all41

You seem to be getting your life together. You say "if you can stop without craving" you will stop, although you could drink.

I think that would be my choice too, however just to stop the constant thoughts of drinking would be great. I'm happy, let's drink. I'm stressed, let's drink. I'm on holiday, let's drink.

I'm sitting here in Ireland and earlier I saw the mist roll in across the mountain, time to settle in front of the fire for the night but right now I can't even imagine what a normal person does. For me this moment needs a drink to Make it even better.

Thistime just reading this made me conjour up in my head having a bottle of wine in that charming cottage so I don't think you are alone with the cravings in certain settings. It just sounds so lovely!

I might be wrong here... BUT aren't there some situations where it is post TSM still going to be fine to enjoy a drink. We all want to get rid of the pointless binges we have, and the continuous nagging to drink, However I for one still hope I can occasionally sit by a fire with the cold and the rain outside and enjoy a drink or 3.

I have been lucky enough to rent a cottage by a river in the Scottish highlands, its very remote and when it gets dark and the fire is spitting away and there is a half bottle of red wine.. I am a happy bunny.

Been thinking about this sort of stuff lots, I guess I would give up all those glowing happy times (red wine/fire, white wine/fresh fish, port/cheese, sauterene, beer/hot day, bitter/end of a long walk) to have more control... maybe its too much to ask...

No you're correct, it's because of these very special occasions that I have failed giving up using willpower so many many times before.

TSM is science/pharmaceutical medicine. It's changing the alcoholics brain.

I for one intend to stay the course and regain control, perhaps then I will decide that even drinking at my beloved Irish cottage isn't such a big deal after all. Who knows?

Hi nigelr, what does 'post' TSM mean to you? Do you mean drinking without Nal? Or just ridding yourself of the insanity around drinking? Probably something of the later. For me, my goal is indifference and if the occasion comes up to drink, and I want to drink and percieve some benefit from it, then I will. That's kind of what I am doing now .. but today occasionally is about five days a week 1-3 drinks. Eventually, I'd like to see that drop to as many days a month, then even a year. Sounds absurd, but not as absurd as it would have 10 weeks ago. My firm resolve is never to drink without Nal, not when cured, not ever. To me that is still TSM even post extinction of the compulsiveness. Maybe this idea will change at some point and it will no longer be TSM but be more like someone who is lactose intolerant and take a pill before enjoying whipped cream on a pie.

Yes I meant after TsM as in when cured/not fussed about alcohol. There are some nice things about alcohol, the relaxation, the taste that I cant at the moment see myself not wanting. However these thought are also probably made up by my subconscious, I remember the first taste of beer being horrible, and why would you want to deliberately zonk yourself out.

Week 8

Not much to report really, it's eight weeks in and definitely not had any eureka moments yet.

Trying to be more mindful but it's too early and I'm not feeling anything that different. Anything I feel that maybe subtle changes could also just be placebo.

My Doctor thinks that 2/3 months is the timescale to see success and he is already preparing the ground for stopping my Nalmefene prescription, I may have to review and decide if I'm going to continue with online ordering.

Started 7 October 2014

Pre TSM = 70+ USA units
Week 1. 48
Week 2. 45 (1AF day)
Week 3. 50
Week 4. 54
Week 5. 56
Week 6. 56
Week 7. 60

Well done thistime. 2 months closer to indifference and the hardest part is over. Keep your momentum going at all costs, stay the course. Your Dr. is wrong and your future numbers will show it. Your love for your Irish cottage will only grow and the concept that alcohol has a relaxing effect and is beneficial in your life will be exposed as a lie.

PlantprO

Wonderful just really wonderful, the thoughts of enjoying everyday pleasures without alcohol is just mind blowing to me right now. Your a good guy thanks.

hello thistime2014........from everything I've read quitting after only 2-3 months would be a mistake, especially if you're older (than some) and have been drinking for a long time. I got drunk for the first time nearly 45 years ago so I'm not looking for a quick fixmore like a long slog in the mud to reach higher ground.