That sounds major to me! Good for you, noting this success...it's not all just #'s...Progress includes #'s, feelings, and ALSO having some significant others in your life noticing you're drinking less, very cool!

Those sound like reasonable goals to set for the week. What would constitute "no heavy drinking after an AF day"? You might think of a # of units, so you'll know when you're successful. Yeah, I no longer "whiplash/overdo" as much the day after an AF. And since last week I was actually able to have TWO AF's in a ROW...I've decided to try that again this week...pretty crazy, huh???

Hello all! I have not been reading the site daily and I can tell the difference. No AF days. Last week I was on vacation and not sure of my numbers but they were not good. Had a high number night last night and I woke up this morning for the first time and it hit me that I am really really, and might I say really, sick and tired of drinking!!! It's time to dig in and get serious. So here I go......

Goals for this week....
Follow the golden Nal rule
Start pushing for AF days
Read this site daily

Thanks in advance for all your support. I refuse to give up. Alcohol will not win!

Hey you! Glad you're going for it! Me too - not pushing lately but I guess I'll have to give it a go....

Greetings to all,
Another week. Numbers are down but the days I did drink were not good. Hungover the next day and feeling like I am crawling out of my skin. The strange thing is I am starting to feel like my drinking is more a habit than anything. On the days I don't drink I don't crave it and I almost get a high off of waking up the next day and feeling great. The one thing that has kept me going this week is reading the stories in the cured section of this site. I just keep repeating to myself that there is proof that this crazy thing works!!!!

Another thing, I got up this morning and poured out the remaining vodka. No more of the hard stuff. I feel like it is time to start pushing myself out of my comfort zone. It was a rather uncomfortable feeling but I think it is because of my fear of failure.

So, enough about me. Hope all is well with my TSM friends.

Goal for the week.....2 AF days in a row. Pray, pray, pray!

Hello all. Quick question. Does anyone have any advice on dosage? My AF days are very easy when I have them but when I do drink my numbers are not good. The first drink really is not all that good but the next few go down a bit too easy. I am on 50mg but am thinking about upping it to 75mg. I feel like I am drinking thru my meds. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Georgiamom,
Just responding that I have the same experience with Nal (50mg).....I take the Nal...wait an hour w/out strong cravings...take the first drink and it goes down slowly (no real reward) but the next drink I definitely feel that alcohol reward kicking in....and the next one. I have to use will power (and fear of a hangover) to stop at 3 (or whatever).

I'm not sure what to do about it but wanted to chime in that I seem to have the same reaction.

Oh my, yes that is exactly how things have been for me the last month or so...easy AFs, but then pedal-to-the-metal on drinking days. Though I must admit the first one also goes down real easy, as do the subsequent 3 - 5...

Anyway, I decided to up to 75mg. last week, and I think it is helping! Esp. last night was encouraging: I went to the monthly neighborhood Bunco game, which is an easy setting for a discreet drinking free-for-all...but I had 2 beers and quit because I didn't want any more...wow. In fact, that second beer tasted really BAD, reminding me of how shocked I was during the TSM "honeymoon" when my favorite brew tasted icky.

I think I've definitely been drinking through the meds, and maybe 75 would be helpful to you, too!

Greetings All,
Well, my numbers were up this week. I have hit the 9 month mark. Today I am very discouraged so I am going to list only the good things I am experiencing on this journey. Maybe this will give me hope.

I now average 2 or 3 AF days
I no longer wait in anticipation for 5 o'clock to roll around
I no longer get angry when something gets in my way of drinking
Love the fact that I sleep better at night when I don't drink
The last few times I went to a party I left sober and drove everybody home
I have started reading again at night and working crossword puzzles


I need to focus on the positive and not give up. Also, I did bump up my dosage to 75mg.
My goal this week is to have 3 AF days. Thanks for listening. I could not do this without your help.

Georgiamom,
Even tho you aren't where you wanted to be 9 months ago, you certainly have some wins. The fact that you can have 2-3 AF days a week is huge! Keep trying different ways to get the numbers down. If you haven't read "Over the Influence", do so....talks about our relationship to drugs and alcohol....It's really made me look at this drinking thing beyond just a "disease".....there are often many emotional reasons that influence us to drink.

Hang in there!

Georgiamom, im finishing month four. and my drinking is the same. i was woried that tsm might not work for me so i went s far as to email dr. cox with my concern and he staright up told my tsm is just like having a baby it could take 9 month or some cases over a year. listen you sound like your doing better. as for me i have not tried a af day. i figure i will wait a little longer. im still scared to not drink. i been drink everday for 25 years with probley just a few dozen times of not drinking in those years. i will tell you this for some reason i feel alot better then before. i my feel the obsesion and craving has went down, and i i feel there is hope with my drinking problem. just hang in there and you will be cured of this nightmare.