Cheeto,

I think what Guapo is saying (correct me if I am wrong) behavior modification may help you along.

I had horrendous nal overs and I force my intake down. Once I did, I could feel the nal doing its job. I am unsure if it was the time on the nal or pushing down my intake that helped, but I just couldn't handle those nal overs and I was thankful when I noticed that I was okay with stopping with 2 or 3 drinks. It took me a couple of weeks to feel comfortable with cutting my intake down, but it helped.

Generic started drinking beer with a lower % of alcohol to help him along.

I am not suggesting for you to do this, I am just letting you know there is more than one way to get to the other side.

I wish that the nal worked for me like it did with Ocean or the book claims, but it didn't. I still have to stop myself from over drinking (no more than 2 drinks), and there are times that my brain will scream for more, but I know better and now I have the strength stop. I had to change up my routine, and push myself out of my comfort zone for things to click in my brain. My desire is now a slight whisper instead of a screaming FEED ME, FEED ME NOW!

I had to reread the book to understand what Sinclair meant by "cured", and by his terms I am, but by my terms I am not. I still do not trust myself with alcohol even with the nal., so more time is needed before I could make that claim.

I think drinking like you normally do helps most people, but some of us need an extra push. It could be a higher dose for you, for I have read that some people didn't feel the difference until they went up to 100 mg (that is not the norm and I do not advise anyone to do it without talking with a health car professional or an AUD counselor), or behavior modification, or just more time.

I could pull all of those that took longer than a year for you to read, if that would help. Just let me know.

I do think that nal is a magic pill, but sometimes that magic isn't enough.

Jaba

Hi everyone!
Joesixpack, I only take Gabapentin for my menopause symptoms but not all the time, no anti depressants.

Jaba, I have just had 2 AF days and need to get used to those and think that may be the key for me to plan more. I really want to go AF through the week and only take Nal+Drink on the weekends. I think that may kick start me, so am going with that right now. May upp my dose next but will see how this works for a month or so?
I have been reading a lot of many people's journey's on TSm which took much longer. These give me inspiration to keep on, keeping on!

Thank You all again for your support through the tough times!
Nal On!

Hi Cheeto - I just wanted to say that I felt that nothing was working either - for 11 months nothing worked - yes, my intake had gone down but I was no nearer being 'cured' - BUT suddenly, there I was - YES - the EASY button!! I know that you feel you may have taken a backwards step by drinking without the Nal - BUT you are still moving forward! StephB also drank without the Nal at times - or didn't wait the hour and eventually even she was cured! Granted it took her two years but she did get there - so please, chin up - you will get there - LOL - you know my Mantra! Have faith and be patient! I really do have every faith that you will get there - just hang in there..... okay?

HUGS, Maggie x

Thank you for coming back and hanging with us, Cheeto! Yours is a tough fight and you're really an inspiration.

The gabapentin should help you along the way, that's what my TSM doc prescribed along with the Nal to help me get down to slow wave sleep (I take it about 30 min. before bed).

Well, maybe check in with your TSM doc to see if he has any helpful suggestions to add?

Maggie, somehow I imagine that the only reason you drink at all these days is so you can grab that bottle and wring it's little neck! LOL!

LOL Joe - I just do not want to drink - now and then the thought crosses my mind that maybe a drink might be nice - but the thought has gone by the time I can even take a step! I just do NOT want to drink - I am very slowly coming to terms with it!! But it has taken a long time for me to accept that it really is real!

hugs, Maggie

Cheeto, That sounds like a great plan; however, please do not white knuckle it. I did notice if I forced AF days my intake would go up the next few times I drank. It just wasn't worth it. Please be cautious. I believe Bardo uses Gabapentin (a script from his doctor not over the counter) during the day for alcohol cravings. I am currently using Gaba for sleep, and have been surprised how great my sleep as been. I have read that the gaba hits different receptors (alpha-2-delta-1 receptors) than the naltrexone, so adding it may benefit you (just a suggestion). Here is a link with the different drugs used with alcoholism http://www.uptodate.com/contents/pharma ... e-disorder. I am not suggesting that you go off the TSM path, I am just letting you know that adding something may help.I agree that you should take your time and see how your body responds. After that next month or so, and you are not seeing results, maybe reach out to JoAnna. I think bouncing your progress, and ideas, off of her may help trouble shoot, relax, and inspire you along the way. But, you maybe surprised and your body and brain could start responding differently than before.When I thought TSM wasn't going to work, I would stay up nights (drunk crying in my wine) reading the old posts. It was inspiring to read a break through, and the posts of those who struggled longer than most. They never gave up although at times they wanted to. I also would reread the book, for I was always forgetting something or finding something new.

I do believe that TSM works on more people than the statistics claim. If someone stops too soon, stops because of side effects, or misses that buzz, that isn't TSM failing, it is that person giving up and/or giving in to alcohol! If someone would continue to follow the GR and not see a decrease of intake at all I would be very surprised.

When your brain is ready to let alcohol go it will. There is no forcing it. Time, patience, a positive attitude and that GR is all that is needed.

Let us know if you need anything, for your invisible friends will alway be here to help,

Jaba

NB too, that when Gabapentin got named, they thought it hit the GABA receptors (and so the name stuck), but it actually acts over a wider array of receptor types via a calcium channel mechanism.

I thought Neurontin (gabapentin) bare the structural resemblance to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and although its agent has no activity in the GABA's neuronal system, it could be why Gabapentin got its name. However, who really knows why any manufacturer picks a name. Interesting note, Gabapentin has been found to increase cerebral GABA concentrations in the brain.

Cheeto,

If you do add Gabapentin to help, please research the drug. It isn't that easy coming off of it when it is used for a long period of time. I debated a long time whether or not I wanted to be on it because of this fact, but I did not want to be on a sleep-aid that is addictive, or another AD for sleep, and OTC sleep aids were not working. But, I do believe in quality of life, and without sleep me and anyone around me, would not have any life to speak of !

I am back to tracking my drinking daily so updated my signature with my new 2016 Week 1....

Nal ON!