Just a couple of thoughts / responses...
*As I said, I'm not regretful for what I did. I was also thinking at the time that I shouldn't let a "method" pin me down, nor should I make decisions based on how it will look amongst my online TSMers. I suppose if you had just given me Naltrexone and said, "Use this medicine to help you control your drinking," I would have likely evolved something different than the official Nal+One Hour = Cure (which, of course, is based on evidence from research, but isn't universally applicable). As it so happens, my strict use of TSM the first five months did indeed radically "reboot" me to pre-addiction levels of drinking and thinking.
*So, here I am tonight, my first night off after drinking 9 nights in a row sans Naltrexone (then working the past two nights in the ER). I have absolutely no cravings, no intention of drinking, and lots of cold beer (Dos Equis Amber!) in the fridge. Once I got back to my routine (in my own house, etc...) I seem to have had no regressions after my beach vacation. I'm also firmly resolved to take 1/2 Naltrexone next time I choose to drink and still am 100% confident that I have truly broken from my past 9 years of dysfunctional, daily drinking.
*What I've learned? Well, you will hear it touted that (a) once you've been on Nal+One Hour for awhile, the first time you drink without it your endorphin system will go wild and you will have this hyper-elation from alcohol, likely leading to a grotesque binge and (b) you will get re-addicted easily if you drink without Naltrexone. I would argue that, in my case, neither of these bore out (especially [a], but as I mentioned, I could sense myself moving towards re-addiction if I kept it up for awhile, perhaps another couple of weeks).
*I also learned that, for me, sunshine and beaches are a major drinking "trigger." Wow. The difference in my general pleasure before and after drinking while in that situation was extraordinary. For example, I was at a beach bar and grill with fun music playing (the whole nine yards), and once I had two beers, it was like entering into a whole new dimension of fun and awesomeness that I would never experience outside of that setting (e.g. at the lake sailing). Luckily, I live nearly 10 hours from the nearest beach!

Barry! You know I love you man. You don't need to feel regretful about anything, particularly if what you are doing continues to work for you. I don't know why alcohol should EVER be a problem for you, because looking at your units, the very first week that you were on TSM, you posted an 11. You have never posted a number that high since.

I love you sharing your experiences on here. It really highlights how this process is different for different people. BUT I've said this before, and I'll now say it again... It seems like your case is exceptional. I am happy to get a week with 11 drinks NOW, after a year of hard work. It took me soooo long and things before were soooo bad, that I can't imagine a reason that could compel me to drink without my nal+1hr. In fact as a minor illustration I was walking by an outdoor cafe at about 7pm today and saw some co-workers outside, in the sunshine, celebrating the beautiful California weather with a beer. They waved me over, but I knew I didn't have time to pop a nal, let it kick in, and have a beer before the cafe closed, so I just waved and walked on.

I can see how you don't see non-compliance as a dangerous thing, because you seem pretty good at controlling yourself without it. You have been very supportive to me and many on here, and I hope you don't take this wrong, but I think following your example could be pretty bad for a lot of us. Not in the way that without nal I would go on a huge binge immediately, but in the way that if I start drinking off of nal here and there, it could be a slippery slope back toward where I used to be. For me - I have been on it long enough and seen enough change that I would probably try to straighten myself back out, but I would worry about someone only a few months in, who has made progress, but isn't anywhere near where they want to be. That person might easily become disenchanted if their chipping led to slowed, stopped, or reverted progress.

Anyway, that's only a disclaimer for other people like me. I absolutely applaud you and your continued success in keeping on the straight and narrow.

Thanks. Like you say, I hope my little experiment doesn't lead more troubled drinkers to attempt 9 nights without Naltrexone. BTW, I went ahead and put a number on that week (32) instead of just cheating with an X (I don't do "units" like most people. For me, a beer=1, pint of liquor=8). So, yes, I drank more in that week than the previous 22 weeks combined, which is pretty amazing to me in retrospect.

Well, I suppose I should just declare that I'm not really using "The Sinclair Method" anymore, and haven't since May. Before you gasp with shock, let me explain. So, last night, we have this annual community pool party we go to. For the past 7 years, I have shown up buzzed / drunk and acted kind of wild. Last night, I went without drinking a drop. I had a great time and some great conversations with old friends. Saturday night, I came home from a rough day at work and nowhere to go, and had a nice, sober night at home. Friday night, I went sailing with friends and had two drinks without Nal. I turned down a third. I felt nice and very much in control. Thursday night, I went out to a super-fancy restaurant and had a total of three drinks without Nal. Again, complete control. I've been able to do all these things (either abstain, or drink moderately in social settings) since Mother's Day weekend in May. I have used Naltrexone only a small handful of times (maybe a total of three pills?).

I'm all for the Sinclair Method, and actually I find Naltrexone very helpful. Two times I took a Naltrexone AFTER I started to get that maniacal "I NEED MORE NOW!" feeling that used to control me. Personally, taking a pill at that point sucks that desire away within minutes. I've also taken it before drinking in situations where I know I would be extra tempted to drink a lot (e.g. with an open bar).

You're probably thinking, "You're going to get addicted again, just like the book says." First, I never experienced the "honeymoon period" nor did I experience a wild endorphin rush the first time I drank without Nal. So, getting re-addicted is something I don't think is going to happen either. I still have 99 pills, though, and will gladly and enthusiastically take them if things change.

Good for you Barry. You obviously have thought this through and know how your addiction works, in your body, and in your life. We are all so different physically and temperamentally and our cures will be just that - different.

The only down side I see in all this is we will lose your friendship It would be very helpful if you would continue to check in when you think of it. It's heartening to read that there are successes of all kinds.

Babs

No, I still plan on being around and posting here. I'm still a big proponent of TSM and Naltrexone, and know that it changed my life. I don't want to discourage anyone from doing either. I'm just acknowledging that I have changed from "The Golden Rule" to "Naltrexone As Needed" and this has worked for me for 2.5 months now. Again, I'll be glad to jump back to the Golden Rule if my situation deteriorates or if I start to get cravings and such. My point is, isn't it most ideal to NOT take Naltrexone and yet still abstain most nights and drink moderately other nights? We shall see.

Hi Barry

It will be interesting to see how you get on . I wish you continued success . I just wonder for some people after a period of taking Nal their old habits have completely changed and maybe for some the new habits become the norm for them with or without nal , all the best

j.

Barry,

You know yourself better than anyone else and I'm sure if you suspect you are heading in the wong direction that Nal count would go from 99 to 98. Please keep checking in here and adding your comments - they are very valuable to us newbies!!

Rich