30 units this week... That's 2 less than last. Not an exciting number, and I'm getting pretty far into this...
However, I went to a close relative's funeral today, and my sister in law ran off to the bar at the lunch afterward. She came back with a drink for me. I didn't know what to do- I hadn't taken any Nal, but I didn't feel I could decline it. She and I had just been joking about needing a drink, so I couldn't very we'll say I wasn't in the mood! Plus, she knows me, so that would have seemed odd
I really didn't want it at all (positive sign!), but I took one sip as we toasted. After that I thought, "I don't want to derail my progress, but possibly more importantly, I don't WANT this."
I switched it out with my husband's sparkling water and my sister was none the wiser. I have to say, it was an interesting situation: emotionally draining day, several "trigger people" present, everyone around me having a beer or glass of wine... But I had zero urge to drink.

Good for you, Gdmcf.............not an easy thing to do, BIG triggers but so glad that you stuck to the GR!! That is huge progress, surely!!

Nal on!! Newlife

Wow I have been terrible about keeping up on my posts...
But I am still plugging away, sticking with the program. This week I've finally seen some improvement, but for the last many weeks, I've been stagnant. As I've mentioned before, I'm so busy all the time, so it's hard to muster the energy to stay active here. I need to, though, because I'm completely isolated in this otherwise (my husband knows and is supportive, but he doesn't really get it)!
I've been concerned that maybe I have an absorption problem. I was seeing my endocrinologist a few weeks ago, and she mentioned that people with autoimmune- specifically thyroid- disorders are prone to malabsorption, and that may be why my chronic health problems have barely improved since starting treatment over a year ago. My endo doesn't know about the Nal, so I didn't ask about it specifically.
I've been feeling apathetic and complacent because I'm just.so.tired. So I've been considering upping my dose...
Then this week, I decided I was going to do 3 AF days in a row. Last night was day 3! This morning I WOKE UP for the first time in a long time. Like really woke up. I've been consistently doing 2 AF days each week, but find I still feel like crap both mornings after not drinking. So I was feeling like- well if I feel like crap anyway, what am I working for? Apparently 3 days is the magic number. I only got about 4 hours of sleep (kids), but I woke up feeling alive and ready for the day. I got a bunch of work and housework done, and actually got to enjoy the kiddos.
THIS is something to work for. Maybe now that I've done it, I'll be able to keep it up and go even longer.
So for now I guess I'll hold off on upping my dose. I still may, but obviously I'd rather not, if i don't have to.
It's only Wednesday, so I'm going to go for at least one more AF day this week. Fingers crossed!

Well I drank last night, which I planned on doing. I had a really nice bottle of wine that was going to spoil if it wasn't finished, and that just doesn't seem right And I felt really crappy this morning.
I'm AF tonight again. I really just didn't feel like drinking, and I want to wake up feeling good again! So 4 AF days in a week is a big win for me. Maybe I'm on the right path!
During this rut (that I'm hopefully coming out of) I've fallen into a trap of not wanting to drink in the morning, but then changing my mind by 5, which is when I take my nal. Today I really did not want to drink at any point. So effortless! I had some club soda with crushed berries in it, and I think that scratched my celebratory itch at the end of the day.
I'm hoping beyond hope that this sticks. I'm kinda waiting for the other shoe to drop, though.

I know exactly what you mean about waiting for the other shoe to drop. I had a great week last week then this week has been the pits - but as I said in the other post - I think it is my brain knowing that this is soon to stop and so having a last hoorah! Hang in there !! We can and will do this !!

hugs, Maggie x

Maggie yes we can! I've literally dreamt of adding my name to the cured list...
I have an image in my mind of being sober and happy and done with all this at the Holidays. It seems so far away and so close at the same time...

I wound up with 4 AF days and 15 units total last week. That's a win for me!
This week is going well so far... 2 AF days and 0 units. I'm thinking that'll hold until Wednesday, when I plan to get my drink on with friends. Lol
I've been thinking about why it's taken so long to start to have any results, and I'm coming up empty. I wish there was more concrete information on this out there. Hopefully one day soon there will be.
I had been feeling like it wasn't working, because there was no real decrease. And I questioned the method, because the difference in drinking on or off Nal is basically imperceptible to me. I guess that's a double edged sword... It can really feel like nothing is happening, which is discouraging, but that subtlety is also the beauty of it! When I'm cured, I'll still be able to drink when I want, without the fear of readdiction.

I am really pleased that you are getting more AF days - I woke up this morning and thought 'I am SO pleased I was AF yesterday'. It was great - so I know what you mean about having that third AF day! Also - although you say that you do not really notice a difference or not, drinking on Nal, I think that you do - it might be subtle and I also do not really feel any difference, but I think it is there...... even if you do not, you have to continue - there is no alternative ! You are about a month after me and I have felt that it was never going to work - but it WILL. I just know it will - I think we just have to accept that it is slow going but one day we will be able to get on the 'cured' list!

Hugs to you, Maggie x

Gdmcf, sounds great for you!! You started about 10 days before me, so your recent progress gives me a LOT of hope. Wonderful on the AF days. I've had 2 in a row but not 3 since I started. Lately I haven't had any at all. You are inspiring me, though........

Nal on!! Newlife

hey, at this rate you might not drink with your friends.... nal on!