......"Quote..."Summer - when you do not drink for months, do you actually think about it/crave it and just do not drink - is it a conscious decision or is it the way that most people feel the Nal works and that you are more like a normal person ? I cannot imagine having a problem yet you can go for months without a drink!"".......................


..........When I go for months, I feel like an angel virtuous, do not think about drink, go to the pub more with my sister and drink soda and lime. Watch them all get drunk, and come home being able to drive as I live in a village out of town with no pub. One of her so called friends calls me a boring old fart, because I leave early and don't want to join in!

Then all of a sudden I fancy a drink, and before I know it , it has crept back up again. I'm worse drinking in company than when alone which is the opposite to what they advocate. (never drink alone) I buy my quota for the day, when it's finished it's finished.

I am still drinking daily but only 1 big glass of wine instead of 2/3 bottles! It's only a month on NAL so I'm taking things as it comes.

If I drink a bit more, then so be it, it's not the end of the world. I just want to stop the benders I go on, which if my track record was still the same I would be on one now (as I was with my friend at the weekend who drinks a lot)

So for me I'm happy. If I end up knocking booze on the head for good is what I end up, is fine, if it's drinking moderately that's fine too.!

But, it's my mind as you said that still wants it, habit, whatever, that's the difficult one to break. I've drank all my life and it's not going to happen overnight. As someone else said, "let the science do the work"

Good luck, we are about the same level I think? I am in the UK.

Summer

Gosh Summer - I have never heard of anyone's drinking pattern like yours but I understand where you are coming from. If YOU think you have a problem, then you do! I was drinking 2 Guinness a night when I joined MWO and others thought I did not have a problem - but it was a daily occurrence and I could not stop - so to me it WAS a problem!

I am pleased that the Nal is doing it's thing for you - and yes, I had more than I wanted to on Sunday but have accepted it and will let the Nal do it's thing - only had 2 yesterday - poured the third and drank a little then ended up tipping it out - could not face drinking it ! It sounds as if things are working in a similar way for you too!

Hugs, Maggie

[quote="Maggie1929"I am pleased that the Nal is doing it's thing for you - and yes, I had more than I wanted to on Sunday but have accepted it and will let the Nal do it's thing - only had 2 yesterday - poured the third and drank a little then ended up tipping it out - could not face drinking it ![/quote]

sounds like the Nal is working its magic for you Maggie

keep up the good work!

-badger

Hi there badger - good to see you - yes the Nal is sort of working. of course I want it to work faster than it is doing but am okay with the fact that I really do think it is working. My intake is going down, albeit very slowly - but then I wasn't drinking a huge amount to begin with. For me it was too much and the fact that it was daily was not good either - but I am going to keep going with the Nal and have faith that it will work out properly in the end!

I would love to have a break from the Nal for a couple of days though - I feel so flat most of the time. But would have to take Antabuse if I plan on not drinking - I might do that simply to have a break. I don't know if the Nal is making me feel so flat or what - but it is as if I have no feelings or emotions. I do not like it ! I am going through a really stressful time right now at home so that might be what is going on - we are thinking of moving and it is really stressing me out big time.

What does anyone who might read this think about the taking of Antabuse and not having the Nal? I cannot see that it will make any difference.....

Hugs, Maggie xx

hi Maggie,

it looks like you're doing well, your numbers are coming down slowly but surely

sorry that you're feeling "flat" on Nal - I think quite a few people experience this. if you want to have a few days off Nal, & you think you need AB in order to do this, then I don't think that's a problem. do try to plan on doing something fun to take advantage of your up-regulated dopamine receptors

all the best

-badger

Thanks Badger ......

Antabuse in pretty hard on your body, used to take it in about 1/4 the recommended dose to periodically force AF days, but pitched what I had left after starting TSM. I just don't know Maggie, I can see you're wanting a break but only a month in I'd keep plugging away with the naltrexone.

Thanks All - the AB really does a number on my tummy so I can only take 1/4 tab but it stops me drinking for that day (only). I am just fed up with feeling so blah and flat ....... and today I have had four drinks and want another one - usually (since Nal) I do not want more than the 4 - so what is going on ? I am about to pour a 5th and will SO regret it tonight when I cannot sleep and also have hot sweats all night .....

SIGH .......

Maggie, I am so sick and tired of the hot flashes/night sweats too which wake me up every half hour or so and I wake up tired every morning, ughh!
I finally tried last night drinking 2 small glasses of wine, then water. I then went out and ordered a margarita but drank a bottle of water kinda along with my dinner and then after that margarita. I went home and didn't want another drink which normally I would have had. I think drinking water or something non-alcoholic in between drinks may just be the ticket!

Hi Cheeto - I wear a Fitbit and had to smile (albeit an ironic one) - I woke up 15 times last night ! I feel fine though - maybe I am just getting used to it. That seems to be a good idea about trying to drink something in between normal (LOL) drinks. Today I am trying to slow my drinking down. I think I am not going to take the AB for now - will keep going and see what transpires. There is stuff going on in my private life that could also make me feel flat and blah - and that might have been resolved today - watch this space !!!

Maggie xx