Hi Blonde - well I can see that you are a little worried and confused about your recent episode and I would be too. Seems to come out of the blue eh? You are obviously able to just drink right through the naltrexone and go on to blackout.

But TSM has worked in that your brain pathways of "addiction" have been smoothed back into normal patterns which is what naltrexone is supposed to do. However, you said you made the decision to let your hair down and get tipsy right? And you did - you drank right through any stopping point just like you have done in the past.

So what to do now? I guess you have to make the decision for yourself but it would seem that you just can't do that either - I mean, you can't drink daily, and you can't let yourself "decide" to get tipsy when you want to - simply because naltrexone does not give you enough control.

Continue to take chances? Continue to moderate with good control and NO chances for binges? Abstinence? I don't know. It seems a little scary eh? How can you handle these stressful occasions when you are in new company? All I can do is sympathize and wish you well

I don't drink daily, don't want to so that one is solved immediately. Last couple of times I'd drank was just 1 or two glasses (in one instance I poured away half from the 1 glass I'd poured that evening).

I think the solution lies in me being less uptight, getting so built up I go over the top. Hopefully some things should settle down for me this week, plus I have a counselling session and that usually helps me get into a good head space again.

Got something to add here.

After 7 days AF no problem I drank as planned on Friday night (ie I knew I'd be drinking that night), no problems at all. Had about 5 units, 4 smallish (330ml) bottles of 4% beer. Sure I finished them quickish but despite being offered more, and given the opportunity to get more I wasn't bothered. Woke up in the morning no hangover, no cravings just fine and been fine since.

Magic.

Hi UKBlonde, new to the board and TSM, I've ready many of your posts and am glad that you've experienced such good results. I can understand being perplexed and worried over recent spikes. I've had similar experiences to yours, ie choosing to drink right past the moderation level I'd hoped for, and also eating binges, for me once or twice a week that seem to come out of nowhere. (I've read that alchohol metabolizes as sugar in some way, so food and AL both work similarly in the brain or some such... anyway, food consumption for me sometimes resembles an AL bender, sad to say). Anyway... I'm super new to TSM so I can't comment on much but just wanted to say that I can empathize that after such good results, that a spike in consumption would be worrying. But take heart that you're also showing many signs of moderation too- that's really great.
Best,
Travis

Thanks for your support.

The eating thing, well I was bulimic from 18-mid 20s and it's still there and still I think the reason I binge eat every so often. In fact I think my drinking is all related to that too.

Anyway last night had a pint of cider(about 2 hours after 50mg dose of nal(took it in advance because I knew I'd be busy for a bit and might not wait if I left it til later), didn't want to get drunk and left the pub feeling slightly tired. Normal reaction I'd say that was. Went home and went to bed, that's it.

I understand. I too definitely think that there are similarities between eating disorders and alcohol addiction. I mean, they both work on the rewards system in the brain, so it makes sense. Not that I know much about it medically speaking, just from life- my sister has struggled with bulimia and anorexia both for many years. Her and I often talk about how similar our compulsions for our respective drug of choice are. It's a very complicated challenge, and all I can do is wish you support.

Anyway... good luck, it sounds like you're doing well in regards to the recent spike drinkingwise...

Hey UK: How are things going for you these days? I know you were worried awhile back. You may have posted about this elsewhere but I didn't see it.

Best,

Tiller

My latest update on this was 2nd August above. The drinking is fine, most days I don't want to and don't. Other days where appropriate I do drink. I did get tipsy this week, I had errr a sort of date and he wanted to drink wine. I had more than I should have and I politely declined the last glass, and had left some in my glass at the table for coffee. If I hadn't been with someone who was wanting to drink and chat a lot I'd have not sat up all night, and would have drunk a lot less. It was fine though no hangover and no blackout, no regrets. Also do not have any physical or mental cravings at all.

I'd say I'm fine and drinking normally.