Well brittany, I'm sure most people go through ups and downs while going through the TSM experience. I did not see you mention whether or not you took Nal during your weekend "setback." Did you fall off the TSM wagon or did you just happen to get drunk while on Nal?

I have been drunk a couple of times the past few weeks, but I have always taken the Nal first. I have found that my cravings are down quite a bit. I'm still struggling with moderation, but I'm hoping that will come with time. As I've heard many times, this is a marathon, not a sprint.

I wouldn't let one weekend ruin you. Your early on like me. Hang in there and stick with it. After all:



This is how I feel too. I do think we have to TRY to practice moderation. It won't work every time because of our poor habits. They won't be easy to break. I have found that the Naltrexone is helping this more often (with moderation) than before TSM.

Welcome Louis and McDad. I am in my 7th week on nal. I am a daily drinker who finds it very difficult to go a day without alcohol. Although my drinking levels may seem low, they increase every passing year and I was experiencing hangovers/blackouts with disturbing frequency. So I had to do something.

Like you Louis, I am someone whom everyone thinks of as loving to drink, but few would know that I have a problem. That is really sort of a lonely place to be.

If there is one thing I have learned pretty clearly during the time I have been doing this, it is that this is definitely a marathon, not a sprint. From reading the posts on here, both the current and past ones, you can see that everyone's experience is a little bit different, and there are definitely ups and downs. But I am putting a lot of faith in the fact that this will work for me.

I also hope that it works for all of you. Posting really helps all of us, having a community and support from people who understand.

Hugs from Newlife an nal on!!

Thanks for the input newlife. It is good to have a place to post and ask questions. It really does help to understand how everyone's situation is a little different. Yet I have also noticed with many of the stories that I can relate to a lot of other people's issues and habits. Makes me feel a little more like I'm not alone. I've been through AA - I guess that is similar. I was almost thinking how cool it would be to have a TSM group in the area where I could meet people in person and talk about our stories...? Unlike AA, we could all take our Nal and meet at a bar?

No but seriously... wouldn't that be cool to meet with other TSM people? Anyone ever done that?

Hi there - Brittany - no worries about your weekend - you are very early days yet - I love the analogy of this being a marathon and not a sprint! My intake has gone down to pre Nal - but is still way higher than I would like. I am just going to assume that it will happen - no matter how long it takes - I am in this for the long haul - I think people give up because it isn't a magic quick fix - I do know that ones attitude changes over time re the AL - I think that yours will, just give it time. And let the guilt whatever about the weekend go - it doesn't help at all!! Have faith that this will work ...... (((hugs)))

Mcdad - BrittanyLouis and I have found that we only live an hour approx. from each other ! But yes it would be cool to meet others - I am on the MWO site and have met about four or five of the folk on there ! PM me where you are - or I can PM you - I would love to have a TSM meet group - I never did AA as it really wasn't my cup of tea - but TSM is so different ! Laughed at the idea of meeting at a bar - where else would we meet ? LOL

Hugs, Maggie x

I'm in too if anyone lives in FL. Newlife

I am in the Midwest Newlife - way way from you and McDad both ! America is just SO big - one does not realise how big until one lives here !!!

Hugs, Maggie x

Thanks for the support, newLife, Maggie, Jackson, mcdad, and anyone else I missed! I Am happy to say that I DID take my nal both times I got drunk, so even though I felt disappointed, I at least was not hijacking my progress.

My last week or week and a half on the pill has been weird. I have had tons of food cravings, & I wonder if I am trying to subconsciously substitute food for the alcohol high that I'm now not getting because of the nal. I actually think I've gained some weight, which is a little distressing, because I used to be overweight, & I have kept it off for years.

but so far, since last weekend, my drinking has been back down to low levels of one or two drinks a night.

still haven't managed that elusive alcohol free day. I always think that I can do it, and then when it gets close to bedtime, I start getting sleep anxiety.

now that I'm
cutting back a bit, I'm noticing how many of my life decisions and life habits were hinging on drinking.

it seems like, over time, alcohol had become the boss, not just of how much I drink, but of my eating habits, my sleeping habits, my social life... now I feel like I am in a place where I will have to start re learning how to make decisions without alcohol being in charge.

Do I really want to eat? Or am I just looking for a sugar high to replace the alcohol? Am I really tired? Or am I just taking a couple of shots to trigger bedtime out of habit. Am I really in a social mood? Or am I just looking for an excuse to go to the bar? do I even really want a drink? Or am I just trying to take the edge off my boredom?

my alcohol misuse has caused me to feel manipulated and emotionally abused. I am going to have to relearn who "me" is and what I really want

Yes many alcoholics do report a love hate relationship with sugar when they quit.

My advice would be focus on the alcohol, you can sort the sugar out later. If you really are worried then I advise trying to eat more protein and complex carbohydrates, to fill you up. So things like plain chicken, potatoes, rice and oats.

Alcoholism mucks up all sorts of things and it can take a while to sort it all out, it's all part of the journey.

I had a giant gyro and two chocolate bars for supper... not exactly the simple foods that you recommended, UKblonde, but at least it wasn't McDonald's! I then had two glasses of wine. it's a Saturday night, & I am staying in. I find that I do a better job staying semi sober if I stay in.

I wonder if I am sort of an introvert, that has been living the extrovert lifestyle only with the aid of alcohol. When drinking heavily, I could be out at the bars drinking no fewer than four or five nights a week. I called it a social life. I thought it was the social part of it that was desirable to me.

now I'm kind of second guessing that whole thing. The nightclub / party life seems pretty pointless now that I don't intend to drink much. And so it makes me call into question why I ever went there at all. Maybe all I ever really wanted, was good conversation. & I wasn't getting it, so I would just get drunk at the nightclub instead, and call that a social life.

I am enjoying my two glasses of wine. I have this feeling that this is what it must be like to drink like a non addict.
I will say, that it was a rare day for me before nal, to open a bottle of wine and not finish it. Especially on the weekend. I would have this idea that I was just going to have one glass of wine, and then before I knew it I would be draining the bottle, and then having this panic if there wasn't anything else to drink in the house.

But right now, I feel warm, relaxed, with a faint buzz. there is more to drink in the house, and it is at my fingertips, but I don't care for it. I feel like one more drink would ruin this nice equilibrium.who was it, Coco Chanel? Who said, before you leave the house, take off one piece of jewelry? Meaning that you shouldn't overdo a good thing. and that's the way I feel about my current buzz. the fact that I feel like that right now about drinking is pretty heady. I feel like I'm relating to alcohol like a normal person, at least in this small instance. It's a great Saturday night. Hope you all are doing well

BrittanyLouis - that sounds so good - you sound as if you are really thinking things through and it all sounds as if it is falling into place - I am really pleased for you. I also was interested about the reasons that you went out and the way you thought that through too - well done ! Have a great Sunday,

Hugs, Maggie x