Hi I am new I have been looking into tsm and think its amazing concept
I was just woundering if anyone hear went from being sober for 2 year or so and
decided to go the tsm root to get rid of the obsession of drinking. And how well will this work
for some one that has not drank for years do you recommend drinking for a month before
starting tsm. Or can I just get started. I think trying tsm is worth the gamble if it has a 80%
success rate to finally rid me of obsession. give me your thoughts advise

I wouldnt start drinking beforehand.

yes sideeffects .I see your pre tsm units at 14.3 and all your af days
that's what I thought my numbers would look like. If I started on nal
before drinking. I think the name of the game is drink your way sober
so you need to do more drinking in the first 6-8 weeks and slowly taper
down for this method to work. looking at your 2.5 units for week one
and the rest of your weeks are all af days . Can the tsm work that fast.
explain how you did this did you relapse and that why your pre tsm units
were only 14.3 ? Thanks

Hi bottomsup

Have a look at this topic. I think you might find it helpful.

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=3205

Chris

Pre tsm was between 14 and 30 per day. Dont know what country you are in, but in the usa "-" character between two numbers indicates a range.

Google operant conditioning. You still have the addiction if you are still craving. Drinking and receiving reinforcement will only make it harder to quit.

<b>Extinguishing a behavior only involves engaging in the behavior and not receiving the reward. </b>Thus, drinkung beforehand only reinforces the addiction.

IMHO, only drink with nal, and only drink what you want to. DON'T force yourself back to your old levels.

You have all the other factors in your favor, unless you start drinking without nal.

THANKS chris that link was very helpful
That guy had 9 years of being sober and still has the desire to drink.
That is the feeling every alcoholic would love to get rid of.The not
drinking is ok for me its the obsession when I am at aparty and see others
drinking and knowing your one drink away from a relapes is what is scary

THANKS Sideaffects for your reply your 14-30 units I screwed up.
What your saying make sense. I will have more control over my drinking if my
craving is down because with the nal it will not allowing inforcement and
I should still be able to get a cure just with less units per week and less time..
I was just impressed with your weekly unit being so low and af days being so high
I just hope nal has that affect on me. If I can come up with those numbers I would
be happiest man. That would change my life .I really appreciate your help with this.

Hi bottomsup,
The link that Chris posted was going to be the same one that I was going to suggest. Did you read it all the way through? I guess it really depends on what you want to get out of this. Are you planning to go back to abstinence after TSM? I know the guy in the link got away from the craving to have a drink and on his last check in is at a place that he's very happy with, but he isn't AF. He's not drinking spirits only beer and wine, but from reading his posts he's having a drink or two most days. He does also point out that he's taking Baclofen which may have helped him.

Bear in mind also that the 80% is only a guide and for many people it takes a lot longer than the 3 to 4 months stated. Have you looked at the Rational Recovery stuff? I have read posts on here from people who have been helped by some of their ideas.

It's such a big decision to take. Being sober for over two years is such an achievement, but I can understand how difficult it must be if you are still having cravings. I'm sure there will be people who think "yes, go for it. TSM is worth a shot" whilst others will be thinking "no way should you give up your sobriety on an experiment which may not work". Only you can decide what you think is best for you. I'm sure you'll research it as much as you can and fully understand the process before you start. I wish you well, whatever course you choose.

Ruth.

Is the craving just getting on your nerves, or are you afraid you'll give in to it? If you're worried about slipping, some just-in-case naltrexone might be a wise precaution.

This is what some say: "Don't drink, but if you drink anyway, take naltrexone first." That isn't the Sinclair Method proper, but it seems to work well for some.

If the craving's just irritating you . . . well, I guess it wouldn't exactly hurt to have some naltrexone in the cupboard, but if I were you I probably wouldn't start drinking just to kill a craving which wasn't affecting my life badly. Why mess with success?

I feel bad for people who've been sober for years and still crave, but TSM for those already abstinent hasn't been much studied as far as I know. You'll basically just have to weigh the pros and cons and decide for yourself.

Thanks Ruthy
I never read through all of chris link but enough to see a couple of people in my situation
had success.But your wright It is hard to make a decision. I don't have any cravings at all
just when I am at a party where people are drinking I am on guard rather than having a good
time.I can go af or just drink on certain events that what I am hopping for.I just want to be
free from worry. I think I have a good shot at this. I have already changed the people I hang
around years a go and that in its self makes a big difference in the amount of units I would
drink. If I pass up a chance at trying TSM I will always wounder if it would have worked for me. And would I be happier right now. Its tuff but I think you can see my point on how and
why I feel the way I do.
PS- Baclofen is that the same as naltrexone or are to take both together?

Thanks Melissa
Yes its the slipping up and the worry of it. I use to really look forward to going to parties
now its like a job I know I will be on guard from the time I get there until I leave.Like I was
telling Ruthy thankfully all my friends are low to moderate drinkers and I do not have to
face this problem very often. but it is a problem . Regular day to day life is great I don't
think about it. I would like to try nal and drink just to get a feel for it .I would love to know if
I would get drawn in right away or if I would have some sort of control over my drinking.
I think I will read some more on it but I just feel I need give it a try.I am glad Ruthy and your
self replied to my post it really helps talking about it to people that understand where your
coming from.