Thanks! I'm headed out for a week-long cruise this weekend -- should be interesting to see if the unreal environment results in a (short-term) reversal of fortune. If I can continue to drink at moderate levels under such non-stop "party" conditions, I'll consider it a major TSM triumph! On the other hand -- if I don't -- I'm going to cut myself a bit of slack. I'll post my next progress report around July 7th.

I AM SO JEALOUS!!! Maybe we can plan a Sinclair Message Board cruise sometime late this year, or early next? Would that be cool, or what?

I inadvertently posted this under a separate topic (Cruise Log) last week, and am putting it back where it belongs under my Weekly Progress thread.
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I'm back from my memorable Alaskan cruise. From a drinking standpoint, I did OK on the trip -- although I did drink a little too much on my birthday (4 beers -- but danced those calories right off!). I also drank way too much on the 4th of July -- but have to admit that I had a great time. We docked in Victoria, Canada that evening, so I took part in a pub crawl excursion which was definitely a highlight of the trip (coming in second only to the Mendenhall heliocoptor glacier tour)! I wound up drinking almost 6 beers over a three hour period, which is more than I have on any single day since I started TSM. Although I had no hangover, the next morning I woke up way to early (before dawn), so was dragging all day due to lack of sleep. I couldn't even look at a beer for two more days (I guess two AF days following what now constitutes a binge is the good news ). Anyway, I'm back home and back to normal, so I'm just going to chalk the 4th of July Canadian 6-pack to a really good time! That being said, an odd interaction with my 12-year old occurred when I returned to the ship on July 4th, and it really surprised me. She asked me if I was drunk, and I told her no -- just feeling really happy. She said "that's too bad -- 'cause you were really funny the last time you were really drunk". Hmmm... if that isn't an enabling comment, I don't know what is. Anyway, I told her she wouldn't ever see me that "funny" again!

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key= ... utput=html

At the 4 month mark now. No change from last week -- 1 AF day, 14 beers total, no identifiable cravings, all drinking in conjunction with dining (I honestly don't think I'll ever not want to have a beer with dinner), and at no time did I consume more than 3 beers in a single evening. This is my typical drinking pattern now, and the only thing I hope for in the future is a natural reduction to an average of 12 (or fewer) drinks each week. I figure I'll hit that milestone within the next two months.

The fact that TSM is working for me in mysterious and wonderful ways was evidenced tonight when I went bowling with some friends (the first time since starting the program). I happily discovered my previously ingrained drinking trigger and habit of bowling and beer-drinking has completely disappeared --even though I hadn't had a single, similar "extinguishing" session during the last 4 months. I ordered a glass of beer out of habit, which pre-TSM would have resulted in greedily drinking at least 4 more, so was truly amazed when I couldn't finish that single glass over the course of two hours! The only negative side effect I noticed from this dramatic reduction in the alcohol/bowl pairing was that my bowling scores were unusually bad (probably 'cause I was too uptight throwing the ball). That's definitely a trade-off I can handle, even if it means nobody wants me on their team!

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key= ... utput=html

Netty, how great for you! Sounds like the cure is right around the corner. I would be very happy with your numbers and the way that you feel about Al right now! Congrads!

Congratulations! Although the definition of "cured" is subjective, my definition is "no identifiable cravings" and drinking within safe limits. Under my definition, you are cured! BTW, you would appear to be the poster child for TSM success reflected in the studies: closer to 35 units per week and cured after four to five months, just like the study subjects.

Sorry about the poor bowling scores Netty - maybe you should start graphing those so we can see if they start going back up as you continue bowling under the Nal influence ("BUNI")

So very, very excited about your continued progress. Your graph is classic - no spikes, no yo-yo-ing. It really makes me think a portion of the magic in your specific case is attitude and perserverance. I know you set goals for yourself at the beginning and while much effort may not have been exerted, you achieved them. You wanted an AF day, I think everyone here probably told you it was too soon, and you did it anyway . Good for you. We should all think about our goals on this program and keep trying. It does not appear to interrupt progress to push your control a bit.


I have absolutley no complaints about my own progress, although my approach was different. I know I consciously did not try at all for 4 months. Just started recently and it's a new learning experience...I am teaching myself that I do not need to drink every night. I can push the control factor a bit at this point and the results are AF days and a further decrease in cravings. They seem to go hand in hand at this point. The more I don't drink now, the more I find my thoughts about alcohol changing to something that I do not view as high on my list of rewards. Now, a hot soak in the tub and some herbal tea are huge rewards for me these days (and they help me sleep better). I sound like an old woman but at least I am a sober old woman on those nights .

Anyway - just wanted to point out some highlights of your unique progress and to again say Congratulations !!

[EDIT: I just noticed I have 4 smiley's in this post - that's a first for me. I really am excited about your progress and obvsiously in good spirits after a low AL week ..that's five.]

H4O, WTE, Nick & LeBear -- thanks for taking the time to post such mood-enhancing messages to my progress thread! I didn't expect my little bad-bowling blurb would result in such a great turn-out! And Happy -- congratulations are in order for you as you complete an absurdly low-alcohol week in conjunction with a delighted mood! You're awesome and totally deserve five smileys !

Ugh. What a week. My 15-year old daughter's 18-year old internet boyfriend (their relationship developed via Skype and World of Warcraft over the past two years), showed up here with his mother (aka, grandmother -- 'cause real mom abandoned him) for a nine-day visit so the virtual teenage lovebirds could meet in person. I'd hoped the two horny teens would discover they weren't actually attracted to each other, but that didn't happen. Instead, they're head over heals in love and acting like cats in heat! YUK! Although the young man is very nice (and very attractive), his racist, uneducated, white-trashy mother is truly insufferable -- and I was forced to socialize with her every evening after work in order to monitor the teens' behavior. Needless to say, every night was a major drinking trigger -- I hated dealing with her and the situation with her son (e.g, the looming possibility of statutory rape) so had a hell of a time not drinking myself into oblivion. In fact, I only had one bad (as in 6 beer night) during the entire week, which pushed my week-long stats up to 15.5 units. Oh well -- grandma and son flew back to Tennessee today, leaving me alone to contemplate the potential horror of my 15-year old daughter hooking up prematurely with an 18-year old guy 'cause neither of them have ever had a physical relationship, and are both mistaking lust for love. Sh**. At least I have the solace of full-time work to retreat to ... my poor retired husband had to endure these uninvited guests almost 24/7 -- and he doesn't drink at all!

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key= ... utput=html

Wow, what a story. On the positive front, holding yourself to six beers while watching your daughter potentially "hook up" for the first time with an 18 year-old from out-of-state -- together with the forced company of his racist grandmother -- sounds absolutely excruciating. But you survived it thanks to TSM.

In my state, an 18 year-old having sex with a 15 year-old IS statutory rape. I don't make the rules but they treat this no differently than a complete stranger mugging someone in the back alley and forcing intercourse. So you really need to look into this, it is not a joke. If your daughter cares about this guy, she will simply not have sex with him or he will be facing the very real possibility of going to prison for a significant period of time, which, safe to say, would ruin both of them.