Day 3 now and am happy with the results. Drink count is way down (5drink avg last 2 nights) and I think I could have done less but I'm still trying to see how mind & body react.

The one thing I don't like is the spacey feeling that kicks in about 1hr after taking the pill. It makes me feel a little loopy and kinda drunk feeling although I haven't had a drop to drink. I wouldn't mind it at night but I'm waking up feeling the same way and extremely tired (just spacey)...feel like I could sleep another 4-5hrs. Both nights I slept 7hrs+ so this is new to me.

When I had an AL free day pre-Nal, I would wake pretty alert and ready to go.

I know this is a SE of the Nal but I just wanted to ask you veterans if this is something you experienced as well. Plus it may help others who are beginning their recovery...

ttc -

I still get that spacey/loopy feeling, but for most it passes in a week, give or take.

Other TSM'ers, please lend your experience!

I'm liking those numbers too, ttc!

TTC
Yes I can relate to those loopy woozy feelings and also the tiredness. The first couple of times I had it I just really wanted to lay on the lounge and space out. I also felt very tired the next day and depressed and demotivated. Im now into my fifth week and have only just gone up to 50Mg because the SE were just too much but I noticed the last time I took 25mg I got a buzz out of the drink so the receptors obviously werent being blocked. I've just had two nice easy AFDs. What I'm finding is that its really helping me to break the habit of drinking especially during the week. I plan stuff to do on my AFDs,especially exercise and fun stuff with my dogs or work I need to get done. It's amazing how many more hours there are in a day when you're not sitting in front of the TV watching crap reality television. I was quite depressed with the SE I got but at the same time the SE helped me to have AFDs and I wasnt white knuckling just didnt want to have that woozy tired demotivated feeling. To me drinking is a habit not a disease and TSM is helping me to break that habit because it wards off those cravings and there is also the extinction effect of course- Pavlov's Dog in reverse.

Im so glad I found out about this method and found this Board and the OSL Board. Everybody is different but we all have that one thing is common- drinking is a problem for us but we all want to fix that problem and we are all helping each other to do that.

So here I am on day 4 (still in the honeymoon period) and just wanted to say that last night I took my 1/2 pill (25mg), felt a little buzz and then opened a beer 2hrs later. I didn't want the AL but because I took the pill I drank 1/2 the bottle and dumped the rest out. Then to bed for a 7.5hr sleep!!

I awoke to minimal buzz feeling, best since I started and feel very positive today. in my opinion, maybe the SE buzz effect I was getting was because I was still drinking 4-6 units(still 50% less then before NAL) per night to see how I would feel with the medication. I believe that the pill is a tool but i've also made a promise to myself to 1) drink the 1st drink slowly and listen to what my mind & body is telling me, 2) wait at least 1.15hrs after taking the pill, 3) always have some food & big glass of water when taking the pill & 4) try not to drink as much...simple!

I did notice that I had a bit of an urge to finish the beer last night and I think this may be due to the fact that I'm still taking only 1/2 a pill...I plan to increase to the full dose Sunday as I'm away on a family trip this weekend and don't want to feel spaced out with the kids.

Thanks for the support!!!

Excellent, ttc! Sounds like the SE's are passing too. I think you've got a good plan!

Just a quick update after 1 week on Nal @ 25mg...

Sat - 6
Sun - 8
Mon - 7
Tues - 1
Wed - 7
Thur - .5
Fri - 2
Total - 24.5 Units!!!

I can honestly say that I am surprised at the reduction in units. At the beginning, I was experimenting by having AL and seeing what it does to my mind & body. I believe that on my higher days, the SE of the Nal was worse the next day making me very foggy till early afternoon.

I have had no issues remembering to take the pill and as of yesterday, I have increased the dose to the full 50mg and will see what happens. my only hope is that the foggy feeling goes away.

I also like to have a few beers and then Vodka, this happened last Wednesday as I hadn't tried vodka while on the Nal before. As others said, it really had no taste and out of habit I finished the drink...I was pretty sore the next day!! I think I will remove Vodka from future sessions as much as I can.

I know that it takes some mind control along with the pill to make this work and that is something I'm trying to remind myself all the time.

I do find drinks are lasting longer and am following the advice of food+water with the pill and drinking water while consuming AL. Its not on the 1st week tally but I was away for the weekend and had 11 units Saturday (3 beers + 3 double brandy's) but drank a ton of water with it and was better off in the morning

I check in daily to the boards and see the advice and support that many are giving and know that this is a long process, we all will be better for doing it!!

Progressing nicely, ttc! Glad to see it!

Mindfulness does indeed accelerate results. The Nal would eventually get you there, but with mindfulness you're working the habit part of the disorder while Nal works against the urge. AA guys that come into TSM while abstinent really seem to rock on Nal, I think it was Bardo that remarked that it's because AA techniques give you control over the habit.

Sorry folks...I guess math isn't my strong point...31.5 for the 1st week. Lol.

Thanks for the feedback all!!

Good to read TTC - isn't it lovely to see those numbers go down? Please do not be worried if they go back up slightly - they often do once the honeymoon period is over, but rarely back to Pre nal levels.

I would also suggest that you eventually get up to 50mg. Even though you are doing so well so far on 25mg. if SE's are a problem then go up in 12.5 increments.

Great so far though - good for you!

Hugs, Maggie

So I have been on 50mg since last Sunday and am currently at 48 units so far this week. I am fighting a cold and don't see any AL tonight so I think this will be my #'s for week 2.

When I increased the dose, I didn't feel any additional SE...still feeling a little spacey and tired but I see the SE subsiding.

One thing I found this week is that I don't have the "don't want AL" feeling that I had when 1st starting with Nal. I guess this means that my honeymoon period might be ending and I'll just have to follow the golden rule.

I'm craving AL more this week then last and am having a tough time reminding myself not to give in to it or to take my time with the 1st drink, have water, etc...

My numbers are still down and I haven't had a hangover since starting. Had 1 A/F day Wednesday and was active yesterday (indoor golf) & really enjoyed it then made the mistake of having some AL and ended up being really hard on myself for it. I found I was excited to have a beer after the golf and that is the feeling I would like to have go away because it tends to lead to more than 1.

Hills & Valleys is what this journey will be...