Joe, I was on another site and found you talking about Nal and all the information was interesting. I see you like to help, what do you suggest I do, am I one of those 20 percent that this doesn't work for. Do you have another avenue that you would suggest. I haven't seen any change and I really never did.

I don't think you're a loser at all, Meggie. This doesn't have anything to do with "wanting it". It seems like Nal isn't helping you find the reduction you want and you may well be one of the 20%. That's not to say it won't eventually, but I have no idea what the timeline for you would be.

From what I understand, some become addicted to alcohol via GABA pathways rather than opioid pathways. IF this is true for you, then Naltrexone isn't likely to do you much good. I would suggest you get ahold of an addiction psychiatrist that knows neurochemistry and knows how to match you up with the right medication for your circumstance. Dr. Kloda might be one such person, but it seems you might need to make a pilgrimage to NYC for at least the initial visit. The fact that you've been on TSM for so long without it making much of a dent in your drinking will be important diagnostic information for the doctor. That you associate drinking with a place will probably be important info too (I recall you saying you don't drink or don't drink as much when you're out).

If you don't get on the phone, does it make any difference in how much you drink?

Beyond that, I know some have had luck with Kudzu, so that might be worth a shot since it's an over the counter herb.

Well, talk to me and tell me what you think about this. One way or the other, you'll get this under your thumb, Meggie. Of that, I'm sure.

No, I still drink even when I don't get on the phone. It is a form of relaxation. I don't drink when I go out at all. I assume it is a habit thing. I go to bars after work, rarely, and I drink a soda or water. I do have Kudzu in my vitamins. Maybe I should up that amount.

Sounds like once you get started, you have a difficult time stopping until you reach a certain endpoint.

Have you tried having just one or two while you're out, or do you know that to be fairly impossible?

Well, I tell everyone that I can't drink because I am on seizure medication. I haven't had a drink outside of the home in about 5 years. I can do it fine, but I haven't been away from home. I have now pushed the hour I drink to 8 instead of 7. I do find myself looking at the clock, waiting for the new witching hour. Maybe I should push it five minutes more a night.

That's part of how I did it, Meggie. Just looking for that "soft spots" in the habit that gives way if you push on it a bit. Delaying your start time is a great idea.

Another technique I used was to only take a sip of my beer, then I put it back in the refrigerator. I'd get to some task or look up something on the internet and wouldn't take another sip for 15 minutes. It wasn't long till I forgot the 15 minutes were up and it had actually been half an hour.

delaying your "start time" can be huge. some of my biggest breakthroughs came from drinking later in the day/night.....

Zontar, you dropped fast in the first 3 months. I have never really dropped a lot . But it is nice to see that you are on month 16 and still plugging along. I am on month 15 as of yesterday. Do you still take the Nal?

Sad, I worry about my country. I am a teacher and have children from different countries. They came in today and said they were scared, what would he do to them. They are legal, and they know it, the black children are worried. Three forth of my class said they were moving to Canada. I laughed and said,no, they were not leaving me.
It is a sad day to be a teacher and to explain that behavior that is not accepted in my classroom is accepted in the White House.

Good thing, I didn't drink much last night. I threw up.

Ugh!

Yes, we "live in interesting time" it seems.

This is what happens when you let people stay idle, unemployed/underemployed. The nutjob candidates start coming out of the woodwork and people become desperate for a solution. It's what brought Hitler to power.