Alice,

I am only taking it on days when I'm pretty sure I'm boozing. Currently most, however, the 2 AF days I have had so far, I did not take the pill. That is the plan I am sticking on, based on my understanding.

Good luck this week girl.

Hi all,

Haven't posted for a while now....

Am trying really hard, but still failing often. Lat week did well in the week. But both Sat and Su had drinks in the day and also in the evening, totaling to about onbe and 1/2 bottle wine a day.

Drinking in the day is what i really want to stop! But find it so, so hard. Especially if ex is around.

But i am reasonable ebough at least, so if i have to drive i may have a small glassbut n more. Anyway, I wnat to stop it! And then this morning of course walk up feelimg really down and upset with myself!

But I just have to keep going and trying. I talke to my daughter and she said 'Don't beat upyourself, take it as a challange-it os something you have to achieve.' She is such a smart girl.

Anyway, hope everyone had a good weekend and will have a good week to come!

Alice,

Keep taking the pill 1 hour before. My numbers are going down, but very very very slow. I know I'm early in this, I just started week 9. However, my 73 beers last week probably seems incredibly high to most, but compared to numbers around 120 before TSM, I'm feeling good today, even with my own failures Friday and Saturday.

Keep tracking the small victories and keep taking the pill.

I am following you and look forward to the day we both gain control.

Talk to you later,

Christopher

Hi Alice

Was wondering how you#re getting on? Well ... it doesn't sound too bad - like Chris says .. keep tracking your numbers and if you're doing better during the week - its still doing better ... well done

As for the weekendns .. maybe you just have to get the booze out the house - or get yourself out in the car so you just cant' do it.... I'm sure you wouldnt want to drive with your kids in car - so go somewhere or make some sugary tea or something ... I find sugary (de-caffeinated) tea helps me on an AF evening

I've had bit of a slip last few days and units crept up this week - but hopeing it just a blip and was bit of change of the usual routine ... so hoping to get back to normal this week

Keep posting and try changing your weekend routine maybe? Good luck Alice

(By the way .. Chris if you're reading this - great progress ..good on you!!)

Lorraine

Hi Alice, I haven't read this whole thread, just parts of it, but you sound like a very strong person. It sounds really difficult, adjusting to life as a single mom AND having to interact with the ex who caused you so much pain. My heart really goes out to you.

I wish I had good advice to give you that would help, but it really sounds like you are doing everything you can, just moving in the right direction even if it's slower than you want it to be. It does sound to me, based on your drinking history (sounds like you used to be a fairly moderate drinker), like a LOT of this pattern is a reaction to all the stress in your life. I wonder if nal, for you, is treating a symptom and not a cause. You describe what sounds like trying to numb your pain when your ex is around, especially. You might have a lot of healing to do in addition to TSM, if you want to completely get your life back. Again, I haven't read this whole thread, so maybe you are already working on the depression somehow.

I hope you have a great week, and that at the very least, you have some small victories that keep you going in the right direction!

Hi Chris, Lorraine, Cirque and every one else who is reading,

Yes Cirque, you are right that my drinking problems are a result of all tha's been happening to me in the last few years. My problems with ex were there long before he left. And I've learned to use alcohol to help me thrugh stress, pain, feeling depressed, lonely etc. I had some counceling provided under the NHS, but they only give you that many sessions. And I can't afford to pay for private counceling. And it is a bit af a vicious circle as well as i have the wine to feel better, than beat up myself for having it and feel down abt it.

But i am trying real hard! And i am getting better emotionally as well (much better than a year ago).

There is a lot of habbit as well....

Lorraine, hope you get back on track! You are right, I have to try keeping busy on weekends and out of the house more. Hopefully the weather will improve soon and this will make it easier to be out and about.

Chris, thanks for the encouregement. You keep up the progress as well!

Hi Alice

Good to hear you sounding positive again... let us know how the daily Nal is going at set time...

I am AF tonight as had HUGe week lasst week and units crept up from 30 UK to 47 last week (ouch) .. was 50 - 60 UK units pre-TSM so its not as bad as before ... but I'd like to get back to 25-30 this week and see if I can keep numbers going down.

I agree with you about habit .... I like to get my son in bed then glass of wine or two or 3 etc ... then it was one or two before he was in bed and the best part of the bottle afterwards ... so it had to stop. Nal helping me so much. I think with me trying to lose weight I wouldn't each much in the evening ... so wine was my "reward". Maybe Cirque is right about figuring out how to solve/work through why we drink (at least a bit) to try and make a change to old habits.

Dont you find that you THINK about the drink a bit less when you're taking your Nal?? I love the fact I'm not continually obsessing about needing to reduce and cut down ... its a huge relief.

I hope you have a good weekend this weekend - I agree about weather too - its been such a terrible long winter and no sign of spring yet ... but hope you'll get out and about this weekend and stay strong!

let us know how you get on

Lorraine

Hi Lorraine and all,

Well we have snow here today (Yourkshire) and it's forcasted to snow tomorrow as well....Both schools to which my children go are open though, so I took them in and am at work myself now.

Lorraine, I still think a lot about how much i drink, why i do it, why i can't stop myself at times...

You say you drink to not eat much, but alcohol has got loads of callories in, so maybe keep this in mind if it will also help?

And yes, it is helpful to know why one drinks ( at least for me), but still doesn't solve it all. I've been using alcohol for the wrong reasons for quite a while now and it'll take some time to build up new habbits etc. At least I do hope it will eventually happen.

Have a great weekend s well!

Hi,

I haven't posted in ages. And have been going through a hard time emotionally for no particular reason. Easter weekend was a disaster drink-wise...
The went to a pontins holiday park for 4 nights with the kids and had quite a lot to drink as well.

Today saw the nurse at the Cubstance anuse centre where i get my prescriptions from. She says it seems to not be working for me...I've been on Nal 13 weeks, and so far results are not great. I make some progress, then digress again...She mentioned stopping the Nal and going on Antabuse. But there is no way I am doing this! And from what i've read on this forum it can take a while for TSM to work...Anyway, she gave me another prescriotion (14 pills), but said i should have a plan and try to have say 1/2 btl a wine a day and know that this is it. SAm not sure can do this really. And also I thought the idea of TSM is to drink like you nrmally would...Anyway they don't really know abt TSM. If you've read my previous posts i am the first patient they agreed to try it on. But thhey still seem to be thinking in the ld prescrived ways - reduce the alcohol, Antabuse, it is not working if no result so far....

Oh well, maybe i just have to lie to them so i get the script?

Am quite discouraged at the moment

Hey Alice,
It sounds like you are in a fair bit pain right now, just keep your chin up and keep moving forward.

Are you religiously taking the nal 1 hour before drinking and not missing taking nal at any time?