Here starts my journey of being sober to TSM...

When I was prescribed Naltrexone from my Therapist, there was no mention of TSM or pharmacological extinction. I was not aware of TSM at that point. I was merely using it to ween myself off alcohol and help with detox. Come to find out, I was a quick responder.
Pre Nal: 6-9 drinks/day, more on the weekend days, APROX 60/week (Started December 1, 2015)
Day 1: 5
Day 2: 4.5 (.5 meaning I poured the rest out because I had no desire to finish it)
Day 3: 4
Day 4: 3.5
Day 5: 2.5
Day 6: 2
Day 7: 2
Day 8: 1
Day 9: 1
Day 10 - 37 now (January 6, 2016) SOBER

Drinks mainly consisted of 4-6% alc beer or wine.

During my sobriety, I was researching Naltrexone and discovered TSM. Intrigued by this, digging deeper, I found the book "The Cure for Alcoholism", the documentary, "One Little Pill", podcasts regarding TSM, articles, and youTube videos. At this point, my cravings have become unbearable...white knuckling it. I found this forum, asked questions, concerns and made my own personal decision to go from being sober to TSM, in hopes for extinction, no more cravings nor desire to drink.

I have been attending AA and was due to get my 30 day chip on January 8th. I'm not sure if I will continue to go or not...my ultimate goal is to be sober and that's all that's required for AA. I like going to meet other sober people, be around other alcoholics and listen to their stories. Everyone has their own approach to getting sober whether it be cold turkey, AA, rehab, SMART recover, TSM, etc. I feel guilty going and still drinking and don't want to be dishonest. I have friends in there now that will question and I don't want to harm their recovery by mentioning TSM. A dilemma I need to figure out on my own. One day at a time!

Week 1: just beginning.....

If it were me and I was just starting TSM I wouldn't leave my decision open to question, friends or not. With regard to AA I think you'll either have to keep quiet or stop going.

I have never been to a meeting myself, so who am I to judge? but it seems like their world is pretty black and white.

Welcome Angie. You are so lucky to be a fast responder, but keep in mind it could also be a "honeymoon period", especially since your cravings have gotten so bad.

I tend to agree with all41 in that I doubt you will WANT to go if you are seriously following TSM, but what do you have to lose by trying it? The most important thing is YOU and getting where you want to be. You have to do whatever that takes.

Anyway, whatever happens there, we will be here for you and support you in whatever you choose to do. We are also here to help.

Good luck!! Newlife

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Oh goodness Jaba, a meeting like that would spike my social anxiety. haha I've only been to about 6 now and there's anywhere from 10-30 people (30 being on a weekend). I still get nervous walking through the door with that amount. I don't have a sponsor yet and not really looking to get one anytime soon. I just sit and listen. You make some great points!

Face to Face - I questioned if there was a private FB group, (as close as we all can get to being face to face) which I guess there is but said I needed to be around in the forum for a while before allowing me in. I understand, I guess but why create a group if they won't let anyone in. If someone is concerned about staying anonymous, then don't join or create a fake pseudo account. If it's private, no-one outside the group will see. I think it would be a helpful tool/support group for people who don't know about the forum and are avid FB users like myself. Don't get me wrong, I'm ecstatic I found this forum. Everyone who has commented has been so helpful!

Side note: I took my Nal this evening, taking it at 2:30, having a glass of wine at 4:30 and it took me 3 hours to finish it. I no longer have the irresistible craving I've been having for several days now and I have no desire whatsoever to have another glass. I'm just so amazed by how good it works!

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Angie - that is great about feeling the effects so quickly - some here think that you have better chance of success if you DO have the honeymoon period - I had it and am now 'cured' - hate that term but am not sure what else to put. Plus the fact I keep thinking it is going to go back to how it was - time is the only thing that is going to show me that it is real. Anyway - I was so happy to read about how you did yesterday - great going! I think it must have been a difficult decision to take the Nal, with having been AF for so long and also going to AA meetings - they were not for me either plus I live in a really small town and my car would be seen there which I did not want - I used to do my drinking at home and NO-ONE (except family) ever knew that I had a problem!

Hang in there and keep following the Golden rule ....

hugs, Maggie x

Re the facebook group. In the beginning we were three or four people, mostly long-timers from this forum who were not having great success and were openly trying to supplement TSM with other meds and solutions. We openly advertised here and actively invited. Few accepted. Those of us who did join eventually evolved into a tight little family. We support each other daily and still experiment far beyond the scope of basic TSM. Four of us are on LDN, a couple upped their Nal and some are on several meds and rehab programs. We have all seen at least some improvement. We are also quite social in a way that a larger group could not be. We all share our lives with each other and kid and joke and share pics and such. Daily. As I said, we became a tight little family. Jaba, I watched you become very involved personally on this forum and that happened to me much more so on the group. I always felt too frivolous and too experimental here and though I check in occasionally, I tend to not contribute much here anymore. My friends from the group are here cheering on still.
My point...we don't mean to be "mean girls". We have found ourselves in a tight little family group and are quite protective of it and each other. We have unanimously agreed we don't want bigger and don't advertise for members.
Second point...START A GROUP!! Start several! Personally, I am profoundly grateful for my online family. It is not just a club. It is a family with love and trust. It is a family we all choose to be part of. DO IT! It is so worth the effort!

Love and respect,
Steve.

Thanks Steve! I completely respect that. I was looking for more of a group where there are other people who do TSM for support and advice. Something similar to the private/closed recovery accountability groups that I belong to where there are 300-500 members. I found them because they were promoted by their podcasts. They're great (like an extended family and support) but I find it hard to openly discuss TSM as most are AA, so I feel like I'm holding back with discussing my own recovery method.
Maybe I will start a group. Thanks!

Cool. Happy to help if I can. We did a LOT of fumbling and worried a lot about security. Needed a teenager to guide us.

Love and respect, Steve.