive? The thing I could never handle with the idea of quitting was the thought of never being able to party with my friends again. Forget it - that's like asking me to stab myself in the heart!

No matter what, I wouldn't miss the chance to enjoy good friends and fine wine just to end up with 'good numbers' - life's too short! And I think the number of units/AFdays/whatever isn't as important as a gradual decline in the cravings, and in the ability of alcohol to rule your life. Don't you agree? I think we're both doing great!

I totally agree. Once I began looking at progress in the terms of units per month, I realized I AM making real progress. While I very much desire some lifestyle changes - insofar as getting back to healthier pursuits on a more regular basis - I don't want to miss out on the rich social life that can accompany moderate drinking. When I abstained all those years, every time there was a grown-up party (rare), it was as though the tee-totallers were trying to pretend they were having a 'really great time.' Truth was. . .there seemed to always be 'something' missing. Most of my friends back then were fundamental Christians (bless their souls - most still are my friend), and while we did enjoy many good times together - during times of real celebration there was a distinctly false air. Everyone was expected to always be on their best behavior, as a 'testimony' to their/our faith.

Heck, even Jesus turned water into wine for a marriage feast!

On another note. . .today was a red-letter day, and I just want to share. A crooked business that I went into a contract with a couple of years ago used the contract to take my business down (they wanted my market to themselves). Though I had been running a highly successful, profitable business for many years, within a few months, they forced me into bankruptcy. That same company then vehemently tried to force me into a Chapter 7, whereby I would be forced to sell my only remaining asset (my home), and they were like vultures, waiting to pounce on the proceeds of the liquidation. I initially hired an entirely incompetent lawyer (my regular attorney had a conflict of interest), and despite the fact that I had/have A VERY GOOD CASE, he messed things up to the point where nobody could figure out what the h*ll was going on. I've been in and out of court on this for almost two years. Even my opponent's attorney has privately expressed sympathy to me.

Three months ago I fired that attorney, and my previous one (on the QT) suggested one from a nearby large city. This young guy is a true rainmaker. Today, against all odds, we went into court and successfully defeated every ploy the opponent's side had launched. I'm now successfully into a Chapter 13 repayment plan. . .I can keep my house. . .AND!!! My new attorney's firm is going to pursue a lawsuit against the company that deliberately did me in. They were in SUCH blatant breach of contract, on so many fronts, that I couldn't believe my former attorney didn't follow this course in the first place.

I'm breathing freely for the first time in a VERY long time! (And I'm telling myself, "See? There really IS a God. . .)

Yee-haw!!!!

Wow - I'm SO happy for you!

After all you've been through, and all your hard work, I can't think of anyone more deserving of a victory like this. I wish I could be there to celebrate with you! Congratulations!!!

Great good news G4M re crooked business saga .
Those kind of things with unpredictable but nasty consequences that drag on for years are particularly dreadful to go through , (what a bunch of shites they must be ).
Now the relief must be enormous , and especially against the background of the positive things going down with tsm for you .
Best wishes .

Thanks, guys. You're right. This is the start of a whole new day. . .and I couldn't be happier or more optimistic.

G4M,

It's great to hear you say those words - I'm hoping that what you've said is contagious.

Good on you!

V.