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DTW - I agree don't set yourself up with an AF promise that far in advance - too much pressure and unnecessary. Kind of know you want that to happen and as you work your way into the weekend let that be a little something you remember when AB starts talking to you....

Oh remember you want to "drive the train"...... Is that really a goal? To be an engineer on a train?

Rich

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Hi Babs,

I think you're doing great. Sanding, painting - these are good things! And you're doing so well with the wine, a couple of glasses here or there - so what? You're thinking about it and that's what counts.

Thank you for the de-clutter motivation. Definitely on my list. And I applaud the Sauces exploration...Cooking doesn't interest me but I am considering a Jane Austin read-a-thon - I have a lovely set of Folio Edition books...

Hope your weekend goes well.

Take care.

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Congratulations on the AF days.

Good luck with your sister and the trial of boundaries and volition she will bring in her suitcase.

Babs, I'm curious why you say moderation isn't an option, because you seem to have no problem with a couple of glasses of wine. I'm afraid you're setting yourself of for failure if you pledge a totally AF life from this monent on in your current circumstances and before this course of Nal/TSM has worked its magic so you truly aren't subject to those obsessive thoughts about alcohol. Wouldn't that be an "easier, softer way?" It certainly seems to be working for me.

Have a lovely weekend. Hang in there with the little sister; they can be such a pain. I know, I am one. Does she know about TSM?

Hi Babs,
Glad to see you here again. The ups and downs and circular thoughts of a drinker, eh? I can certainly relate to some of what you say.

I've been reading Jason Vale's book "Kick The Drink Easily". Some of it's useful, some of it makes me want to scream! Allowing for the fact that we accept there's a chemical (endorphin) brain reaction, for many of us there's also an emotional/psychological factor. The following resonated with me and I thought it might with you too....

"I never suffered physically when I was on the wagon. I was suffering mentally because I felt deprived of something that I wanted. I was miserable in my mind, not my body. I was in a tantrum state, rather like a child who is not allowed to have his toy"

"The fear for most drinkers is that they will not enjoy or cope with their lives in the same way without alcohol."

From reading other posts on here a lot of people seem to decide to cut out alcohol completely. For some, the side effects of taking Nal for only a few drinks don't seem worth it, for others they decide they prefer an alcohol free life and others just find moderation too difficult. You know that you can do AF free days as you've already done some so you've got a good starting point. Do I remember that you said you'd had quiet a long period AF before this time round? A few months? I could be getting mixed up with someone else. However, most people on here who have successfully gone AF completely have done so after a sustained period of time on TSM. Letting the Naltrexone work to reduce the cravings and undo the ingrained endorphin rush seems to have helped them make a success of sobriety. You know yourself best and if you are sure that now is the time, then go for it. I guess I just wonder whether you might be better to Nal on for a bit longer to give yourself the best shot at an AF free future.

I hope you enjoy your weekend and good luck with your sister!!

Ruth.