I haven’t posted in months here, and this will be my last post, but I feel I have a responsibility to write it.

TSM was a colossal failure for me. I followed the protocol to the letter for the better part of a year, and had some initial reduction in my consumption, but eventually just started chasing the buzz again because I wasn’t getting pleasure out of booze or anything else. (I did completely lose my desire for coffee and now cannot drink a cup without being mostly repulsed.) I understand that some drinkers need up to 2 years to recover on NAL, but I did not have the stamina or discipline to continue the regimen that long after seeing so little success. I am drinking more now than I ever have, and my only conclusion is that I’ll have to quit entirely when I can muster the courage.

I have to conclude that NAL doesn’t work well for people like me who drink lightly all day rather than in concentrated heavy sessions. I’m not sure what happened to my opioid receptors, but I’ve found that lately I’d rather make excuses to hole up in the house and sip a drink than do any of the things I used to enjoy before TSM. I can sometimes force myself to go for a hike or do some other activity, but there’s little pleasure in it. As a result I’ve gained probably 15 pounds since starting TSM, although I can’t bring myself to step on the scale and find out for sure (and I’ve been a lifelong, high-level athlete, so this just compounds my depression).

I wish the best of luck to all of you out there struggling like me, but I just want to warn that NAL is a powerful drug that will change your brain, and possibly your experience of the world. Namaste.

Kate - I have PM'd you - PLEASE do not give up !!!

I am sorry to hear that it didn't work for you. Yes I have heard that one lasting effect is hyper sensitive endorphin receptors. Alcohol stopped me from being a high level athlete - it was only when I started TSM and my intake lowered was I able to train and compete again. So not the same experience you have had.

I had also heard that it seems to be more successful with bingers however I have real - life experience of someone who drank steadily from midday to evening, for a long period, was functional and for whom TSM really did work. Completely different drinker to myself, and they saw the same success.

When you say you chased the buzz, was this an active decision?The reason I ask is that I feel if you really want to, that TSM can be drank through and perhaps baclofen would be of more help.

I hope you get something sorted out and soon.

I have no idea if Nal IS going to work for me - but I am a drinker who starts around noon or just after and drinks until about 5.00 .... so it will be interesting to see if it works for me.