All in all, things are progressing. The good news, I bought a six pack of Mikes and didn't drink it. However, on Saturday I downed 2 before going to dinner (after having taken 25 mgs of Nal). I did only have two drinks at dinner, but had another half of a Mikes when we got home. Oh well, I didn't embarrass anyone. I did have the morning after shakes and anxiety, which i dont normally get. AF Sunday & Monday. Drank around 6-7 drinks last night then poured out nearly 2 bottles of wine this morning as I wouldn't have had an extra glass had it not been in the house.

I'm trying to figure out if it is better to try for more days AF, if the cravings aren't too bad, or whether it is better to drink every few days. There seems to be some mixed messages with regards to taking a weekend off if you are a daily drinker. If one is a binge drinker then it goes without saying that this is how one would approach TSM. I believe I can titrate up on the Nal and should be at 50 this weekend, so if I continue with the 1 hour rule, wouldn't it be better reduce my consumption if the cravings are minimal? I read where it doesn't hurt to take the Nal and not drink if one doesn't feel like drinking. I guess I'll just do what feels "natural". I am getting support from the hubby, but still feel the need to sneak when I think he would disapprove; like last night when I got into the bottle of wine. The guzzling and sneaking are two behaviors that I am trying to correct. Reading The forum today !!! Hugs to everyone. Keek

I would recommend baby steps K, in regards to your approach to the 50mg. I never had any problems taking the 50mg right out of the gate, however, in your situation, I think you are making good progress, and I don't want to see you jump into the 50mg to quick and bail on it.

Make sure you eat a big meal when you take your first 50mg.

Good luck.

I have twice taken Naltrexone and didn't drink. It makes me feel slightly funkified and like I don't want to drink. In my case, this has a secondary benefit because I don't want to drink because I don't want to take a Naltrexone. For me, this works because my "cravings" are to the point of just "eh, whatever," but for others, this might be a reason to just stop Naltrexone.

As you probably gathered, I was a very bad drink-sneaker (and guzzler). Those around me saw me drink about 1 drink for every 6 I actually drank. I would hide it in my suit pockets, my compost pile, my tool box, my golf bag -- pretty much anywhere I knew my wife would never look. I have snuck two sips in the past 17 weeks, but that's about it. I had to really commit to that, because I'm really good at it and could probably still drink multiple drinks without getting "caught."

I had nights when I took Nal and just decided not to drink, either because the cravings weren't there, or because I just wanted to not feel the effects in the morning. It didn't stop me from getting to my cure point. I actually think taking the Nal and waiting allows time for the craving to pass, and also feel the Nal calms me so I'm not as excited and thus don't want to drink. Regards amounts the optimum dose is supposed to be 50mg and if you can get there that would be great however I think some people have been cured only taking 25mg because that's enough to cover their receptors. I also say drink as you feel, and I don't believe in pouring the usual amount down your neck just because you've always had 3 bottles of wine or whatever. I have actually NEVER drunk to pre TSM levels since I started it - pre TSM a session would be between 20 and 30 units. My first drinking session with Nal I halved that and my best since then has only been around 16 or 17. I've just never drank like I did, and like I say it's not stopped me from reaching cure point in a fairly short time.

Heya Keek! IMO you shouldn't EVER force yourself or even encourage yourself to drink. If you can easily take AF stretches, do it! And really enjoy it! This is what I have been doing over the last month or so, and I feel like it has helped me to turn a corner in this journey. The more AF days I string together, the less my life surrounds alcohol.

Keep it up. When you started this did you ever think you'd be worried that you should be drinking more?

Hey peeps, Thank you so very much for the input. I still can't bring myself to 50 mgs, but am confident I'll get there if I take your advice and not worry about having to drink while taking the Nal. Took 25 mgs, had two beers (I never order beer at a bar), turned down a shot off fireball as it tasted nasty ( I also rarely turn down alcohol), then later I sipped a vodka/ lime. I didn't feel like I needed more on the way home and woke up feeling pretty awesome this morning. Thanks again for all of the advice and encouragement!!!!! Keek

Sunday morning and I feel fantastic. No alcohol last night and I really didn't miss it. Woke up this a.m. And made to a kick butt cardio class. Hope everyone is progressing, even if just a little. Now out to get some yard work done. I'll come back tonight to read others posts.. Hugs...keek

5AF last week. Awesome KEKE

Awe shucks, thanks for the encouragement. Last night I had a beer with dinner then told hubby I was going to the store to get something to drink. He suggested I not drink and blog about how great I felt this a.m. Naw, if it were that easy, I wouldn't need to be on this site or practicing TSM!!!! Anyhow, I was at the store staring at the alcohol and finally decided on a couple of Club Margarita's and a beer. I did wake up with a bit of a headache but it was easily remedied with 2 ibuprofen. Granted I didn't feel a good as I would have had I not drank, but I did take the Nal which helped me to pass the wine isle. Wine just seems to give me the worst hangovers, so I'm trying to avoid it. This weekend is going to be a challenge because we are headed to a music festival in wine country and are rooming with three others. I don't think I'll try upping my Nal just yet as I'd hate to be miserable in the company of others. Although, I could try 25 in the a.m. tomorrow and another 25 at night. decisions, decisions! On a good note, I am actually putting myself "out there" and trying to do things without worrying about the alcohol. It feels good to take a little control over my actions. All I have to do is remember to take the Nal when I do drink. Til next time. Keep on keeping on! Keke

I hear you the feeling that at least you feel a little in control. I stopped at 3 beers last night (6 US units), where as I normally would drink till I pass out or fall asleep, usually about 20 units)