Hi all

This is my 2nd post here, so still early days. Had AF day last Friday 17/10/2014 and it was not so hard. Went back to Doctor for follow up and got another 2 weeks supply of Nalmefene.

Drinking levelled out approx 12 uk units per night.

Despite what should be steady progress during my early days, I'm actually feeling quite low, don't normally suffer many low moods but I've gone from a high, "I've found the answer" to having "Grave doubts". It's like heading on the road towards the promised land without anyone else on it. I start thinking, is this really happening/the way to go.

This forum is just so quiet, thank goodness for the few cured folk who have stayed around to give us fledglings some encouragement.

My Doctor is not really enthusiastic, my darling wife is "let's wait and see" are you sure you're allowed to drink through this?

Most of me believe the science but I'm a bit unsure that whilst I drink as normal without forcing something else to happen that it is going to happen just like that!

I'm so happy for those that have such early results but I'm thinking that I'm going to be a long term case which gives some concerns regarding my doc, as he seems to think we will try this for 3 months and then try something else.

Anyhow I intend to continue as long as I can convince doc to prescribe Nal.

Pre TSM 18/19uk units per day (120+ uk units per week).
Week One
7/10. 11 units
8/10. 11 units
9/10. 13 units
10/10 11 units
11/10 11 units
12/10 13 units
13/10 11 units (81 uk units per week)
Week Two
14/10 11 units
15/10 12 units
16/10 13 units
17/10 0 units
18/10 14 units ouch going the wrong way!
19/10 13 units
20/10 12 units
21/10 12 units
22/10 13 units
23/10 tried and failed at AF night 11 units

Do you feel the same high when you drink on Nal? For me the first couple weeks - especially week one - I drank about the same, mostly out of habit. But it felt more physical, and drinking made me much more tired than normal. I didn't get that rush, that confidence, the reward. While drinking on Nal have you had the feeling at any point that you don't need it, but do it anyway? I think this is also a good sign leading to extinction. Anything different than the 'normal' attitude and reward while drinking in my opinion is a good sign. The limbic (reward) part of the brain is powerful and will keep trying to get the reward it expects. Over time using Nal - how much time seems varied from person to person - the reward part of the brain will come to the conclusion that alcohol is not cutting it. Then all the reasons for compulsive drinking just seem to get quieter with little effort. This has been my experience for what it's worth. Be strict with the protocol, give yourself a break otherwise.

Thanks triplab

I relate to all your points, yes drink is different, yes I do get much more tired and I'm sure a big part of my problem is habit. I will stay the course but Im a little frustrated at the moment.

Anyway thanks for your reply.

"Most of me believe the science but I'm a bit unsure that whilst I drink as normal without forcing something else to happen that it is going to happen just like that!

I'm so happy for those that have such early results but I'm thinking that I'm going to be a long term case which gives some concerns regarding my doc, as he seems to think we will try this for 3 months and then try something else.

Anyhow I intend to continue as long as I can convince doc to prescribe Nal. "

It's well worth spending time reading past posts and threads on here and see how it went for different folks. There are wide variations in time to get control, ultimate outcome and success in general.

TSM worked for this author, but certainly not quickly, but well worth it.

Other forums such as My Way Out and The Reddit threads the ONLY answer to drinking abnormally is forced abstinence. It's not the only answer, as abundant evidence here shows.

Choosing the abstinent route would likely mean YEARS of effort, self control, denial and fear of "relapsing"

This avoids all of that.

Give it some time