Thanks Goin4more!

I think one of two things- either it is working very quickly for me because I am sensitive to all medication it seems, so that wouldn't surprise me too much- or I am at the honeymoon stage, and eventually it will pass and my drinking will go back up.

My cravings are as normal, (it is now 4.30pm, and I have had a busy day rushing about, so I fancy a drink to unwind- I am gonna take the nal and wait an hour) but the cravings are more 'enjoyable' as I am not fighting them- I am just thinking- "Oops! There's a craving! Off to get the Nal!" Instead of my "Shall I, Shan't I" nail biting, white knuckling, arguments in my head type thoughts, which just about always ended in my eventually caving in anyway.

This whole process is much more dignified and pleasant- I actually am beginning to feel like a human being again.

Sorry Guys, but just have to shout this one from the rooftops- yesterday was the end of my first week, and I drank 19 units ALL WEEK! I did not try to deny myself alcohol or fight the cravings at all- as soon as I felt one coming, I just took the Nal, waited a bit, then drank.

I cannot believe this is working so well for me, I keep waiting for my drinking to go back up, but if anything it is getting harder to drink- I enjoy the first one, then after that one each gulp I take becomes a bit more disgusting and less interesting than the last- (and believe me I am trying to get them down, even kind of holding my breath and taking huge gulps, just to swallow it) my reaction does not seem entirely typical which is worrying me very slightly- I will wait and see what happens this week, then maybe put the question to Dr. Eskapa.

I had planned on having my first alcohol/naltrexone free night last night as I had a lingering headache, but around 7pm the headache was all but gone and I wanted a drink, so took the Nal and an hour later my first beer.

I then read an email from a 'friend' which made me VERY angry, not just annoyed, but really mad angry. I took 2 beers home with me expecting that number 2 would taste OK and number 3 would be repulsive as usual.

Not so. I slammed them both back, and if I had had more to hand would have carried on drinking- so either my honeymoon period is over, or my emotions effected my ability to drink after taking Nal.

I will be interested to see what happens tonight.

Hey Marby -- This is a good thing -- We can't extinguish drinking triggers until we indulge them by drinking. We will prevail in the long term!

Best -- Lena

Thanks for the encouragement Lena- The honeymoon is over- shame it was great while it lasted. I did hope against hope that it would continue, but not so, I am now able to drink as always.

So far this week I am up to nearly 30 units- I still have tomorrow to go before the week is up, but it has been a mentally draining week for me- I wonder if I would have gone up so many if I had had an easy week- well never mind, it doesn't really matter as Nal+Drinking=Cure!

The only way you can do this wrong is by drinking without taking Nal. That is the beauty of it all. You need to go there to get here. You are doing it right. You are doing great.

Congrats on another week.

Time for an update.

I am coming to the end of week 4. I started the week really well, just 3 drinks a night, (not trying to stick to 3, but after 3 I have had enough and don't fancy another one). One night I only had 2!

I have a convenience store, the business is only 5 months old but it is doing quite well as I sell lots of British goods and there are plenty of expats in my area. (I live in Spain). Some of this stuff I order of an export company, but the week I opened the shop I met a lorry driver who comes from the UK every week, and he offered to bring me stuff over, I pay him a percentage of whatever I order. This is fantastic for the business as I am able to get him to bring fresh stuff which people just cannot get anywhere here- whereas the other company just supplies tins and dry products.

As the business has become busier, my orders are getting bigger- the last time he moaned a bit as he had trouble getting it in the cab. Then he did not come for a week or two, so this time I had to do a REALLY big order- I actually did not realise how bulky it would be until I had already ordered i and looked at the list (I order it on the net and get it delivered to his house) and it was a bit late then:)

Anyway to cut a long story short... he called yesterday to say he was nearly in town and could I meet him at the car park to get the stuff. I asked my BF to go, who came back half an hour later with a van piled completely full(!) and said to me very angrily. "He is pissed- he says it is the last time, and he is on his way here!"

Now, me in my alkie mind thought the driver had been drinking and was planning to go on the wagon.

I was about to say that was very dangerous when he had to drive a big lorry, then I realised my BF meant he was angry (He is half American, half German- us Brits do not say 'pissed' for angry) and was on his way to bollock me.
My BF then accused me of nearly losing the guy his job- I was furious at him as he had ordered half the stuff anyway and had given me big lists of stuff that his friends wanted, and was now blaming me. I yelled at him it was 'No wonder the Germans lost the friggin' war with turncoats like him' and booted him out.

I then swallowed a Nal and knocked back 2 beers in ten minutes while I waited for my bollocking.

Needless to say, within about 45 seconds I had calmed this man down (you don't work for 25 years in bars in a tourist resort without learning how to difuse angry situations) and he left the shop a happy bunny.

But I had the taste for it, and drunk another 4 beers when I got home.

This has been a big lesson for me. Nal can and is helping me with the physical side of my addiction, but I have to toughen up emotionally. This was not a major row or anything, in fact my BF apologised almost immediately (as he should of- I will get mileage out of this one:) but I have to look at my impulse to chuck beer down my neck as soon as a situation that may not be entirely pleasant comes along.

I did not even wait one minute, never mind the hour- I washed the Nal down with beer.

I don't feel quite so good about myself today as I have done all week. Anyway, I am not going to dwell on it- I have a mild hangover, so of to walk the doggies and hopefully sweat it out.

Hi Marby, now I understand why SR said I should listen to you! Keep posting, it's really great seeing your progress, especially in the light of life's ups and downs.

SR said that because he is very sagacious.

Marby -
I just loved this story! Sorry about the conflicts and all, and it was hard to figure out who was pissed at whom, who got booted out, who is the American/German - your BF or the lorry driver?? etc -

I know it was a lesson in what triggers drinking, but I just love it that you are in Spain and the whole global awareness/ consumption thing w/ you & your BF, the lorry driver (I'm assuming a delivery guy of sorts in a big truck?? LOL)...

Great story - so when are you going to invite us all over?? We gals can have a slumber party at your place, solve all the problems of our lives and then tackle the world...all the while sipping demurely on perhaps several less cocktails w/ NTX in our systems! :-)