Hi all. I decided to start posting my progress.

I am starting this thread from Week 6. Here is my previous:

Week1: 70 | 0 AF
Week2: 60 | 2 AF
Week3: 56 | 2 AF
Week4: 60 | 1 AF
Week5: 55 | 1 AF | Goal: <50


These last few weeks were difficult in that my 1 month check up with my doctor was a bit discouraging. After writing about it here, it looks like this is a typical response from the Medical community. I'm expecting that I'll have to buy Nal on my own after this month.

My S.O. also decided to give me another guilt trip that I'm "Just not trying hard enough." When I talk to my friends about my progress, they actually were sad to hear that I wont drink so much with them in the future. So be it.. :/


At least overall the Numbers look great. I've gone from daily use of around 80 Drinks a week to 55 now. My liver is doing a lot better as well:


And based on some responses from you guys it looks like I'm doing fine and should keep at it.

This week I'm trying for under 50 again. I also Joined the gym to start lifting and lose some fat.

The weird thing is that the Nal pills I had last month and this month are differnt. I'm wondering if they've given me a different version. I'll need to research this and start buying my own soon anyways.

Thanks for everyone's Feedback and Encouragement. See you next Monday.
-GuyJeb

Just wanted to post a follow up. Last night I began my regular routine, but truely waited exactly at least 1 hour before drinking. As a result, instead of drinking my normal 10-13 shots, I drank 6 units, then poured another 3 units (My drinks are 3 shots rum, diet coke, ice). After sipping my 3rd drink and dinner being ready, I just couldn't continue it and lost interest.

So I had only 7 last night and poured out the rest. I was pretty amazed with this. I believe Now I need to Strictly adhere to the 1 hour rule. I found a blog of Unchained mouse who had a info graphic that showed how I was not following TSM correctly. There was even a recommendation to crush the pill into a powder to speed up the process of Nal before drinking.

This is not a bad solution for me because as soon as I get off work (5:00pm) I wanna drink when I get home. I think I should have some Nal at work since I plan this crap before I even leave the office.

Oy. Anyways, just wanted to share.
Thanks
-GuyJeb

Guyjeb - Yes I think it is critical to always have the nal with you. I know I have had days where I didn't plan to drink but then changed my mind quite suddenly as the day wore on. And for example yesterday I hadn't planned to drink, but then got a phone call from an old friend who was unexpectedly in town asking me to meet her for a glass of wine. No time to go home first, so I am so glad I had my nal with me because I knew if I went I was going to have wine!! If you are drinking daily when you get home from work for example, take the pill before you leave the office. That is what I do. Being a woman, I always have my purse with me so that is where I keep the nal. But some posters have described little pill boxes that they keep on their keychains or even necklaces that can hold the nal. Whatever works.......it does appear that it is CRUCIAL to follow the protocol exactly for this to work. I have been tempted to drink before the hour but then I thought, why bother doing this AT ALL if I am not going to do it the way it is supposed to be done?

Good luck to you and keep updating us on your progress.

xoxo Newlife

+1. I keep a little in my car, my bike bag, and my motorcycle bag. there have been times I would've caved in to not taking it because something came up. not worth it!

Read the link in my signature. It gives the background on the one hour rule.

Edit: btw, it sounds like you have potential to be a fast responder if you follow the rule. Good luck.

Zontar, I now keep some at work and take it before I leave. I've now become more anal about watching the clock before my first drink.. Thank you.



SideEffect2 - thanks for the link. That is a long read, but i'm getting through it. pretty interesting.

Yesterday I got into a small bumper to bumper car accident. The guy i hit only got a small scratch, but my car got pretty bad front grill smashed in. I ended up dealing with it by having a night alone with alcohol again. Made me a little upset.

I have noticed that Nal was not working it's wonders like it did early on, so last night i had 75mg instead of 50mg. I chose to do this after reading the first few pages of "The Cure." I have to say that I really felt the effects this time. I was planning on only having 9 but kept wanting more because I "wasn't feeling it." Funny thing is, that's what Nal does. As a result, Today I feel less inclined to drink to night. I can see how rigorous adherence to TSM does work in the long run. I am considering taking 75mg from now on, but sadly my Doctor probably wont like it if I tell him.

Speaking of which, My next doc visit is in 3 Weeks. as I mentioned earlier, He wants me to have a Face to Face therapy session before he is willing to continue to prescribe me Naltrexone. I'm down to about 25 pills. So I'm considering 1 of 2 options. 1: visiting my Local AA (or actually considering going to the Rich side of Town to see the Rich Alcoholics) and checking it out. I always thought I'd never go because I didn't want to be that grandpa who turns 70 and says "I've been an alcoholic for 50+ years!" but hasn't drank in 40 Years. My aunt does/says this to me often because that's how she got recovered as there was no other choices back then.

Anyways, Option 1 is AA, Option 2:.... I'm Considering reaching out to some the the TSM Cured/graduate/or even Current TSM people here at http://www.thesinclairmethod.net and asking if anyone is willing to meet online with me 1 on 1 on a weekly basis. It would be just a 30 minute session to discuss progress, stumbling blocks, etc. But I thought, If I can convince my doc that I'm at least talking to someone in my online Support group (which I told him about, but he thinks isn't enough) and show him that my numbers are dropping, then he may continue my prescription. Otherwise I'll just have to buy it myself. Who knows, Option 3 may be to do both Option 1 and 2...

This also got me thinking that maybe if other people are having the same issue I'm having or just want to meet up online outside of a forum, we could have some kind of TSM monthly online Webinar. Not sure how this would work as we would need some kind of Content or guest speakers to talk about their past experiences or something. But I wouldn't mind it, since the online community of TSM or Nal is so so Scarce outside of this forum(like how TSM and Nal sub-Reddits are dead). What do you guys think about this? if this isn't a bad Idea, Maybe we can start something online.


Anyways, Tonight is family dinner night, and tomorrow is another dinner at someones house, so I will probably for sure meet my <50 Drinks goal.

Thanks all for the Feedback
-GuyJeb


Sorry for such a long post.

alldaychemist.com

I dont know what a nal support group would look like. I barely know anyone on here anymore, all new faces and the old ttimers drop.off. Hell, I rarely remember to stop by here much anymore either.

I'd be happy to reply to any PMs you wish to send.

The best way is to keep your posts as public as possible, that way you get the input from all members and also provide information which may help others.

I agree with UKB, replies are not immediate and the forum in not jammed, but they are a few of us here who are active as well as some "oldtimers" like UKB who stick around to help us. For me the support is invaluable. Newlife

Welp - last week was a bust. I tried to get under 50 but didn't make it.

I'm learning that I'm putting too much of my time into too many things, which has resulted in arguments with my S.O. Being Married, Father, Employed are roles that must happen. Playing Video games, Drinking alcohol, and trying to go to the Gym 3 times a week are all secondary. Having TSM has made me much more aware of my priorities and direction now.

This week I'm already half way through. I'm double realizing that my Doc visit is in 2 weeks and i'm down to about 17 pills. I'm considering purchasing some on my own in case he decides to cut me off. My wife doesn't like that as she's extremely frugal.. . This has caused me to want to just lie to the guy and tell him I'm drinking far less and have been attending AA. Because Thats exactly what he wants to hear..

Well I am considering visiting a local AA just so I can tell him something at least.


I'm also only on page 7 of "The Cure" book, so continuing to read this will help me have more info for him.

Thanks again to everyone's responses. Sorry I have not been to vocal on anyone else's posts. I'll try to be more active.

This Saturday will be an AF day. I'm considering making Thursday AF as well if I can manage the cravings.