26 year old female/ binge drinker/ been in and out of AA since around 17/ had two long term periods of sobriety/ always ended in relapse

Hey everyone. I just wanted to start one of these to share my experience and keep a log for myself.
So I started TSM on Wednesday, August 5th 2015. I took more nal that I should have for the initial dose (50 mg.) and I was really excited to drink and drank 2 and 1/2 bottles of wine. It was different though. I wasn't drinking out of compulsion. I got really sick that night and was sick for two days after that. I felt defeated. I came back on here and realized that I took too much for the initial dose and thank goodness I did because I was already to give up. I was so sick and I surely didn't want to ever feel that way again. Total abstinence seemed like a better option (bummer)

I didn't give up on TSM, talked with some other members and decided to try again on Saturday, August 8th. I took 12.5 mf of nal, I initially started with one glass of wine, and then stopped for a while. I drank 3 drinks after that and then stopped. Felt a buzz, but didn't want to continue drinking, finished a movie with my fiancé and went to bed. Felt good the next day. Went swimming in the back yard, was very productive. My fiancé then suggested on sunday august 10th, that it would be nice to have a couple of drinks by the pool. I agreed although it didn't seem like that much fun (weird feeling I have never had) and I took my 12.5 mg of nal again. I had my first drink about an hour and a half later. That was at 4 pm, continued to have 4 more throughout the night (very slowly though) I wasn't drunk, I enjoyed my buzz, drank water, went to bed sober.

So, I have taken Nal 3 times and am absolutely astonished with the results. I take my nal, I have my first drink, I then have the CHOICE as to whether or not have another. I do not feel like I need more and that is amazing. NEVER in my life have I felt this way. Never in my life have I been able to drink with out having any consequences (especially two days in a row)
I suspect I am going through the honeymoon period and I guess we will see. I am feeling more positive than I have in a really long time and truly believe that nal is going to work for me.
I will continue tracking and keeping my updates coming.
This is truly a miracle and hope someday soon I can put myself on that cured list.
It truly is surreal and I am very happy. Hope everyone has a great week.

xoxo,
carli

I was really happy to read of your initial progress Carli - yes it is an amazing surreal feeing initially isn't it ? And yes you are probably in the honeymoon period - enjoy it now ! However, even after that time and if your drinking goes back up, I do not think it will go back up to your pre Nal levels - and after that it is all downhill ! Great that you are having such positive results so soon -

Hugs, Maggie x

Carli,
I too am a binge drinker. Nal has helped me keep my numbers down. It's a great feeling isn't it?

I am going into my 4th week, and so far have taken only 12.5 mg. I am going to up the dose since I am not feeling as much of the blocking effect as I first did. Great job and keep posting to let us know how you are doing!

welcome Carli. you're off to a better start now. keep following the golden rule and hopefully your results will continue.

That belief is very important. Glad you've seen the hope, do keep on and definitely keep tracking!

Thank you, everyone. So happy to have all the support and look forward to keeping my updates coming. Any feedback at anytime is welcomed. Have a great day!

Good morning everyone (We at least it's the AM here) LOL

I just wanted to do a quick update. I just finished my first week and am still astonished with my results. I am drinking more often (because I am pre TSM a binge drinker) but I think it's the first time in my life I can actually handle my alcohol and maybe I'm just excited. It's silly really. Hopefully my levels will go down and AF days will go up, but I'm sure that's everyone's wish! That's why we are here!

My numbers, I believe are a little skewed because on the first day, I took 50 mg of nal and ended up drinking too much to get rid of the yucky feeling the nal gave me. It was a really bad experience and I was sick for 2 days. I drank 10 drinks, which is something I cannot imagine ever doing again on nal, but I guess we shall see. I am now taking 12.5 mg of nal and haven't been able to drink anymore than six, which is still a lot, but I have an off button (a behavior I have never observed before in myself)

So I finished my week with 28 drinks total and 2 AF days.
I am happy with the results.
I was able to span those drinks out to 7 days, function during those 7 days, and not black out on those seven days. Those are 3 things I have NEVER been able to do, and for that, I'm grateful.

Thank you all for reading and I will have more updates soon.
XOXO

Carli

sounds like a great start Carli - keep up the good work

-badger

Thank you, Badger!!

Carli

Hi everyone. I decided I was going to do my weekly updates on Wednesdays, because I do my drink count from Tuesday to Tuesday, but feeling like I need to have some accountability with myself and share some progress with the group.
I probably just expect a little more out of myself(this is so common throughout every single aspect of my life) and I probably just need to relax and let the nal work. I am just feeling a little discouraged. I am only about two weeks in though.
So far my week looks like this
Wednesday- 5 and a half drinks
Thursday- AF day
Friday- 10
sat- 15
sun- AF day

I'm at 30.5 drinks so far for the week. my week count ends on Tuesday night.

I realize my drink count is already above last week and its not quite over yet.

I just need to keep going, but any words of encouragement are welcome

I can't decide if I want another AF day today or not, but I will definitely track either way.