Hey all,

I just read most of The Cure, which says (as you know) that we should chart our progress. I also get so much inspiration from your progress threads, so I want to contribute.

I started Nal at the end of July. I definitely have seen a down-trend in units. I need to keep better track than what I've been doing, and I intend this to be how I do that.

Thank you all for your support. I see it constantly in these threads. You all rock!

Chris

Welcome Chris - and nice to have you here posting - it is so important (I think) to track ones units - even better if it is here in front of us all - that way we can see how others are doing - which can either spur us on or we can commiserate!

So glad that you are doing well so far on the Nal,

Hugs, Maggie

Welcome Chris! Glad to see you're posting along with the rest of us... it really DOES help the rest of us out. (I also find it's a great way to keep my own feelings and behaviors on the front burner, so to speak, by posting about myself.) While it's not a competition, it is really enlightening to see how others are progressing.

I love having cheerleaders here to celebrate my victories (small as they've been so far) and shoulder for crying on when things aren't going so well. Best of luck and keep on keeping on!

MinneMom

Welcome Chris! I am looking forward to hearing about your progress!

Dee

Charting is important as you can see hard evidence of how you are progressing. You know us alcoholics probably shouldn't rely on our memories

There are App's out there if you have one of them there smart phone PDA's. I used one called Alcodroid for Android. Every time you have a drink just press a button.

Good luck.

Thanks for the tip about the app. The problem for me is that my phone is from my employer, and I don't want the employer to know about my alcohol consumption.

I feel helpless and hopeless. My craving has increased in the last week. I've been drinking more and more, missing work. My fiance read me the riot act last night. When will this start working?

It happens to a lot of people AO. The beast is trying to escape the cage. Are you following the golden rule to a tee? Are you taking a full 50mg of Naltrexon at least one hour prior to your first drink?

If so then just keep at it. Don't give up.

AO, that happened to me too. Started drinking more and more. But I am still hopeful. Don't give up. You don't get a buzz, do you? I know you still feel drunk but it isn't really pleasurable anymore is it? Try to start later and later in the day, that helps.
Susie

Chris, I have a notebook that I fill in each night regarding my consumption because I do not want it on my phone, either. It really does help to keep track. I think it helps most when you have to mark each one as you have it, but I rarely do that. Some people keep track in their signature box.

The nal is going to help, just keep at it. It is hard not to get discouraged when you hit a bump in the road. We all hit them, though, and just have to keep going. I have had a tough week and immediately I turned to alcohol, even though I started TSM at the end of May. I felt depressed and sad but dusted myself off, gave myself a pep talk, and am carrying on. When I look back at what I was drinking in May and what I am drinking now, I have much to be happy about.

It might be time for you to practice some mindfulness and moderation management. Although I think it is important not to force alcohol free days while using TSM, I don't think it hurts to drink some water in between drinks and things like that.

There is a thread for SO's on this forum. Do you think that your finance might be helped by reading the some of the stories here?

There is hope. I am a strong believer in positive affirmations. When you feel down, instead of berating yourself in your head, say something like "I am making progress every day. I am strong and getting stronger every day".

I would send you hugs but that is Maggie's job.

Dee