Dave,
Yes, and supposedly TSM works better for "bingers" like you than daily drinkers. Maybe it's because those 3-4 alcohol free days show you have a bit of power over alcohol to begin with. I'm curious to see what happens. Even if you're able to drink 5 beers, three times a week, you'll be doing pretty well (and, surely, your colleagues won't harass you for just having 5 beers, unless you work for a really weird company).

5 Beers at a company outing is certainly nothing to be ashamed of and will cope no flack there. And if I could stop it at 5 beers that would be a dream. I am still waiting for the nal to get here and in the mean time I had about 60 drinks in the last 3 days. I have already started to record my drinking. I really hope this works for me, I am sick of not being able to stop myself. The only reason why I am stopping at 20 is because the beers runs out.

Dave,
I guess it's daytime in Japan. I'm working an all-nighter tonight, with not much to do. I'm excited to hear what happens. I would suggest reading the thread of rmw18k (look under "members" above). He has a lot in common with you (big golfer, big drinker,professional, go-getter). I corresponded with him recently and he informed me that, after 6-7 months with TSM, he STILL hasn't drank more than three drinks (like you, he used to reach 20+ over a day), and rarely drinks more than two. I was inspired by his stoy.

Sounds like I need to check into rmw18k

Yes, read his posts. He'll also gladly correspond via e-mail. He's quite the gentleman and, apparently, a near daily golfer and successful businessman (I guess you have to be to golf daily).

Hi Dave

good luck to you and welcome ... I'm pretty new here too .... there was a little bit you wrote that struck a chord with me ... something about "if you could just stick to 5 beers a day .. it would be like a dream" ....

Before I started TSM .. and had been desperately trawling the net for something to help curb my drinking .. I remember thinking wouldn't it be great it there was a pill that would just put me off alcohol a bit. Maybe not completely extinguish all desire or pleasure - but just make me not LIKE it so much and able to stop after 2 or 3 drinks, like all my "normal" drinking friends.

Well... so far for me - this IS it! I can't believe the difference Nal has made for me - its early days yet as I'm only in my 4th week - but my units have dropped to between one half and one third of what I was drinking and I'm on my second AF night in a row (almost unheard of for me previously!)

Very good luck - hope your prescription gets to you soon through the japanese customs ok .. I've had great help and support from all those here so hang in there - there IS a way out of this!

(Barry ... the other way to play daily golf - is to jack in nursing and work in a golf club (until I got tennis elbow )

Lorraine

Will definitely update my thoughts on TSM. But knowing my luck, I will probably be one of those few who it does not work for. The nal can't get here fast enough, I had a 15 drink day yesterday on top of the 60 over the weekend.

"Knowking my luck"? You sound like you have a pretty charmed life to me. Use some of the bad ass mentality that got you where you are and channel it towards drinking. "Naltrexone will work for me." I'm sure, in your job, you know how to "make sh*t happen," so apply that to your life.

I've been at the 18 drinks a day for the last 2 years Dave. Getting better every day. Pretty proud on only 3 last night. It is working. I can't wait to hear about your first week once your Nal shows up.

@BarryB, that bad ass mentality got me where I am for sure, but it certainly does not stop you from what to use drinking as an excuse to numb a lot of the issues work and life throws at you. I am by nature a worrier and I can worry myself sick sometimes. Also drinking is in my genes, I have at least three close relatives that have drinking problems and my brother drinks like there is no tomorrow.

@christopher, I have had periods, especially in summer where I drink as much as 18 drinks a day. I do like the feeling of being drunk, but I also love the taste beer has. This is one reason why I am not sure if it will work on me as I love the taste of beer probably more than I like the feeling of being drunk. But, if nal can get me to stop mid way through a session instead of stopping when I either go to sleep/pass out, that will be a big break through in its self.