Hi Retread.........Sorry for delay in respond.....I felt the effects of naltrexone from the first pill. I couldn't get the "euphoria" back after that. I continued to drink here and there out of habit but nal made me a little nauseus and wierd dizzy. I never counted drinks just went by my gut feeling. At the end I was able to think rationally and realized that drinking alcohol did nothing for me anymore and in fact tasted gross without the buzz. I actually drank a few times without naltrexone and had the same results of "nothing". About 5yrs ago I mostly quit the bar scene and drank alone at home, mostly. I dont miss the bars or those friends.

Sometimes stress and anxiety triggers a slight desire to have a drink but the thought of the gross taste of it immediately quiets my mind (if I focus too long on having a drink I feel the nausea build!)

I dont' know why everyone doesn't have really quick success. It's puzzling to me.

This thread brings up a great question, and I think it's the crux of why TSM isn't used more in the US - because AA is our accepted method of dealing with alcoholism. However, AA is a spiritual/emotional/psychological intervention, or however you want to frame it. TSM is a medical treatment. I tried AA a few times without success before having success with TSM.

Do I have underlying psychological issues which may relate to "Why I Drink?" Sure. Am I dealing with those with a therapist and psychiatrist? Sure. Alcoholism is a medical problem, so I'm dealing with it medically, by taking Naltexone according to TSM. I'm dealing with my psychological/emotional stuff concurrently but separately.

It's just my opinion - I don't think AA is a one-stop-shop that can treat my alcoholism and psychological problems.