Hello everybody. I'm not sure how to start, so I'll just go from the top of my head.

I've been drinking heavy for a long time, with several attempts at abstinence. For a variety of reasons, I can't get behind the AA method (especially after reading the "Irrationality of Alcoholics Anonymous" article in the Atlantic, which is where I found out about Naltrexone, the Contral Clinics, and the Sinclair Method).

Anyhow, I ordered and received "The Cure for Alcoholism" today, and I just started reading it. I'm not far in enough to have any substantial knowledge, but I do feel encouraged by some of the stories I've read on these boards, and I'm really excited to get started. There is something a lot more hopeful in this method, to me, then just "white knuckling" it and being told I'm a worthless, pathetic alcoholic that needs a faith-based program (sorry if that sounds snippy, I'm not anti-religious at all --actually a man of faith-- but I find the denigration to alcoholics in the typical AA program to be bizarre).

I have a tendency to ramble, so I hope I haven't lost anyone who is reading this. Anyhow, I'm going to keep reading the book now. As soon as I receive the Naltrexone in the mail, I'm going to begin the one-hour-before-drinking method. Is there anything else I need to know? I want to keep reading to make sure I'm doing everything right, but I've gathered that I should be keeping a "unit"/drink log.

Like I said, I'm really hopeful about Sinclair. I have a baby on the way, law school next year, and a family that loves me, so I have every reason to do my damnedest to make this work! Just reading about the successes, and learning about the stories of other people who struggle has given me cause to take heart that a solution may not be so far away. I can't even tell you how happy I was to learn about all this.

Alexander

P.S. If anyone knows about any TSM doctors in NY, please let me know.

Welcome newfromnewyork. I am new to this too, just finished my third week but am extremely hopeful. I can see that this journey will take awhile and is more complex than I had initially thought. However, I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said about AA and the shaming of alcoholics, especially in the US. It is really a national tragedy.

Please keep posting as you get started. Oh, and it is best to start with 1/2 pill. I took 1/2 pill for 2 days and then went up to the whole pill on the third day. Many of the people who post here reported nausea as a side effect. For most it apparently goes away rather quickly though. I did not experience any nausea. Did feel a little "weird" the first couple of days, like I didn't want the alcohol at all, and was hopeful that I would be a "fast responder", but alas that was not to be. I still want it. But I have a lot of hope that this will work for me. I very much hope that it works for you too.

Newlife

Hi newfromnewyork

My first question is are you giving birth, or is it your partner having the baby?

Things you need to know in addition the stuff already posted.

The timescale in the book is not accurate, whilst some people do respond quickly, most find it takes 6-12 months to achieve success, however many do find some improvement much sooner.

Always take the pill before drinking.

Be mindful and patient.

My qualifications are mostly in my signature, I've been around a while and recently have been encouraged and heartened by other members to post more frequently.

Was raving binge drinker in all terms of the word, now a long term abstainer.

Yes, TSM has that side effect.

Welcome newfromNY - I think the others that have posted before me have covered it pretty much - I just wanted to welcome you to the group! I do find it good to keep a unit log - it gives you a visual of how you are doing !! Badger here sent me a link to a graph so I also have a graph that I can see going down (and up last week ... oh dear!). I wish you all the best with this .... make sure you read the book - that was really good for me as it explained all the why's and wherefores to me !!

Hugs, Maggie x

I'm guessing it's Alexander's partner UKB

Alcoholism is a problem that affects people of different ages and social backgrounds. There are some famous alcoholics out there who have just ruined their selves because of all this stuff and still people don’t learn anything from them.

Welcome to the group... I really hope you find success! I'm new to Nal (about six weeks, give or take) and am having modest but marked success already. I still drink every day, but much less. And I have more self-control about cravings or urges, for the most part. I have been sticking to the routine, and the less I drink, the better I feel and the more I feel hopeful. I had a really giddy first couple of weeks, as others have experienced, and I thought the pill would constitute some sort of magic, but then reality resurfaced and I found out I still very much had the capacity to binge-drink..

But thankfully these episodes have been less frequent than in the past. I have found this forum to be useful and supportive. You can check out my progress (although it's getting pretty lengthy) in the thread titled "Two Days In"