Hey Ruthy,

Thanks for the post back. I'm not going to pretend to know what I'm talking about but I feel compelled to share some of my brainstorming ideas because I have a natural tendency to try and solve problems.

I don't know if this would help but my parents are addicted to gambling too. I think they spend 2-4 hours a day gambling on poker sites. BUT, they only gamble with play money. They still seem to get the thrill. They play mostly on ZagNet and PartyPoker.com. My dad is up to over $1M in play money. He loves beating the other players and they can socialize online if they want to while they are playing or not.

Another thought that comes to mind is that Bingo is a form of gambling. It's not too expensive here in our Bingo halls and it's quite fun.

One thing me and my other 40ish ladies have talked about is rediscovering our passion by looking at what brought us joy in our youth and finding an adult version of it. I loved to dance when I was younger but I'm too old to dance like I did when I was a kid. Then I found Latin Ballroom dancing and got "HOOKED"! It's another addiction due to the endorphin rush (which I hope the NAL does not stifle). Hopefully if I'm drinking less, I can dance more.

Some of my other friends have taken up other passions like tennis, yoga, gardening, knitting, or blogging.

I don't know if this will help generate some ideas but I do wish you all the best and I will be keeping up with you on the journey down this road.

Thanks for the responses...it's always good to hear from other kindred spirits!

Mer1962,
I'm sorry to hear that you're still having some side effects. I know that for many people they clear up within the first week or two, but other people just aren't so lucky. At least you are seeing results at a lower dosage, and as you say time will tell. I guess you'll just have to learn from trial and error...increase your dose slowly and see how you go. Thankfully, I don't have any side effects anymore.
Lorraine,
I posted over on your thread, but just want to say hi and hang in there. I know it's a bummer that you've not had your Nal and that things have slid backwards a bit. I can feel your disappointment, but remember you're not the first person to find youself in this position. You'll learn a valuable lesson from these last few months and when you're back on track you won't make the same mistake again. Christmas will be here before we know it, and by that time the Nal will have kicked in and the 2 "voices" in your head will be much quieter too! I've no doubt that you can look forward to feeling a whole lot happier and more positive.
Crazylady,
Thanks for taking the time to share your ideas. I think that I'm better off just avoiding the gambling all together. If there is anything to the addictive personality idea, I really don't want to take the chance of swapping one bad habit for another. I like your idea of finding an adult version of a childhood passion and I'm going to give it some thought. I always feel better when I'm occupied doing something active or interesting and I need to make that a priority. I'm a stay at home Mum, and although I feel fortunate that I don't have to work, the days can be very long (and boring) as both of my children are at school/college. There's a limit to how much washing and ironing a girl wants to do!! Thanks for the suggestions.

Hope you all have a good weekend x

Ruthy,

So inspired to read about your continuing progress! I hope to be able to share such an encouraging story someday. Actually, I'm not unhappy with my own progress; it's a major improvement to my pre-TSM days. I just want to get beyond where I am. Faster.

Ruthy, I am so happy for you that your side effects went away quickly! Maybe mine will eventually too. At least I can look forward to the future, when I have hopefully many AF days in a row, and I only have to take the Nal on days when I choose to drink (if all goes well, of course). The side effects will just have to part of the decision on drinking days. And if I know I'll feel a bit yucky, perhaps it will be a further deterrence.

Thank heavens we don't have to take this med every day for the rest of our lives, drinking or not.

Sheryl,



I think you already are! Anybody that reads your progress will be inspired by your success. To have halved your units is no mean feat, but more importantly there's been a whole change in your attitude and outlook. I think we all want to get to the finishing line as quickly as possible, but I have to remind myself that this is a marathon not a sprint. I quite like that it's taking a little while...I tell myself that it gives me time to adjust to my "new" life and that this time allows the changes to become fixed and concrete. You'll be at the end before you know it.

Mer1962,
I agree with you about the side effects being a part of the decision making on drinking days. I guess that's a bit like "normal" drinkers deciding how many drinks to have based on their chances of getting a hangover. Because I'm now only drinking a fairly small amount on weekdays (usually just one small glass of wine) I am getting to the point where I'm starting to find myself thinking "Is it worth taking the Nal just for one drink? Shall I just not bother to drink today?". Not because of side effects, but just a slow growing feeling that's questioning whether it's worth it for such a small amount of booze.

Week 14 update.

It's all good in the hood!!

I had a few days where the craving for that first drink of the day had intensified, (but oddly) the amount I drank didn't increase. Before I poured a glass, I really wanted it and would have guessed that I'd go on to have quite a few. However, after one small glass I was completely satisfied and didn't want any more. That then went away and the rest of the week has been business as usual. I'm really finding that pouring small glasses is helping me a lot. I'm using a champagne flute (125mls...closer to a thimble than a glass!). My mood is a bit more even this week, which is good, but I've started having some crazy dreams again. I'm wondering whether it's because I've switched to a different brand....who knows?

The UK Government guidelines for safe drinking for women says a maximum of 18 units per week with 2 AF days. This week I managed 19 units and 1 AF...I'm chuffed that I'm so close to being within the guidelines.

Week 14 total UK units 19 (approx. two bottles of wine)

Way to go, Ruthy!!! That is awesome news!!!

And yes, what you said about debating whether taking the Nal (or drinking) is worth it - exactly spot on!

Congrats Ruthy that's great news , I am on week six and you know I think my dreams are getting very weird , they were odd before but I think since starting nal they have taken on a whole new level. All the best

J.

That is FANTASTIC!

I love that feeling!

Update for weeks 15 and 16

Am going to post my updates fortnightly now as, to be honest, there's not a lot going on and I don't have a lot to write about.
I'm continuing to follow the protocol and am seeing slow, steady progress. Here are a few of the things that I've noticed in the last two weeks which make me happy and signal success...

There's a whole lot less bottles in the glass recycling box! I used to be embarrassed to put the box out for collection and, when things were really bad, I would take my bottles by car to the tip so that no-one would see just how much wine I'd got through. Now I feel quite proud that there's more cooking sauce and peanut butter jars than booze bottles.

We went to the theatre to see a show. We had a meal before the show and I shared a bottle of wine with my husband and that was it for the night. I didn't have a single drink at the theatre...I don't think I've done that since childhood.

I offered to drive (and meant it!) for a night out with my friends.

I had my birthday and I could remember it the next day!

I'm hitting my target of one AF day per week, and am going to try and up it to two.

Drum roll please....week 16 I hit my target of getting within the UK government "safe drinking" levels (18 units or less with two AF days) Woohoo!! Not saying I'll do the same next week, but chuffed that I made it this week.

Total UK units
Week 15: 23 1AF
Week 16: 17 2AF

I hope everyone is doing ok. For a while there was a group of us all posting at the same time. I haven't seen any posts lately from Sheryl (writer), Rich, Trisha, Marianne,Miss Cindy or Lorraine and I'm just wondering how you're all doing. If any of you are reading this I just wanted to say Hi and I hope you're ok.