Wow, those are some serious numbers last weekend! But congratulations on the AF day. Those are not easy.

A big key to being successful is to take one day at a time and never give up. If you post regularly, you will be able to look back at earlier posts and realize you have made progress, even in times when you may be in a slump. Getting off the vodka is a major step forward. Congratulations on that.

Hang in there. Hope this is a good week.

Week 9 continued S19, S0, M6, T11

Week 9 projections 63.0000

As Brittany Spears would say "Oops I did it again"

Monday-6 and Tuesday-11 Both drinking sessions were before I got home. If I can just get my drunk ass home faster, and fight the urge, I could do some serious damage to reducing my weekly units. Years of drinking on the way home may be my toughest battle.

The Nal has done wonders over the last few weeks regarding me drinking after I get home, whether it is before dinner, after dinner, or late night drinking by myself. Very very little of that recently compared to pre-TSM. Even the 6 on Monday my mind says I really feel less "NEED" to drink after 2 or 3, but I bought basically 6, so I had to drink them. Tuesday after drinking the first 2 or 3, my drunken brain developed a plan that basically orchestrated when and where I would purchase the 12 drinks over about a 5 hour time frame, and dammit, that is what I did. I did actually not finish all that I had purchased, leaving at least 1, possibly 2 of the 12 in the cup. Very small silver lining there, but pre-Nal, I would have made sure to have finished every drop before getting home and eating dinner.

One other good note to self, no vodka since March 10th. The though did cross my mind about 3 or 4 times yesterday.

Week 9 continued S19, S0, M6, T11, W7

Week 9 projections 60.2000

Again, broken record here. I had 7 units between the time I left work and arrived at home. Once at home success, no drinking at home before or after dinner. I truly feel and believe I have minimal crave after the afternoon Nal, but I have the same damn habit/rituals, I feel I MUST act out.

I think tonight I may try my vacation beverage on the way home. When in the Florida sun, I mix light beer with white soda. Tonight I may try a 2x4 Natty mixed with some Sprite Zero on ice, for the ride and try limiting my voyage to 2 units.

Small victories, 11 days without vodka/liqueur, 7 is still better than my 10 on the way home and 6-8 more after dinner.

Week 9 continued S19, S0, M6, T11, W7, T6

Week 9 projections 57.1667

So last night, I have an online 730pm fantasy baseball draft scheduled with 9 classmates from years ago, scattered throughout the country. Yes they are all boozers from one degree to another. A few as bad as me, and few, normal Americans. So we actually sit down at computers to type and drink together. I guess it is quite not as bad drinking alone.

In past years, I would have had 9-10 before getting home, and about that many more over the next 3 hours online with the gang.

Last night, I took the Nal before leaving work, picked up 4 24 oz sweet malt beverages, watermelon black ice 8%. That would be the equivalent to 12 units/12 pack beer. I then cut it in half with diet white soda. Now a looking at 4%. Like clockwork, the Nal said I was full after drinking an equivalent of 3 units, however, I HAD to make a second batch. So I made another 3 unit 4% cocktail. This one I milked, and debated pouring it out, but I did not. East to quit after that one.

I am pleased with TSM Nal effect I am getting, wanting to stop at 3, and actually stopping at 6 on days like this. Way better than the 18. I don't feel like this is a plateau either, just a happy resting point on my path downward in weekly units.

That being said, I am also happy to be vodka free for 11 days.

Good luck this weekend friends. Smile and be happy that even though we are alcoholics, we are acknowledging we are alcoholics, we are here slowly but surely fixing ourselves and have each other to confide in, and we have family and friends outside of this website that care for us.

(Edit: I forgot to add that I left the other 2 24 oz cans in the fridge and did not touch them. )

Week 9 S19, S0, M6, T11, W7, T6, F13

Week 9 results. 62 (All time TSM low for me and 2 weeks with no vodka)

Week 10 so far S24, S0

Week 10 projected 84.0000

Friday night was the Lent Fish Fry again. Had 6 at home, 6 at fish fry, poured a 3 unit glass at home after fish fry, and ended up dumping out most. This is the last lent fish fry we typically attend that serves beers, $1.50 long-necks I might add. One less temptation during the week.

Saturday, however, was a train-wreck. I had a wedding reception to attend. A young volunteer fireman from my town. (Also an ex-fellow fireman due to my retiring 2 years ago form the department and all of my fireman buddies were there also.) This event had unlimited draft beer and lasted from 4:30 pm-1:30 am. This event had 450 attendees, including dozens of the counties top boozers, hundreds semi-pro boozers, hundreds of amateurs, and very few teetotalers. Drinking draft beer from a pitcher makes it very difficult to count units. I am merely speculating 24 units Saturday. That would be about 2.5 per hour. I did try and prepare by eating a big late lunch an hour before the start, took my nal, then ate a heaping dinner plate at 6:30 pm of fried chicken, mostaccioli, mash potatoes, green beans and 2 slices of bread, then took a 2nd nal after dinner. I remember many things from the evening, but still grayed out a bit before getting home, and I think I had my first blackout pass-out on the couch since starting Nal 9 weeks ago.

I'm not sure what to say about this failure, other than I tried every trick I had, eating a ton, and doubling the nals. I also question my decision to eat a lot of food. I did not seem to feel the effect of the Nal when I took 1 at 3:30 pm after a big meal, and then the second pill after the 6:30 pm dinner. On "normal" days, I take it on close to an empty stomach, and feel it working right away. I have had success drinking less on these days. I know some people need food to avoid nausea or side effects, but I don't. Anyone else have a preference or results regarding empty stomach 1 hr before or with food 1 hr before.

I did feel slightly hungover Sunday, and I feel this contributed to my AF day yesterday. I was tempted several times yesterday to go the hair of the dog route, but chose not to.

Good luck this week to all.

Christopher

I think you did pretty well man considering the temptations. About a beer and half or so per hour is pretty good. Back when I was in the AA and I was drinking soda water, or some such ****, I couldn't go by without at least a pint and a half per hour, you are out and about with a drink in your hand you 'll be drinking it be it beetroot juice or 40% spirit. Have you thought about maybe adding baclofen to the regimen, some people swear by it? Can you get it over the counter in the states?

Chris, still looks like the units are coming down though. Which can only be a good thing.

Week 10 so far S24, S0, M10

Week 10 projected 79.3333

Mon. Nt. Purchased 6 pack for the ride home. I had to attend a youth sports meeting at a tavern of course at 6pm prior to getting home. I had 3 units before, 4 units at meeting, and finished the 3 units out of habit after the meeting before dinner at 8pm. Strait to bed after dinner.

I still feel Nal is still telling me I could quit after/during the first 3 units. Habits still causing me to continue. Projections showing 79, over last weeks low of 62. I really want to come in lower than 62 this week.

Week 10 so far S24, S0, M10, T4

Week 10 projected 66.5000

Really rushed day at work, got in super early, really hectic day. Still found a way to purchase 6 for the ride home. Somewhere between 3 and 4 decided to call it quits. Went home and helped make dinner. Wife and kids a bit crabby at each other, but not too bad. Without the Nal, that would have been a trigger to continue to gulp beer or sneak a chug of vodka.

Af would have been nice, but I will settle for another Nal session and only 4 units this Wednesday evening.

Heading out tomorrow, 3 hour drive to a meeting. Same story Thursday. Usually boozing on the way home. This will be another test for the Nal.

Chris, you're making great progress. I know what you mean about triggers and sneaking vodka (that was one of my downfalls!). It's awesome that you're having moments now when you can "decide to call it quits" after a certain amount (like a half or less than what you used to drink) - that's exactly the magic of Nal. We start to say, Hey, I am NOT going to drink the rest of this, or I don't feel like drinking this, or look at the glass/bottle - it's still 1/2 full! Those little steps all count towards progress towards the Cure!

I'm scared about you drinking and driving - believe me, I've done my share and I always scare myself the next day when I realized how dumb that was. Sounds like you're working that down, too - great job! I love that you're watering down your drinks with white soda - that's a great idea which I'll try too. Anything to cut down the alcohol, spread it out over time, etc.

Stay safe and keep nal'ing on!