Hi everyone - I am returning to TSM after quitting over a year ago. I thought it wasn't working because I still drank alot. My overall trendline was down (I charted with a spreadsheet), but I still had heavy drinking days. So for me it was no miracle cure. BUT, in retrospect, it was helping. I never got stumbling, slurring drunk when I took Naltrexone. That behavior has been creeping in on me again, with increasing frequency.

I think I have to accept that, for me, Naltrexone gives me more clarity and control in the moment. I don't have that uncontrollable urge to keep drinking and drinking past a certain point. Luckily I still have some Naltrexone from an old prescription, so I am beginning again today.

My plan is to drastically cut the number of days I drink, and then take Nal only on the days I do drink. I realize that is not the speedy way to extinction, but I don't think extinction is possible for me anyway. My more realistic goal now is to simply have more control when I do drink. I do know Naltrexone helps me with that!

Welcome back. There are many people here where Nal took well over a year or longer to fully work so please know you aren't alone. If you are able to do AF days, that will certainly help reduce the harm to yourself. If not, just reducing the numbers helps.

Wishing you success this second round

That sound like a plan. Since starting TSM I have been drinking more nights than I usually did before. Partly to try and speed up the process and partly because I'm not as worried about drinking most nights as its just a beer or 2. Before when I drank I'd get s**t faced and have to go a day AF as my body could not take it. I'm now trying to get more AF days in even if it means taking longer for TSM to do its thing.

Thanks, GottheGene - it is good to be back. I look forward to catching up with old friends and connecting with new friends here. I forget how much it helps to commisserate with people who share the same affliction!

Hi Thomas - I did the same thing, my first time around. I would drink every day, trying to speed the process. And I didn't feel guilty about it, and could justify it to my husband, because I was following the TSM instructions. But since I don't think I am a candidate for quick extinction (I did try for a full year last time), I will accept a partial cure - more control and clarity when I do drink.

I think one of the reasons I quit was I just just sick of tracking every day and feeling obsessed with the process. But, I think tracking is essential to retaining control. So, my spreadsheet is being revived as well.

I sort of like keeping a tab on units. I'm not particularly busy these days so it gives me something to do. Its easy enough for me as I only drink one brand of beer and don't go out any more so counting units isn't hard. I wouldn't fancy doing it back in the day when I'd be out on the tear for 2-3 days.

Hi Yogagirl, welcome back, and this time you know what to expect, which should be helpful. I'm curious why you quit, when you were having improved behavior...did you miss the full-blown buzz that Nal prevents? I went through a few months when I think I did, and was doing some self-sabotage, but recently I can't even remember what it felt like, that "swept away" feeling. On your spread sheets, did your overall units drop very much, or steadily? Everyone's experience w/ TSM is SO different, and none of us are experts! so its interesting to hear other people's experiences & ideas. Anyway, wishing you all the best here, this time around.

Hi Chrissie!

Looking back at my spreadsheet, over the year that I was on Nal my overall trendline was down. But I still had some major spikes, still drank a fair amount and I never felt "cured." After about 8 months, I kept taking Nal, but stopped tracking units. I think that was my downfall. Over a few months of not tracking, I convinced myself it wasn't working, and just quit one day. In retrospect it WAS working, just slowly and not a magic cure. The difference is exactly as you described it - Nal takes away that overpowering euphoria that drives the compulsion to drink more and more and more.

I started again yesterday with 25mg. I was out at a book/wine club meeting and sipped wine all evening. Now, it wasn't a get silly drunk crowd or setting, and I knew I had to drive, so that accounts for some control - I do have it when I really need it. But beyond that, I did feel more in control because I wasn't getting that euphoric high.

What I remember from my first time around is what you mentioned - breaking habits. I have this nasty habit of drinking one more right before bed - what a waste, and a guaranteed hangover, right? I think it is rooted in a fear of not falling to sleep. Once the compulsion to over drink is gone (or at least reduced) I still have to consciously change long ingrained habits. At least I know Nal gives me the clarity make the decision - now it is up me to make the right one in the moment, to override the power of habit.

YG

I had that need to have a "drink right before bed" too. It was hard to stop but I did manage to...and so will you.

Could be some truth in that. From reading the Forum, I've observed that it's good to have the objective data (tracking your units), and then also to keep track of the anecdotal evidence that your life is changing. I've seen a # of posts where people say they're discouraged because they're units aren't where they want them to be, but then they make a detailed list of all ways their life is better, from sleeping better, to less hangovers, less embarrassing conversations, etc. Sometimes the #'s are helpful to look at and sometimes it's the more subjective observations...it's good to have both.

Hi Yogagirl and welcome back, I am sorry to hear that you feel as though you weren't succeeding with TSM. I too am returning after having tried this method on a half hazard basis. I remember reading your posts and feeling hopeful because you seemed to be improving. I am trying the AF days with an occasional drinking day planned. We are all trying to find what works for us. I now have the alcohol out of the house and choose to drink on social occasions. I am early in this process and am trying not to become over confident, but so far it has been easy sailing with the help of some mood stabilizers. I also remember reading someone's post who said that even after a year they had to make the conscious choice to cut down before they were able to deem themselves "cured". So here we are.....I am looking forward to getting to know you. Much success! Keek