I've been keeping a log book of what I drink. Been so busy fixing air conditioners I haven't got on the forums. I took your advise and cut my 50 mg pills into quarters. The first three days on nal I was sick as a dog, but after that the sickness went away. I bumped up to half a pill a day over the weekend and then Monday I started the full 50mg. Still drinking the same amount but I do kinda feel like I could stop part way through if I wanted, but after what ive been through the last week or so I just wanted to drink. Glad to hear its helping you.

Ok, I went on a bit of a bender yesterday and actually felt better this morning than I have in a long time. How strange is that? Perhaps I drank so much that I still have enough alcohol left in my system to keep me from feeling withdrawals? Has anyone else experienced this? I find it a bit disturbing but am not going to stress over it.

My boys come back from their Dad's on Sunday. I'm really looking forward to that. It gives me a reason to get up in the morning and go out and do fun things with them. They are truly a source of strength for me.

Here's hoping you are all having a wonderful Nal or AF day!

Cindy

Hi Cindy. Glad your boys are going to be with you again - sounds like that's really cheering you up. Are you setting some goals for yourself, or are you hoping to 'cut back' in general?

Your bender doesn't sound like much fun, but maybe you needed to get it out of your system. Hope the weekend is better for you. Hang in there.
Babs

Yep, I was right, delayed hangover.

It really wasn't much of a bender, just a few more glasses of wine than usual. Maybe I was trying to chase that buzz. I eventually hope to be AF, but I'm taking it slow and letting the Nal do its work. I'm trying to cut back a little at a time.

Cindy

Yah, Wednesday was a bit over-indulgent for me as well. And I felt it Thursday, mild hang/Nalover so I started "nursing" that when I got home from my Dr.'s appointment, and never let up, leading to a double-digit day, my first in a while. I just kept remembering what my Dr. said, it's all part of the process. And the trajectory is not a straight line.

Hang in there, Miss Cindy! You're awesome.

Theres been a few nights after starting Nal that I had drank a few more than my usual and expected a pretty bad hangover and didn't get one. I was like don't tell me this stuff can let me drink more and feel better the next day LOL. I think it might actually be that my stress level is slightly lower (ok work is nutzo) but im not so worried about how im going to stop drinking, when its going to kill me etc etc. Im working this method and am hopeful and not so fearful about my alcohol issues. Usually I would wake up hungover, and be dealing with all my normal everyday stress compounded with this gloomy feeling of I cant live like this anymore, I can't take it etc etc.

Hi Everyone,

I figured it was time for a post as I've been "off the grid" for a while. That seems to be my M.O. hitting something full force, then abandoning it for a while. Probably an alcoholic tendency; I can't seem to follow through on much. Thankfully, taking the nal doesn't take a whole lot of effort. Take the pill, wait an hour, then start drinking. I can't see much progress yet, but its only week 3, I'll hang in there as long as it takes.

I spent today trying to figure out how to unclog the toilet. I woke up this morning to a big stinky mess one of my boys decided to surprise me with. I tried plunging, snaking, pouring in Draino, all to no avail. The toilet kept overflowing and I was up to my ankles in ICK!! My kids heard things explode from my mouth that they don't often hear Finally, as a last resort before calling the plumber, I contacted my landlord. He came over, and unplugged it with the plunger in about 2 seconds Geez, sometimes I get so tired of feeling like a dumbass. I DON'T want to be that pathetic single woman, living by herself, who can't even unclog her frickin' toilet!!

More complaints.....I'm so tired of feeling crappy all of the time. I want my AF life to come NOW!! E-gads I'm 49 years old and can hardly make it through my part-time work day because I'm constantly hungover. I did have a revelation this morning though. I fell asleep last night unexpectedly (without taking my multiple sleep aides) and woke up relatively early this morning with a "bee in my bonnet". I actually felt good, rested, and ready to face the day. It didn't take me long to realize it was because I hadn't taken any drugs the night before. So here I am, on multiple antidepressants, prescription sleep aides, etc, etc. and I now think that I wouldn't require any of that crap if it wasn't for my drinking. I am a prescription drug addict as well!! I have got to get off of this crazy merry-go-round before I self-destruct.

My routine right now is one bottle of wine a night. I'm not having a problem maintaining that but I need to set some goals. There are 2 weeks left in August so I will try for 1 AF day a week and perhaps hit the gym for some easy cardio 3 days a week. My body is seriously atrophied and the longer I wait, the worse its going to get.

White light and positive energy to all,
Cindy

Cindy,

What's worked for me is to have the goal of an AF for the week, but don't plan the day. Just know that's your goal and one of those days just slip it in. My AB will fight me if he knows what the day is but I can ambush him with a last minute decision.

Rich

Hi Cindy - thanks for sending out your positive energy - it just spilled out over the computer!! It's really great to read about your progress and your planning.

Keep up the good work!
Babs

Hi Cindy,

Glad you're checking back in. My first three weeks on TSM were pretty constant, i.e. not much decline, but at least not as bad as the last few weeks immediately preceding TSM. Keep staying the course!

Yes, isn't it wonderful to get a glimpse of how you're going to feel all the time once the drinking and reliance on other substances are under control. I'm pretty thrilled just being for the most part hangover-free this past week. It opens up so many other doors.

As to AF days, I'm not quite there yet but I like Rich's advice. I almost had an SF Sunday. I had put off my bike ride till 6:30 so it would be cooler, and then took a break midway through down by the lake. On the ride home, I debated whether to take the Nal when I got home, because it would be 9pm by the time I could have a glass of wine. But once the thought lodged, I couldn't shake it, so I did let what could have been an easy opportunity slip by. It didn't really bother me though; last week was a big improvement overall, and as more time and more drinks go by, it will become that much easier (I'm hoping!) to let that AF day happen somewhat organically.

Take care!