Great summary FB and congratulations. I'm looking forward to your personal "independence day." I had a bad night last night -- am guessing 15 drinks -- but for the first time on TSM lost track. It's good to read some thing positive on this wasted, hangover day. That's what I look forward to the most with my personal independence: no more wasted days recovering from a hangover.

Firebird -- I just read your very compelling post of welcome to one of our newest members. I had such a feeling of gratitude that you are here. I hope you be might be willing to save that post somewhere and send the same message to each new "seeker" who shows up here.

Aw shucks, Thanks.

As far as sending it to every new member goes, I'm afraid I might miss someone unintentionally, and I would hate to have some feel more "welcomed" than others. But if anyone wanted to adapt the post and send it, I sure wouldn't mind. I'll save it nonetheless.

Hey Nick, this post-honeymoon phase is where you can have some real hum-dingers! I think it's the addictive brain fighting back, "Hey, WTF happened to my endorphins?" I take it a sure sign that TSM is working. Hang in and keep on truckin'

Thanks FB. I think we should have a two or three part introductory greeting for every new member. Part 1 could be FB's preparation message that he just submitted to our newest member. Part 2 could include my rants directed toward doctors, including definitive citations that should persuade even the most stubborn GP that they can, and more importantly should, prescribe naltrexone. This would include the NY Times article and page 203 from THE CURE that should be given to EVERY doctor that is asked for a naltrexone prescription by one of our members. I think we need to be thinking beyond ourselves -- every thick-headed doctor that can be persuaded to see the legitimacy of TSM could literally save the lives of hundreds of their other patients. Just think of all of the good that COULD come from these doctors, once they are transformed from an unnecessary obstacle into a beacon of light and TSM messenger. Part 3 could include G4M's message to spouse/friends/loved ones... Just a thought. No need to re-duplicate the wheel every time a new member comes on board and they should all be treated equally. Oh yeah, part 4 could probably include something about nal side-effects as well.

As for me personally, yes the honeymoon is over and my brain is definitely telling me it's time for some payback. BUT, despite last nights' Grey Goose party (my bad, should have stuck with beer as opposed to something that actually tastes good to me) I still did not blackout conversations and I still remained in control to the point GF did not criticize me once for my drunken behavior. SO my record in those two very important scoreboards is still TSM Nick 40, Pre-Nal Drunken Fool Nick ZERO.

FB, I agree completely - the addicted brain goes into a frenzy of insisting it gets what it wants at some point, and we're compelled back into heavy drinking. This seems to happen just before a major breakthrough, and I'm guessing it's because even though we drink a great deal more, the brain is not 'fed' its drug of choice b/c of the receptor blockage - so it gives up, and we suddenly have a dramatic decrease in cravings. This happened to both Jake and me. Last week I was bummed b/c of heavy craving and drinking, and then all of a sudden this weekend I didn't even feel like having a drink until very late in the day, and that was more due to 'trigger' social situations than to actual physical cravings. Jake actually went out with me to hear a great band, and drank SODA! Said he didn't even miss his beer. This is major, major progress! Though I drank. . .it really feels I've entered into another dimension, and I can taste how close we are to being free of this damned monkey.

Onward, and downward!

G4M, you have probably told us before, but for the sake of the "memory impaired' is Jake doing TSM too? That sounds like serious progress to me. I'm having one of those sneak-up-on-ya nights, but I feel like quitting at 7 drinks - definitely a difference for me. In the old days I would have had 10 or more wines for sure. I often talk of taking my "protection" before drinking. Tonight I feel like my guardian angel is saying, "That's enough, go to sleep." I was protected tonight, and I know that TSM is definitely working for me.

Well, I'm off to bed then .

Yup, at least 10 glasses of wine usually. I am a little less unconscience these days and think before I imbibe, that's the main difference for me. Mindless drinking was what I have always done, until I started counting these darn units. It's all in the post!!!! Ugh!

Ah, yes, "protection" -- good one. Funny, but there are a lot of parallels with the other form of "protection." One of my minor victories this week was on Saturday night. For the first time, I poured a drink, took a sip, only to realize that I had forgotten to take the nal one hour before. And I was headed out the door so I had a choice -- just drink it and take the nal, or dump it and wait an hour. I took that sparkly Grey Goose and tonic and dumped it in the sink. A minor victory in an otherwise bad week.

Yes, FB, Jake is doing TSM with me, and having wonderful success! While that monkey hasn't entirely lost its hold, here's what is happening: we're experiencing no cravings whatsoever during the day; we're not starting to drink until early evening; there are definitely times we can 'take it, or leave it.' We usually still choose to drink, and once we start we both still drink to excess - though not to the excesses prior to TSM. Jake sat through an entire evening listening to a band w/o a single drink on Friday night. I had 2 glasses of wine with dinner on Saturday, then stopped for over an hour, then had several more through the evening. This past Fri.-Sun. I did not have anywhere near my previous units: 6/8/8. I used to drink 12-15 units on a weekend day/night. I'm hoping we go AF this afternoon, but if we don't. . .no biggie. It's definitely coming, now or later! It seems our progress is speeding up, just the past week or so. I suspect it's the switching off of the light syndrome, TG!

Independence day has arrived! Not that I have unrealistic expectations, mind you. I know that today I better really keep an eye on things. Anyway, gotta keep it short if I want a spot on the lake tonight I better be anchored by 10am! I had my best week so far on TSM last week, and my optomism at this point is unparalleled!

Happy and safe Independence day to all