Good for you BrittanyLous. I can relate a lot to what you are saying. I'm basically an introvert too but I live a pretty social life for whatever reason (kids, job, very social spouse) and it is going to take me a long time, i think, to learn how to socialize without alcohol as a crutch. But I am going to do it. You can too. And we can both choose also to honor who we really are and give ourselves that 'introvert" time we need. I am in my pjs right now (its Sunday at noon), reading the paper and taking some ME time while hubby deals with the kids. It feels fantastic.

Hugs, Newlife

I was pretty good last week. I had only one or two drinks each day until Sunday... and I only got drunk one day (this past Sunday)... slept dreadfully... woke halfway through the night and started to drink again in order to go back to sleep... was still drunk upon starting work (I work from home, so fortunately/unfortunately my drinking habits go unnoticed), and then felt so incredibly, miserably awful ALL day on Monday as a result. I fought off the temptation to drink again on Monday during the day to "fix" the hangover but I knew that the longer I kept drinking, the more I would prolong my misery.

Didn't have more than one or two drinks any other day the rest of the week this week. Even the two I had last night made me sleep fitfully and woke feeling "gritty" and unrested.

i have cut my drinking probably by half over the last three weeks since I started Nal (tomorrow will be three weeks exactly). I've already spoken to my doc and he is happy and agreed to refill for 3 more months.

I feel sad sometimes that alcohol isn't "fun" the way it used to be, or that I can't look forward to those three day benders that my weekends used to be... that would then turn into all-week benders...

Alcohol used to be the delicious, delightful hot fudge sundae of my weekend... I was lit up outside and inside when I was drunk, which was always. I used to accept invitations to social engagements that I didn't want to go to at ALL just because I knew there would be a reason to drink. And then I realized I didn't need a reason to drink, and started drinking at home. Alone. At night, at lunch, whenever. And then it wasn't quite the happy thing it used to be. I ruined it for myself.

Now drinking feels like this deep trench of bad decisions and sleepless nights and risky behavior that I have to dig my way out of. I became the reason that my parents always warned me not to drink (they don't drink at all).

It's a new day, I guess. I have a chance to fix this. I am fixing it. I still don't really know exactly what I am or what I want without alcohol to fill all the gaps.. but I'm going to find out!

Happy Almost Weekend all.. hope everyone is doing great

brittanylouis - WOW can I relate to EVERYTHING you had to say. Alcohol used to be such a wonderful thing, and I feel the way you do, I ruined it for myself. I too am still sad about that.

UKBlonde said that the challenge is learning how to live. Learning how to live all over again. That seems like a lot to take on at my age, but like you I AM GOING TO DO THIS!!

Good for you for what sounds like overall a very good week. I know what you mean about the awful feeling of being hungover. I am feeling that way this very minute and I absolutely hate it.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and thanks for posting this. You have no idea how much it helps me to just feel that there are others out there who feel the way I do.

Nal on!! Hugs from Newlife

Brittany and newlife - I so agree about AL not being as fun as it used to be ! I can understand why people stop taking the Nal - I will NOT do that - but I do understand - and I so agree with UKB that the challenge is learning how to live without it. Right now I feel really sad about AL not 'working' for me any more but on the other hand am so happy that I know I am on my way to being rid of it ruling my life.

I think my Nal-overs actually start in the evening - I usually stop drinking by 4 or 5 in the afternoon and do not feel great from then on. Yesterday I did not pour my 'next' drink because I just didn't already feel great and knew that another one would make me feel a lot worse ! Nal does work - and I am in this for the long haul! We can do this - great that you are feeling this way Brittany - and you too newlife !!

Hugs, Maggie xx

I had a pretty good week and weekend. I drank very lightly all days until Sunday. & I did not drive drunk at all. that in itself is a tremendous success, because I used to be horrible about that. on both Friday and Saturday nights, I had social plans with friends, and both nights, after 2 drinks, I was done. Not just done drinking, but done hanging out all together. Both nights I was home and in bed by 11 p.m. Which of course used to be unheard of for me.


I'm not sure quite how to feel about that part of it. It's all part of figuring out what I really like and what I really want to do without the crutch of being drunk all the time. I felt kind of bad for leaving my friends, they stayed out till 130 or later, both nights. But I was just not feeling it at all. I was fine to sit and chat and catch up, but didn't want to stay out late and party.

I have hinted around to a few friends that I am trying to cut back on drinking, and that that is part of the reason that I have been less social. people do seem to be more receptive to me just casually saying that I am trying to cut back a bit then they were to me saying that I was an alcoholic and that I was in serious trouble... it's so weird. When I was being honest and pouring my heart out and actually looking for support, people acted like I was crazy and that it was no big deal. They didn't believe me. They are arguing with me less now that I can still sit and have a drink, and then just knock it off after a couple. I guess that's the beauty of the Sinclair method.

anyway, has anybody else found themselves being a little argumentative, irritable, short-tempered on this pill? I have noticed that there are a lot of little things that seem to irritate me that seem kind of new. Things I don't remember bugging me before. there are some people I hang out with that are getting on my nerves big time. Lol. I'm thinking it has to be some side effect of the pill.

so, Friday and Saturday nights were good. sunday went a little wrong, but not too bad. Basically I hung out with friends again, had 2 drinks, and was done. but as I was driving home, I started craving. Sunday night is the absolute worst night of all the nights for me to drink, because it makes Monday so miserable and Mondays are already miserable. but I was craving all the way home from the bar. As soon as I got home, I took three or four shots over about an hour and a half,. it was the weirdest thing. I wasn't even really on a full stomach, but I just felt like I couldn't get tipsy. Or couldn't get more tipsy. finally fell asleep. Around one. And slept terrible from the drinking. Today was incredibly unproductive and not a good day because of that. but tonight I will be back on track, and only have one drink.

I need to work on my Sundays. So far sundays are my hardest day to not get drunk. But overall the weekend was not bad, and the pill is definitely helping me. Maggie and new life, thanks for taking the time to comment and share your experiences! It is good to hear from other people and know that I'm not alone with all this crazy stuff.

still have not managed in alcohol free day. But I am averaging about 4 nights a week with only one drink now! just a month ago, that would have been basically unheard of.

and last night was its own victory. I went out for happy hour with friends. Normally everyone else in that group has one drink, typically a beer. and I will have two or three drinks of hard liquor, and then drink more when I get home. For the first time since starting the pill, I went out with a group and didn't drink! I had a burger and talked for an hour and a half! And went home!

I had one drink when I went home. But it is a huge victory to me to be in a social situation without feeling obligated to drink!

Brittany, that is an incredible victory!! Good for you!! And I myself just finished 2 AF days this week!! Nal on!! Newlife

Brittany - that is awesome ! I am so happy for you - it sounds as if Nal is really kicking in for you -

Hugs, Maggie x

This is truly the value of this forum. Friends and family sometimes have no idea of the magnitude of your victory. I read your post and it makes me want to happy-cry. I feel very proud of you and everyone here working on reclaiming their lives. A lot of us are doing it alone and that's tough. I prefer it that way but,man it's good to have this place to vent and hope and share and maybe help. In a way it is good we are incognito, but if we ever decide to have an inmate reunion, I'm in. Maybe.
Steve

Hi Steve - where are you ? You can PM me to let me know ..... I have not seen your posts before - I need to check them out. How long have you been on Nal and how are you doing ?

hugs, Maggie x