Chris - out of all the posts that I have read here - the one that talks about not drinking alone really resonated with me. That is a huge improvement!! I passed that point several months ago but never really realized the importance of that. Hell, I would drink alone all the time - and then go drink with my buddies. So - yeah - great job and thanks for pointing out that accomplishment!

Hey everyone,

Still going strong. I've been taking the pill as prescribed at least an hour before drinking and haven't really had any issues to speak of. I wish I could show you a visual chart of what my drinking was like in February compared to now. I mean, it's a 180'. Yesterday I went out for Mexican food and took my nal an hour before. I had one margarita which I enjoyed (probably for the sweetness beyond anything else) and when my friends ordered a second, it was no challenge at all to decline. Now, this is a f***ing miracle. I was the dude who drank at least one more than everyone else. I honestly didn't really care to have another. I thought to myself, 'hey, I could have one... but meh.' Like, it wasn't some BIG DEAL. That is, until I got home later and started reflecting.

I do have a question. I've been reading about AF days. Now, I've had a few but most have been like this: I'm driving home from work and wanting a drink, I take the pill off the keychain and down it and wait an hour... Then two, three hours... I might have poured myself a glass and taken a sip but then forgotten about it. Does that count as an AF day? I guess what I'm asking is: If you take the nal and don't drink, does that count as a AF day or are these days specifically designed to get the opiods going again? The nal only lasts for 12 hours right, so by the evening of the next day my receptors should be back to normal, yes?

Anyways, thanks for the continual support. OH, one more thing. Today I was driving home from work and saw a billboard for a new bourbon. When I was in AA, this was flipping torture... knowing that I wouldn't be able to try it would make me anxious and upset and annoyed with myself. I live in Hollywood so there are signs like this everywhere. Today, I saw it and didn't really think twice. It was awesome.

Chris

Hi Chris,

With regard to your question, I believe the more important point is that when you take nal and have any amount of alcohol, even a sip or two, you are working the extinction process. So, yes, feel great about how little alcohol you have consumed and feel great that you are closer to the rewiring of your brain!
Have you watched the Ted talk featuring Claudia Christian? You can find it under Naltrexone in the news. She speaks about the billboards in Hollywood....I have had similar experiences... see an ad/pic of a delicious, sexy cocktail and brain says "do we like that?... do we want that?"...it is happening to you!

Annie

Chris -

This is sounding very good! I really like your response to the Nal so far!

WRT AF days, you're looking to exploit the sensitivity of your opioid receptors as the Nal wears off. This is called "Selective Extinction" in the book. The upshot is that you use that time to reinforce healthy habits by engaging in endorphin releasing activities (exercise, sex, eating spicy food, laughter, getting a massage, etc). So taking the Nal and having a sip doesn't count as an AF day in that context, though as Annie says, you've moved the extinction process forward another notch.

Ughhh,


Alcohol is a bitch. I still have that little voice in my brain telling me not to take the nal for it will make the alcohol less effective. It's really annoying. Though, I find that if I just take it, it goes away.

I need to remember this for my own sake: My friend Heidi, at the bar, orders a glass of wine and sips it... In an hour, there's still a quarter of a glass left, while I'm considering ordering my 3rd Manhattan. That type of control is what I seek. That type of control is what TSM offers if you only adhere to the golden rule. It's not a quick fix; it's a complete lifestyle change.

I'll be honest, I had another night where I didn't take the pill. No excuse, though I'm not looking to be verbally reprimanded. I understand that if you don't follow the golden rule, it is not TSM. I need to continue to remind myself of what I am seeking. Took it tonight, and will take it tomorrow.

Wow Chris, I think you are doing fabulously well. You are right in the thick of this battle to get your life back under control. Alcohol IS a bitch; it wants to control you. It is a miracle we have the Sinclair Method to level the playing field. The odds have never been more in your favor. Here's to a great 2016.

Chris -

If you drink without taking the pill, it runs the process backwards at double-speed. Remember "selective extinction"? You can use that to swap out to a different endorphin-releasing activity as your receptors will be extra sensitive for a period after the Nal wears off. If (for instance) you last take the Nal on Friday evening, Sunday afternoon would be the optimal day for a replacement activity. OTOH, if you drink during that time without the Nal, you're strengthening the very habit you want to get rid of.

This would be a good time to bring in mindfulness and really notice what's driving you, because it's a pitfall that does show up. You're not the only one. Don't resist it, notice it so you can become emotionally familiar with it and will be able to see it coming down the road. There's some sort of anxiety/stress involved and if you don't bring your conscious mind into the mix to observe and comment on what you're feeling, then it gets tossed over to the unconscious part of your brain and that's where your automatic drinking habits are stored.

That being said, you're doing well and you'll get the upper hand on this too. Nal on, Chris!

Thanks for the support, friends. Last night I was pretty down on myself but I took the nal and couldn't even finish a second glass of wine. I'm very lucky that I take to it so well; now it's about being mindful of my true intentions and remaining focused on them.

I appreciate your words of encouragement very much. Now, off to the gym!

keep it up, pbliss! not finishing the second glass is HUGE. sounds like you're getting there....

Just wanted to chime in with my tuppence worth Chris - I am SO happy that the nal is working for you the way it is - the only thing I can stress - is PLEASE always take the nal - it worries me when I keep reading of your saying you are tempted to drink without it - it will set you back so much - like others who had the nal work for them, then after a year or two or three, decided they were doing so well, they could drink without it - and 6 months later were back at square one. Nal is FOR LIFE! And every time you drink! I hate to see you undo the great work that you have achieved so far! Well done!

Hugs, Maggie