MD - well done on the AF days - and I did have down feelings with the nal - and having an AF day or two would get those to dissipate. As Jaba says try just having one or two days - I was told it needed to be three but 1 or 2 worked for me - we are all different. It sounds as if you are really doing so well - glad that the surgery went well for you too.

Hugs, Maggie x

Hello TSM BOARD- Happy Easter!
I have just read through all my posts and your comments. It really helps to remind myself of my progress and again I'm so thankful to all of you who are so helpful with taking an interest in me. Thank you - you are all good people!

I have a confession though. After feeling so down last Sunday I went back to 25mg. I wanted to have a drink but just didn't want that massive depression again. On Wednesday night I had 3 units,Thursday 2, Friday 3 and last night 1. Last night I really enjoyed the one beer (not buzz wise )I had but then when I went to have another one I just could not finish it - it was amazing. I poured it down the sink.

Again I will keep a close eye on my cravings,my units and any buzz I get but if I can still progress on 25mg (or 31.5 mg) I am going to stay there. I am also going through a breakdown of a relationship so I just can't cope with that depression on top of it all. I am pleased with myself that Im turning to other things rather than alcohol at this time. I'm doing meditation,listening to podcasts,exercising and talking to my friends. This is different for me and having reduced my alcohol consumption is really helping me to see things more clearly. Normally I would drink 4 drinks apologise to him for something I haven't done,beg his forgiveness,get drunk, get hungover and the whole cycle would continue. I deserve a man that appreciates me. Someone that wouldn't dream of calling his girlfriend horrible names.
Being lonely on your own is far better than being lonely in a relationship.

MD - LOVE LOVE LOVE your post! YES, you ARE worthy of better than you were getting re your b/f and I am so happy that you realise it too! Also really pleased to hear of your intake this week - and the fact that you did not want to finish your drink is such progress! Doesn't it feel good?

Some people do do well on the lower dose - it is not the 'standard' dose that was recommended by Eskapa but if you are doing well on it then that is great - it is better (in my opinion) to take a lower dose and TAKE the nal than to drink without it. I was pleased that you are watching your cravings etc., and maybe if they change then you can dissolve your Nal and go up in lesser increments than 25mg?

Really happy to read how well you are doing, have a lovely weekend,

Hugs, Maggie

Yes, MD!! Well done and glad to hear you're getting along with 25mg so far.

Thought of a REO Speedwagon tune, you'll have to reverse the genders, but sounds like a good fit otherwise:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfSHzD21Oz4

Nal on and Keep On Rollin' !!!

MD,

My heart goes out to you, for I have been there. It is the hardest thing to realize you would be better off alone and hurting than hurting because of verbal abused. A friend of mind would say the pain I am feeling I can deal with for I walked away and it was my choice, but the pain that he caused me because of his abusive ways is something no one should have to deal with. I would always try to remember that the pain I am feeling is not going to last forever and I will grow because I am no longer his verbal punching bag.

Dr. Eskapa posted on here about dose:

"If you are responding well to 25 mg naltrexone 30 minutes to an hour before drinking then by all means proceed. There are individual differences in metabolism and absorption of the medication. Some doctors prescribe 100 mg naltrexone ... but the studies reported are based on 50 mg, as you said. In this case taking a larger dose will not speed up the de-addiction process. As long as the opioid receptors are blocked so that there is no reinforcement coming from the endorphins released by alcohol, then you will be extinguishing the addiction. Just as the addiction is not learned overnight so the de-addiction (pharmacological extinction) process takes time." viewtopic.php?f=15&t=339&p=3687&sid=a7d4618cf931547f80fe61e41e36280c#p3687

I hope that puts you a little at easy about your dose, for as long as you are not feeling a rush and keeping a close eye on your intake that is all that matters. PLUS, if you are not finishing your drink (which is amazing) you know that lower dose it working for you!

You are getting control back into your life, and every step/struggle is making you a stronger person!

Keep the faith, and nal on,

Jaba

Hello fellow TSMers
Im now heading into my fourth month. When I look at the numbers Im particularly pleased with the reduction in units but also the AFDs. To me this is all about changing habits so the fact that I havent been drinking every night of the week is great. Some of that is just not wanting to have the NAL and feel tired and depressed the next day but the other part is a genuine change in habit. I went to dog training last night and just didnt even think of drinking. Monday night I went to my dog club meeting and didnt think of drinking. Now Wednesday night is normally a night I do have a drink but what Im going to do is see whether the craving is there- really concentrate on whether I do want a drink.
At this stage Im reflecting on what I would like to do with my relationship with alcohol. Would I like to be a Moderate Drinker as my name suggests or do I want to abstain completely. At this stage I would like to be a Moderate Drinker. I want to keep to healthy limits. I do not feel obsessed with alcohol like I used to which is great. I think I should just stop thinking about it and just keep following the golden rule. I cant remember who it was who said that, maybe it was Maggie but I remember it was the thing about this method is that you dont really have to think about it as long as you take the pill. Whether I abstain in the future or whether I moderate doesnt really matter - it's taking the pill that matters and it's one area of my life that I dont have to worry about. I'm starting to get that now and it's a good feeling
Hope you're all having a good week.

MD

It sounds like things are going really well for you, MD! I think you're right, just take the Nal and the choice about when to drink and how much will be yours to make, unlike the "old days". That's the point of TSM, restoring your choice.

Great work, MD. Congratulations and Nal on!

Thanks mate!

Oh MD - your posts are so positive! Yes it was me that said do not worry about what you will do in the future re AL - that decision was taken out of my hands - I could not be a moderate drinker these days any more than I could fly to the moon! I also love that you are thinking about if or not you actually want to drink - you are a far better pupil than I was !!(LOL). I also want to say that it doesn't matter WHY you have an AF day - if it be because you do not want to feel the way the nal makes you feel, or because you just do not feel the need - for whatever reason, it is GREAT! It matters not why you don't drink - as long as you are not white knuckling that is good! I did drink daily - and found it so hard to have an AF day - I think you are doing splendidly! Good for you.

hugs, Maggie x

Moderate drinker I second what Maggie is saying. GIven what you are going through you are staying so positive and taking such good care of yourself and having success with the nal. That is fantastic!! You should give yourself a lot of credit.

The future will sort itself out.

Nal on!! Newlife