Thought I'd start posting my progress - thought it may be therapeutic

On my second week started 2 weekends ago. I don't drink a lot during the week but usually every night 3 to 4 beers. Weekends are my trouble spot.

1st weekend only did 25mg each day and had a little upset stomach but did slow down a little and cravings were definitely down. Beer (my weakness) did not taste too good. And I did not drink to point of passing out like I normally do.

Last week still drank every night still taking 25 mg - after taking the pill had to push my self to drink. Cravings definitely down but since I took the pill thought I'd work on the extinction part. Last weekend still consumed quite a bit, but less than normal and did not drink a lot real fast toward the end of the night followed by binge eating and passing out like I normally do.

This week a couple of alcohol free days which is no big deal for me - every once in awhile I will do that. By Weds the desire for a beer was definitely picked up and beer actually tasted good. Wondering if the 1st weeks were the honeymoon period that I heard described. We'll see what the weekend brings

The honeymoon period is very common. You may go back to 50+/week for awhile. Be prepared for the long haul. TSM almost always takes a few months to work, often a year or longer to reach a state where you'll feel comfortable calling yourself "cured."

Made it thru weekend and did not drink till I passed out. My wife was wondering what was going on. Used to seeing me on the weekends drinking beer till I go to bed or pass out. I have not told her yet about tsm. I don't think she'd understand the treatment.

One down side was even though I drank less I actually felt worst the next day. I'm guessing it from the naltrexone. I would have thought that I'd feel pretty good the next day. I did read other posts that said people felt worst hangovers when taking the pill.

Not sure if it is related to the pill or something else but man I'm pretty tired nowadays. Plus drinking sure seems to affect me more the next day. Had a six pack last night and I feel like I did when I would drink a 12 pack on Fridays. Maybe even worst.

It is very commonly reported that naltrexone will increase the intensity of a hangover. Sometimes called a "nal-over." It sucks, but some people consider it to be a good negative reinforcement to discourage heavier drinking.

It may take awhile for your body to fully acclimate to the naltrexone. Are you up to 50 mg/day yet? After you have been at a steady dose for a couple of weeks, the side effects such as tiredness and nausea become negligible for most.

Yep been taking 50mg for a couple weeks now. You're right about the nal-over. If I would have only drank a six on Friday prior to starting this I would have felt great the next day. With the Nal - I felt like I tied a good one on. Nausea has not been a problem for awhile. I'm as little more encouraged to have more AF days during the week - not worth taking the pill for a couple beers that I don't enjoy.

I do miss the initial buz feeling I got pre Nal from a couple beers. It just sucks that craving got so bad after I reached a certain that I drank too much once started.

I wonder how many that people that once are "Cured" actually enjoy having a couple drinks in moderation. I'm not seeing it for me.

Sitting on Friday watching a movie sober and relaxed. Going on 4 weekends wo passing out on Friday. That's progress.

That's great. Looks like your total consumption is down, as well as having more AF days.

Sounds good, palerider. Glad to see it's working for you.
Ruth.

The biggest issue I'm having is that although my consumption is down 30% I'm extremely tired everyday - has to be the NAL. Its been a month now and I thought I'd be over this side effect. I really don't want to start hitting the coffee - don't like the spikes it gives me. Can't have this stuff affecting my work. I'm at the point that I will need to give up drinking altogether or give up the Nal. . Have some serious work coming up and have to be at the top of my game.