I'm new to this forum and new to trying TSM. I started the Naltrexone roughly 5 weeks ago. I have had ups and downs thinking I was going to get immediate relief. I've been drinking since I was 15 now over 50 and a daily drinker. I've been logging my units some days stick to what I measure out that seems to help so I don't lose control. I still have that pesky voice that wants me to have more than what I've measured for my evening drinks that I look forward to. I am hoping that this Nal effect will kick in soon. I've just re-ordered on line a 90 day supply. Am I right that I've been drinking for a long time so it may take longer for Nal to work for me?

The positive that I have found is that I don't have side effects and have actually seen my morning headaches reduced that is if I can stick to my measured units for the day.

I suppose the addiction is more "ingrained" in terms of psyche and habits after all those years. Naltrexone is just a TOOL to MAKE IT EASIER for you to quit drinking. What I've learned here is that it certainly doesn't stop people from drinking. TSM gives you, let's say, 20%, and the other 80% is all in your head, will, soul, spirit, whatever you want to call it.

Theoretically, though, it shouldn't take proportionately longer to be cured after 35 years versus 2 years of addiction (ie it won't take 17.5 times longer). I've seen people cut down permanently to 0-2 drinks a day, after 40 years of heavy drinking, WITHIN A WEEK OF STARTING TSM! So, remember, it's YOU putting the stuff in your mouth.

I'm with Barry. I've read of no physiological burden that longtime users like you and I have, versus a recently-commissioned addict. My anecdotal experience complies with that: NAL immediately changed my drinking desires and thus helped me greatly in my incipient effort to start changing my habits. I also think that we have to take a brutal look inside ourselves and decide if we are on TSM to eliminate a toxic lifestyle, or if we secretly yearn for NAL to afford us more time in the lifestyle. I know that I rationalized a whole raft of excuses over the past 10 years.

I believe the real work is in restructuring how we think about drinking and not drinking, and how we manage our professional, social and intimate relationships so as not to sustain the old destructive habits. Success in anything is usually a function of habit. We have a longterm habit that is fatal, at some point. Changing longterm habits is nontrivial. It's just very hard. I start my day with readings in psychology these days. They help me understand some of the bad choices, evasions, and self-handicapping I have practiced in regard to alcohol. Then I am launched into my day with hope and a clear sense that I can and will succeed. (Too bad that excitement doesn't last through lunch! ha-ha.) These readings are how I psych myself up.

The NAL is proven if TSM is rigorously followed. It's hard to imagine a more promising portfolio of clinical studies. Question is, do we have the discipline to follow TSM as defined and only as defined? And do we have the true desire to change? Just my $0.02.

Best $0.02 I've read all day!

When I was a boy, growing up somewhere in flyover country, before the 10 p.m. news the local stations would flash a screen: "It's 10 p.m. Do you know where your children are?"

This evening, thanks to the NAL, I know two things: a) it's not 10 p.m. yet; and b) I know exactly where I am and I will know tomorrow, where I was, and what I was doing, when I wake tomorrow. Small favors of sobriety.

It takes about 4 to 6 months for the Sinclair method to kick in. So you can not judge if its working for you until you've been at least 6 months on it, for some a little longer.