Oh Badger - I am SO happy for you that you feel you have turned a corner - and 5 AF days - amazing !! Wonderful news - I really am glad !

Hugs, Maggie x

thanks Maggie. I'm pretty happy too

Badger,

That is wonderful that you have turned that corner! I have to say having 5 af days is remarkable as well, and makes me want to push for more af days. After your af days do you feel your drinking increases or is it just a normal day drinking? I have found after 4 af days it is harder for me to stop. Don't get me wrong, I can stop (which before I couldn't have), but I really have to make an effort to keep my intake down.

I also have a hard time sleeping, and I am happy to hear that sleep is getting better for you (which means I might have a chance). Being tired and not being able to sleep has always been a big trigger for me, and I don't know why for you do not sleep better with al., even if you pass out! And I love that vivid dreaming, for this morning I kept on dreaming I was getting up but falling back to sleep...it was so real I woke up tired!

I do hope that you do a happy dance, for you should be very very happy!

Jaba

Wow, badger, that is incredible!! And I really needed to hear it today, I am doing OK, but when I was updating my tracking chart yesterday and wrote "Week 30" at the top of my chart I have to admit I was feeling a little discouraged, like, "how long is this going to take?" and "maybe I am just one of those for whom this doesn't work". That sort of stuff. I just have to put that aside and keep on course, but hearing from other "long timers" like you that progress is being made really helps.

Glad you are sleeping better too; sleep is essential. Thanks for sharing that link.

Nal on!! xoxo Newlife

Congratulations, Badger! 5 alcohol free days without white-knuckling it is wonderful!

Newlife, I think it is important to tell yourself constantly, as Maggie does, this is going to work!

Deena

thanks all

jaba, it's early days yet - I've only been getting AF's the last few weeks - I don't really get the urge to have a heavy night after a few days off though

for those who've been at TSM for a while without much success, hang in there & be patient. the neural pathways do take time to break down, we've been building them for years after all

-badger

I think I need to reread the book. I have such a hard time with science but maybe if I forced myself to try and understand it a little better it would be easier to have the patience.

It is funny because I was a great student always, but not in science. Almost failed high school chemistry and after that just gave up and am SOOO intimidated but anything scientific and especially medical. Even when I go to the doctor I have such a hard time understanding what I am being told.

Super happy for you badger once again and thanks for sharing. xoxo Newlife

Newlife - we ARE going to get there - I know we are - we both just have to have patience!! You know what - we just need to stop focusing on the finish line and enjoy the journey!!

HUGS, Maggie xx

* pre-Nal:
you drink. brain gets a rush of endorphins. brain learns Drinking = Good

* with Nal:
you drink. Nal blocks the endorphins. brain learns Drinking = Not Good

as time goes on the brain learns that "Drinking = Not Good" each time you drink with Nal, which gradually chips away at the "Drinking = Good" that it learned pre-Nal

I sort of get at least that much, but what concerns me is that my brain on nal still seems to give me the message that

Drinking = Good. Maybe not as good as pre, but still good.

So I think what you are saying is that it takes time for that full message to get across?

Newlife