I'm very new to this treatment but I thought that I would add my two cents. Everyone that keeps trying to find a better life and refuses to give up on themselves will find their way. Keep going! You've made it through so much. I've found this method effective to work through my issue with alcohol and it seems to be the best path for me. From your posts, the Nal seems to work for you as well, so keep at it

Some people are posting analogies to help in understanding the journey through this (like the wheel with spokes). My analogy at this point is like the relationship with a boyfriend that is very bad for me but so much fun. Every time we (alcohol and I) break up, I think I'm done for good. Then I forget the bad stuff and start remembering the fun and before I know it, we are back together and I end up in the gutter again wondering how I got there. I find that I am extremely addicted to alcohol emotionally and that Nal allows me to never experience the good, even when I take a sip. So now when I romanticize the drinking, I don't get to experience the fun and eventually all I'm left with is the bad memories, which do come back.

Keep posting and let us know how you are doing!

Update:

thanks everyone for your wonderful messages.. I felt like the biggest fool ever to declare myself cured, only to come back with a depressing message.

I have since worked out that my relapses are happening monthly or thats when I want a drink. Due to naltrexone I have been able to abstain and yet still have the outbursts of rage and anger. ( basically a mini breakdown) Because of Naltrexone giving me more control over the alcohol I can clearly see that I have an underlying problem. Alcohol was simply a symptom and a bad method of self medication.
I have been diagnosed as having PMDD which is a bad reaction to a hormone imbalance. I feel I need to share that information with others struggling with alcoholism. I understand it probably wont apply to A LOT on here, ( males lol ) but it goes to show that there could be something else triggering the alcohol .. the naltrexone does work, but might not look like it does if you have another underlying condition.

be safe everyone and best of luck

update

6 months sober

Eating healthily has helped calm my hormonal swings and I no longer experience the extreme craving once a month to go mess up my life with a binge session. (no sugar, no grains, lots of veg, good fats and home made fermented foods etc)

Thanks for the update! I love starting my day with some positive news. You are an inspiration.

Thanks for updating and coming back. This is a lonely scary road that we are on, and having people come back to update makes that road not a scary or lonely.

Jaba

I have PMDD is it can be hell!

thanks for the update. a healthy diet is a HUGE plus to recovery. stay the course!

Thanks for the update zodina. So pleased everything is going so well for you, for so long!! xoxo Newlife