Hi Everyone,
It's been a few weeks since I checked in here. I'm afraid it's been a bit of an up-and-down period for me. Things were rolling along pretty nicely for about 2 straight months, with drinking numbers down around where I wanted them, but then I saw my numbers creep up and I slipped into about a 10-day binge in which my consumption resembled my old pre-nal pattern. I should note that during that binge I also stopped taking the Nal for a few days, which likely allowed it to get so out of hand. I've since recovered from that and am back on track with things, but I decided I really need to make a commitment to limiting myself to just a single drink if TSM is going to work for me. I know Naltrexone is very effective at blocking the excitement of the first few drinks, but if I allow myself to occasionally have a day where I drink too much and get drunk, it seems to put me at risk for having something like a binge happening. It doesn't happen every time, but even once is too much. So I am redefining the golden rule for myself to be, "only ever have 1 drink (and take Nal an hour beforehand)". With that mindset I still believe this method can work. I've been applying it for the last week and a half or so, and so far no craving or desire to drink any more than that. I'm still shooting to reach extinction and I really do believe I've made a lot of progress even if there have been a couple of hiccups. But I think it will be most effective if I can really stick to the rule of just one drink. I know in the beginning it was supposed to be "drink as you normally do", and I saw amazing improvement just from doing that, but 34 weeks in it's time to get serious about actively limiting my consumption.

je3625: sorry about the binge. I was never a binger, but I've been doing TSM only a little longer than you and my pattern has been really seeing results and then occasional backsliding as well. I know things are different for me, but I think I am like you in that I am going to have to sets some rules and limitations in place for a lifetime to really see this work. At least the nal helps us to do that.

It did concern me to hear that you drank without the nal, as I think you probably have read some stories of others here who have found in doing that that they quickly become readdicted. So that scares me for you.

Nal on!! Newlife

Good to hear you are getting back on track. Always remember that drinking without naltrexone is NOT an option in TSM, not even once. Some even believe that a single drinking session without the medication in your system can undo weeks or months of progress. So next time you are even considering drinking without taking the pill first, think about the fact that you've already committed to TSM for almost a year now, and all of that could go to waste.

JE

Sorry to hear about the binge - I certainly know how scary they can be. But I am glad to hear you are back in control and setting some goals for mindful drinking (although 1 drink a day forever seems awful strict to me). Did an event cause the loss of control? What was your mindset when you decided to not take NAL? Just asking so that I might learn to recognize when I may be at risk of doing the same thing.

Hi reboot,
I think the strict limit helps in that it doesn't offer any wiggle room to try to convince myself that more is okay. When I stick to just one, I don't get a craving to have more, and I don't even look forward to it because Nal blocks the high. So far it's working well, but everyone has different goals and strategies that help. The mindset when I decided not to take the Nal was actually that I was already binging and had kind of lost control, so I just said f*** it. I had already crossed the line of sanity. But during my entire time on TSM that is the only occurrence I've ever had of not taking Nal, so overall compliance hasn't been a problem. I don't feel like I set myself back, and if anything I've just gotten more motivation to stick to my moderation rule. So far I've had no cravings since it happened.

That is wonderful je3625!! You are lucky that you can have just one. Are you taking 50 mg? xoxo Newlife

JE

I certainly can relate to losing control Sounds like another great learning experience and thanks for the feedback. I can see your point on setting a strict limit. And it will certainly keep you from losing control if you can stick to the plan.

Je - I agree with Newlife - you are lucky that you can just stop at the one..... how on earth do you manage to do that ?

Hugs, Maggie x

Maggie,
I don't know! The Nal just takes away the pleasure so there's no desire for more. But then again I also don't know why I occasionally lapse into these episodes where I drink more in a week than most people here do in 2 months. I'm just high variance. It's mysterious.

Newlife,
I'm taking 50 mg and that seems to work well. I did take 100 mg for a short time just to try it and didn't notice any difference.

Je.... I'll be reading your posts about limiting yourself to just one drink with great interest! For me, it's not my daily drinking that has me concerned... it's when one of those days turns itself into a one-night binge! Those high consumption episodes (for me I consider a binge more than 4-5 drinks in a night) are what get me into trouble. Fight with my husband, engage in risky behavior I wouldn't consider if not intoxicated, etc. ANyway, I'll be curious to see if your one night maximum will STOP your binges totally! Keep posting and good luck!!!

MinneMom