I am pleased that you did that Nigel - like with the chart that Badger sent me, it is easier to see a downward trend !!

Hugs, Maggie x

It is happening!! And good for you Nigel!! I went back and read some of your posts and thought how very hard it must be for someone whose life revolves around a vineyard. I love love love good wine, and can only imagine if my business life were tied up in it too. But what a gift to figure out a way to get back in control and still be able to enjoy it, just not so much. At least keep open that possibility. So you really have faced a challenge, but are meeting it. Keep going!

Ho Nigelr - The graph looks great! It is easy to see the downward trend on these graphs - and yours looks steady - I am using one too that Badger sent me, but only have 2 weeks input so far so its hard to tell yet - Keep up the work with TSM and keep posting here - it is so great to follow each persons progress on this awesome forum - I hope your week is good - its week 3 for me - Ready

43 units this week, not a lot to report. I spent the week visiting friends and family so didn't have an af day at all.

I have been pondering (again) how much I need to be doing to help with a cure, and it does seem that there are 2 camps, those that say nothing (take pill and drink as normal) and others that say Nal is a tool to help you beat addicition, and that there is some effort required. There have been some changes in me; however I am going to make more af days happen whether I feel like it or not, else I feel that I use the Nal as an excuse to drink even if I don't feel like it.

Pre TSM 30-45 un/wk 1af/wk us units
0 43/0 6 39/0 12 46/0 18 32/2
1 40/0 7 37/0 13 34/1 19 26/2
2 29/2 8 34/0 14 35/0 20 32/2
3 44/1 9 39/0 15 31/2 21 31/2
4 35/2 10 25/3 16 25/2 22 43/0
5 31/3 11 42/0 17 40/0

There are books by Jason Vale and Alan Carr, that will change your view of alcohol

The issue is that while you are still drinking actively, you can't imagine that a life without constant alcohol makes any sense

Thats the alcohol infused brain talking. The more you clear your head of alcohol, the more you will realize the badness of alcohol and want to stop being intoxicated.

So, AF days and not drinking to a state of drunkeness will shift things in that direction

I just spent a few days with inebriated family and friends, and it was just ridiculous. Then I remembered, that was me a year ago ! My wife said "Thank God"

Drinking within reason is fine. The NAL helps, but by itself it is not the answer.

I would agree with Guapo, some people do seem to be so affected by TSM that it doesn't take much effort, but I firmly believe effort and changes have to be made. TSM gives you relief from the overwhelming cravings.

Alcohol also isn't that nice when you can step back and look at it with a critical eye!

thank you Guapo and UK blonde, good thoughts.

I had an o.k week, two days fully AF and one night with very little (1.5 units) my end figure is high as I went to a very late party where I was cooking and so had a lot more than I should have.. in fact probably the most I have had since starting TSM, I do tend to go overboard when I cook and there is good conversation and drink.

I am planning on trying to get to 3 af days a week, and actively do this. I am also going to research the books Guapo suggests.

Pre TSM 30-45 un/wk 1af/wk us units
0 43/0 6 39/0 12 46/0 18 32/2
1 40/0 7 37/0 13 34/1 19 26/2
2 29/2 8 34/0 14 35/0 20 32/2
3 44/1 9 39/0 15 31/2 21 31/2
4 35/2 10 25/3 16 25/2 22 43/0
5 31/3 11 42/0 17 40/0 23 30/2

Nigelr - I really liked the Allan Carr book - the Jason Vale one is a copycat as he worked with Carr - then published his own book. I actually did stop for a while using the Carr book - maybe I too need to re-read it .....

Hugs, Maggie x

Nigel , both books have English Authors !!

Maggie, they are similar for sure. I wish I'd read either 20 years ago ...

They both advocate abstinence. You can still use the ideas to drink more sanely, yes sanely, not insanely. That's a win too !

It's good after all this to occasionally drink because I want to, not because I HAVE to.

I bought the Allan Carr book about six months ago, but at that stage I didn't really want to hear what he was saying. I'm going to give it another try, I think I might be a bit more receptive now