I happened to hear the end of a Claudia Christian interview on the radio recently and, intrigued, bought her book. I'm still intrigued....

I quit drinking in '89 w/ the help of AA but, for some reason, in January of 2008 I thought maybe I could drink normally.

It started out okay, but gradually, since then, I've seen my cravings (and drinking) increase and my drunkness get out of control. Currently, I drink about 3-4 times per week and I have an average of 5 to 6 drinks per night when I do drink. Most of the time I don't black out, but occasionaly I do. I feel FINE most of the time (during the day), but there are certain triggers that compell me to drink. Dumb things, like it's night or it's Friday night! or I haven't had a drink in two days. I am so confounded by all this. I definiteley think it's a biological thing. The reason why is because the benefit I gain is so little compared to the cost.

I've ordered my Naltrexone and will try it but I'm scared. I don't have bad hangovers usually and don't want them to start! I have read about people having bad hangovers. I need to function for work.

Thank you for being here!

Welcome to the board and good luck in your journey.

I haven't read the Claudia Christian book but have read Dr Eskapa's and would recommend it.

I'm still fairly new to TSM (Week 4) but have noticed a big change in my drinking already. I think the Naltrexone affects people differently. Some have little or no side effects and some have a really tough time tolerating it. I found that I was very nauseous with it at first but haven't had any problems with hangovers. I guess you won't know until you try, but I wouldn't let it put you off.

Let us know how you get on with it...wishing you well.

Hi maggiemay and welcome aboard

As Ruth mentioned some have had side effects taking naltrexone full dose but I have not had any so don't expect any and you may not. Don't be afraid! If you can, take your first on the weekend so you won't have to worry about the hangover. I notice that I feel differently the next day but I don't drink enough in each session to get a real hangover. You'll likely drink less anyway but start on that "Friday night" you mentioned and if you don't work Saturdays you'll at least have a buffer.

If you'd like to chart your progress you might start in the Weekly Progress section but you don't have to do that if you'd rather just pop in and out.

So glad you found us
Babs

I ordered nal as soon as I read about it, but it is nordict. Does everyone have a problem w/ this brand? I'll try it. In the meantime, I also ordered other brand, I forget what it's called.

I also want to add that I don't want to order book because I don't want family to see it. Can Ijust start taking NAl and keep ajournal and be okay?

So sad, I keep replyingto myself! LOL! Ineed to describe my drinking further, what concerns me.... I know it'snot normal to sneak drinks like I do when going out (I actually enjoy the sneaking in addition to the drinking). I do that out of fear of running out, which I know is common.

Im SO tired of my impulsvness during the week which leads me to fatigue and *mild* hangover at work. I feel grateful for the hangover which keeps me frm drinking the next day.

Its crazy!

Hi Maggiemay

New myself, so i cant really answer your questions, other than to let you know my own experience so far.

I am on the Revia brand.
so far it seems to be working. I did experience slight nausea and fatigue the first 3 days on 25mg.. But I when I upped it to 50mg the nausea stopped. I still feel a small effect but its so small I dont know how best to describe it. fatigue? or just slightly floaty? but its very minimal for me. Certainly nothing that prevents me from doing my daily chores. I havent had any hang over effects.

I hope this works for you.
I definitely would recommend reading
The Cure for Alcoholism:
Drink Your Way Sober Without Willpower, Abstinence Or Discomfort
It only took me a day or so to read it.
I really feel you should fully comprehend what you are doing and why, especially as its controversial and not the main stream accepted method.
I know how it can be hard in a situation where you have little to no privacy in life and yet you say you can sneak a drink.. so =) i am sure you can sneak a book !

maggiemay,

I guess you don't have to read the book, but I think it would be very useful. It helped me to fully understand the reasons why I would be taking Nal and what was going on in my brain to make me crave alcohol. I found it very easy to read. I also didn't want my family to know but I managed to read it without them seeing it.

Sneaking drinks and a fear of running out may not be "normal" but I think you'll find that lots of people on here (including myself) have been there, done that.

Good luck,

Ruth.

Hi maggiemay, yes, sneaking drinks was very normal for me too. Boy, I can even remember tucking drinks away in the cupboard so I'd have something to drink in the morning when the bottle was empty when I went to bed - pretty pathetic - who was I fooling anyway But drunks will do some pretty silly things, no? Even now when my quantity is down I still have that feeling that I'd better top up while my DH's back is turned. It's the strangest feeling when I know I don't "have" to do that.

If possible get yourself a Kindle, or a Nook. That's the only way I am able to read books in private. My husband would never say anything if he saw me reading a self-help book but I would feel terribly self conscious so I download them. I just feel better somehow having that bit of privacy. So give that a try. The least expensive Kindle is about $85 I think.

I think there is enough information here on the board without reading the TSM book but that means a lot of reading too - at least it would be private though. I found the book to be so interesting in a scientific way - and very affirming that finally science was all over this problem - we weren't all crazy, lazy, drunks - there really was something going on in our brains and there was help!! That makes reading the book very worthwhile.
Babs.

Wake up Maggie, I think I've got something to say to you...

Sorry, couldn't resist. Here's a link to the most condensed chapter in Dr. Eskapa's book, designed as a summary for medical professionals, and thus a great (free!) excerpt for anyone not able to get their hands on the book itself. I agree, though, the book is a great read; I enjoyed the featured success stories, but we've got lots of those here on this forum.

http://www.thesinclairmethod.com/downlo ... m-Ch17.pdf

Let us know what you think, and good luck with your Naltrexone! I'm very hopeful about it working for me, as I've tried lots of other avenues with no lasting success.