Hello everyone! I am so thankful I found this forum so that I can communicate with others who are using this method. I started drinking heavily at 17 and remained that way for 10 years. My life was totally out of control and I was suicidal and in and out of jail/terrible relationships. I then met my amazing husband (6years ago)and we were married and had kids shortly after. Abstaining from alcohol was so much easier, but I would still have the occasional (1x a year or so) relapse which made me feel so guilty because I have a family now and when I drink I get mean and kinda crazy because I drink such a huge amount. I just drink as much alcohol as fast as I can until I pass out(rarely would happen) or I ran out. So, it's been 15 months since my last relapse and I'm getting cravings again. I know I'll drink! I found this information online and decided to give it a go. I ordered my meds and they should be here in 2-3 weeks. We plan to be very careful about it. Only have a certain amount of alcohol In the house and hide car keys until we are sure everything goes smoothly. I really want to get this problem gone for good. I'm tired of it lurking behind me ready to pounce everywhere I go. I'll let everyone know how it goes. Wish me luck!

Hi Krystal,

Wishing you the very best of luck! You've gained so many skills through long stretches of abstinence. In that way, you're starting way ahead of some people. I also had long stretches of abstinence and was quite a binge drinker. But I did find that all that experience with identifying as a non-drinker, and having all those strategies helped. Its also so great that you have the support of your family.

Right on. Congratulations for taking this step!

Welcome, Krystal. Jeez, I had posted here a day or so ago, but the server needed to be reset. Evidently it didn't got through. I think you'll benefit from checking out my experience coming to this abstinent:

http://optionssavelives.freeforums.net/thread/190/alcoholic-anonymous-member-seeking-feedback

Let us know anyway we can help.

Thanks tdhd and Bardo! I appreciate the welcome. Congratulations on all your progress with TSM. It is very exciting that a treatment like this is available. I hope information about TSM is made more readily available to all the alcoholics suffering with this horrible disease. I wish I had found out about it years ago as it could have saved my wonderful fathers life. Alcoholism sucks! I will be doing as much as I can to spread the word and help people realize there may be a solution for them. Finally, a light at the end of the tunnel!

Welcome, Krystal!! Glad to hear your meds are on the way!

If you ordered 30 pills, then you might want to re-order after you've confirmed that you get along ok with the Nal. Start off slowly though, there are some startup suggestions here that you'll probably want to peruse. Resist the urge to pop a whole pill when you start, use 25mg for the first few days, on top of at least a small meal, followed by plenty of water throughout the evening. Side effects are not uncommon, but they should pass within 3 days to 2 weeks. When you feel like the side effects are manageable, increase the dose to a full pill. It would be best if you could plan to be home the next day or two after your first dose, just in case the side effects are inconvenient.

http://optionssavelives.freeforums.net/ ... hints-tips

Logging your drinks is a very helpful move and here's a great tool to do it with:

http://optionssavelives.freeforums.net/ ... graph-tool

Alcodroid is a good tool too, look them over and see which one you like best.

Please let us know if you run into any problems, we look forward to hearing about your first experience with TSM!

Hi Krystal. I'm a newbie too, with different circumstances, but alcohol issues nonetheless. I am following the Sinclair Method and started just 2 weeks ago. I haven't noticed much of a difference yet but from everything I've read it can take a few months to turn that corner. Holding good thoughts for you!