I guess I can start a post here, as I am absolutely committed to working this program, and I am about 1.5 weeks in. After 1 day on a full dose and side effects, I dropped back to 1/2 for 5 days or so, and today is my second full dose. Small side effects, a bit of stomach upset, nothing major, some feelings of alertness (note the time) but it could just as easily be premenopausal stuff or just anxiety about making change.

One thing I swear I notice is that I do not feel the aftereffects of booze like I normally do. So far, my drinking is on par, but I don't feel as bad in the a.m. Go figure.

At any rate, I've been finding the posts about what actions I should take (if I really don't feel like drinking, don't, for example) along with the golden rule, really helpful. Been thinking about bigger life changes, which I am keen to move forward on, but I know the biggest stumbling block is my drinking. So I'm making that the priority in the sense that I am focused on taking Nal and seeing where it takes me. So far, no change in my cravings, but it's early days. What is strange, is that this drug is giving me the chance to say goodbye. I know that would seem strange to many for whom booze has wreaked havoc, but that has not been my situation. Booze, to me, is a comfort and a friend. The problem is that the price of that friendship is much, much too high.

I feel that I am on the cusp of making big changes in my life, and taking Nal is a big part of that. But what's hard is that I am alone in this--I have one or two people I can talk with about it. So I appreciate this forum very much.

It feels, really, really good to be doing this.

Welcome BlouBird!

I am so pleased for you that you are taking this step before drinking has become a truly negative thing. I don't think it is ever totally easy to say goodbye to alcohol. No matter how far you have to fall to make that choice, there is always something about alcohol that is still giving you something emotionally, even when you are a full blown addict and your life has gone to crap.

I saw two therapists when I got sober 2 years ago (cold turkey) and have gone back to one of them now that I'm doing TSM after I fell off the wagon 6 months ago. It helps me identify where I am receiving the most from alcohol, emotionally, and find alternative strategies around those places. It is also good for support as I have struggled with my feelings of self worth as I have had to delve back into the drinking to find the cure (not that I could have quit if I wanted to, but it was a shock to my system after 18 months sober). I will say, however, that now that the physical addiction is just a whisper of what it was, I am really clear about how much of this fondness and need I felt for the alcohol is only physical addiction....like a hijacking of my brain (for lack of a better explanation)... and although yes, I do need to find different coping skills and patterns for some things, it is not nearly as extensive a problem as I thought. Without the physical addiction, the rest is very, very manageable.

I hope you keep coming back and know that you are both understood and supported here. You really aren't alone and even if you and even if you had more people to speak to in your 'real life', it wouldn't be the same as speaking to others who had been through it. You are in the right place.



Jephiner

"A chance to say good bye"

Brilliantly stated and very insightful! Also ties in with my post about the book: Drinking: A Love Story.
(http://www.amazon.com/Drinking-Love-Sto ... 0385315546)

I remember after a few months when I began to realize that NAL was going to work, that it was actually a very good thing that it took 4 or 5 months to do so. Letting go of the love of your life, ending a raging, torrid affair, calls for a lot of adjustment in our lives, and the months long process gives us a chance to recognize this and adjust slowly over time.

And, at leat in my case BLouBird, all the other problems were pretty simple to address once I addressed the big one. Good luck!

Oh my God yes, I feel the same way. I have looked upon drinking as a comfort, a friend, the source of fun and pleasure too!! I had not thought of this method as a "chance to say goodbye" but it makes so much sense.

It's early days for you BLouBird, but we are here for you.

Nal on!! Newlife

Thanks all! I enjoy and appreciate the wisdom and kindness in your posts. It feels great to be committed to this, although I am definitely dealing with the side effects! Zowie. I took 1/2 a pill for about a week, and a full pill for about 6 days, but I think I need to go back to 1/2 for awhile and ease my way up to 50g. The main issue is sleep problems with minor stomach upset and a buzzy feeling.

What's strange is that I've been having occasional bouts of insomnia for about 3 or so years, which I've attributed to premenopausal hormones. But the symptoms I'm having on Nal are identical, only much more intense. When I start to fall asleep, I startle awake in a mini panic. It happens over and over and over. Last night I was up until 2:15, when I expect the drug had worked through my system enough to allow me to sleep. I have dealt with anxiety in my past and definitely used booze to help me sleep, but this was worse than anything I've experienced. So back to 1/2 a dose, and we'll see if it gets better. I also plan to set my calendar to take Nal at 6 pm on nights I plan to drink (right now, every night) so hopefully it wears off a bit earlier after I go to bed. I was greatly reassured by reading that those are classic Nal side effects. I was worried that it might be my new normal without booze, since last night I didn't have as much!

In terms of my drinking, it's been hard to tell. Sometimes I feel like it alters the taste, sometimes I drink more (and was getting a hand tremor, although I also think that was the Nal, because it makes me feel keyed up), but I do think it's easier to realize I'm done for the night and stop. That is new--I can stop and it doesn't nag at me from in the kitchen while I finish watching an episode of Blue Bloods before going to bed. I cannot tell you how good it feels to be doing something about this! I almost welcome the side effects--something like this shouldn't be too easy! I think I would find that a bit eerie.

As for logging my units, I just have not done that yet. I'm a bit afraid to notice how much I had been drinking, and nervous about paying too close attention to something I know I need to just let happen. But I can put some info up there for "posterity." I think it is encouraging to see people's progress, so I should also contribute.

Thanks again, and have a great week.

This happened to me for years. It was awful. Guess what? -It completely went away once I stopped drinking. Presumably it was entirely from drinking too much...

Checking in as it's been awhile. Still SLOWLY ramping up my Nal dose, as it seemed to bother me a lot. But I also had a lot going on last month (beloved father in-law passed), so who knows.

I'm almost up to .25 a day, and while there have been occasional days when I don't feel like drinking more than 3-4 drinks, by and large, I actually feel like I can drink a lot more and not feel the effects nearly as much.

Nal so far has been a strange journey for me, but on I go.

Checking in as it's been awhile since I posted. I don't expect that anyone noticed as I have not been on this site for long, but I want to document my experience for others who may be trying this.

I started early with really rough side effects. Sleep problems, nervous twitch when trying to fall asleep, and stomach issues.

My advice: if you notice right away that you have bothersome side effects, do 2 things:

1) Hang in there
2) Start with .25 a dose, and work up by .25 from there. Get used to .25, then add in another .25 every other day. Ease up slowly upping the dose every other day as you get used to it. I have gotten used to taking NAL that way. I am up to .75 every other day, and will get to a full dose soon. At this point, side effects are minimal.
3) Side effects can be a pain, but do bet better--or they did for me. No more hand tremors, sleep seems fine, only slight lingering stomach upset, but I can deal with it.

In terms of how NAL has been affecting me: I don't feel drunk when I drink, but I also drink slightly less (never mid day during weekends, 1-2 drinks less a day). There's no question the urgency is gone on NAL. I LOVE that.

I noticed this the first time when I went to see a concert with an old, dear friend. In the excitement of getting to see a long-anticipated concert, I totally forgot to take my NAL (I have a reminder on my phone, but didn't hear it.) I had a 1/2 glass of wine and noticed IMMEDIATELY. I felt the euphoria and the high like I hadn't in weeks. It was, frankly, freaky.

It happened again a few weeks later. And I could tell again. Thankfully, I was able to take NAL right away and it helped.

Tonight was the 3rd time since I started and this time I did not notice until I saw my phone notification long after it went off--and immediately took the NAL. I can tell that my drinking--and eating--pattern tonight is what it used to be (it was too late). I DO NOT WANT TO GO BACK TO THIS. I don't like the fever feeling of wanting that next drink, and next ....

So, my question is, how to make SURE you take NAL every night? I've set a notification on my phone, but I don't always hear it. Also, I'm actually feeling more positive about my drinking, so I am a bit less vigilant. I've missed 3 times since I started, and I do not want to miss--I MUCH prefer being on NAL. I REALLY want to be free of this monkey on my back. I am amazed at how much it helps me not overdo it when I take it. And I really want to get to where it is much less interesting to me so I can have AL-free days--many AL=free days. MOST AL-free days.

So any tips for how to remember every day--especially those days when you've got work or family stuff pulling at your attention-- I'd love to hear it. I actually DO remember on weekends when I'm more relaxed and set my own schedule. I have not been drinking mid-day on weekends because I don't want to waste a NAL dose until the evening (when we usually are in a social setting), and that has been great. I definitely delay drinking an hour after taking--even when at a party--and I love that feeling of control.

I am amazed at how much of a difference NAL makes in my reaction to alcohol. THAT, in itself, is incredibly, well, sobering. There is little question in my mind that AL affects some people much more differently than others.

Thanks for listening and sharing your stories.

Good to see you Blou - I am sorry to hear that you drank 3 times without the Nal - please try and not to forget it - I am not sure how to tell you to remember to take it - if I even THINK I might be NEAR AL, I take it !! The more that you drink without it the more you are reinforcing the brain thinking that it might eventually get that high - so you are slowing your own progress by not taking the Nal. I forgot the other day that I was going out to lunch with hubs (shame on me) and rushed to the restaurant taking my Nal on the way - but ended up not drinking because I had only taken the Nal just before I got there - ended up having an AF day that day!

Hang in there,

Hugs, Maggie x

Blou, it all sounds very very good for you, glad to hear from you. Yes we do miss you when you don't post and wonder how you are doing.

Gosh I am not sure what to say about how to remember. I don't forget because when I start wanting the drink I just take the nal at that point and then wait so it hasn't been a problem. I think the longer you do it the more it will become automatic.

Nal on!! Hugs from Newlife