I've been looking at all your progress charts and everyone seems to have a steady decline in number of units per week since starting TSM. Unfortunately, I have had NO reduction in my drinking thus far. I do find myself craving it less, except for the last few days when I've been on "vacation" visiting my family w/my 4 kids. My parents know I'm on TSM and are supportive but I always feel my consumption is being watched.

Anyway, I know I need to give myself more time for the extinction, just getting frustrated. Sure many of you can relate!!

Thanks.

To be discouraged is quite normal at this stage . All I can say is have faith and keep on going. Don't let it get u down. If I recall correctly I think it was 4 months before I saw changes and that was only the start. Things didn't really change until six months . I was a binge drinker though but I think there are some who are daily who are seeing progress only then as well. Just hang in there. Wishing you the best.

I appreciate all the counsel to be patient. It's hard to be patient once you've made the decision to change things. It's particularly weird to decide to drink less and then have to dedicate yourself to drinking in order to achieve the goal!

So... I have my calendar set to wake me in December and see if anything is different. Meantime ... my glass is empty

Sorry I know my answer is lame but I don't know what else to say. A lifetime of addiction is something that can't be solved easily. I wish it was just as much as anyone. I am still struggling tho not as much , many months later.

Speaking for myself, I don't consider it lame at all. I work in parts of my life with animal training and it drives me crazy how some people expect instant results, as if changing a behavior were as simple as knowing a fact. Many behaviors are not intellectual concepts, they are habits. A similar example from another discipline: juggling. The concept is simple -- but developing the muscle memory can be a matter of thousands of repetitions. We're working with some deeply programmed behavior and it totally makes sense to me that patience and persistence will be both necessary and rewarded.

Also, potatoes are awesome. 'nuff said.

I don't think this is entirely true. Most of us have a drop right after starting, then kind of level off for quite some time before dropping again. Look at my numbers. I was mostly in the 30s from week 4 through week 17. My significant gains have only come in the last 3-4 weeks. Prior to this, I was still mostly drinking like I was before starting TSM. My numbers may not have been as high, but my habits and craving where almost identical to what they were before starting.

Don't get discouraged. This method works, you just need to be patient. The ONLY way it won't work is if you quit.

Q

H4B ~ Actually, I think the 12 week mark is typically one of the worst weeks for many of us, so take heart!

It's a roller coaster and not many people have immediate success which can be very, very discouraging, especially at the point you are at now.

Q's experience is pretty normal as far as progress - so look back at his progress thread. It's very encouraging for those at the point you are at now.

I think you and I have very similar patterns if I recall - I drank 3-4 glasses of wine every night, more on weekends. For some reason I had an immediate drop and then it went back up, then down, then up. Everyone goes through something slightly different...I'm at a really good point now but I'm on week 21 and it took a while to get here. I agree, it's strange to drink every night in order to get better and that feeds the frustration, but you are extinguishing so it will kick in eventually.

Keep going, keep taking your Nal and post your frustrations here as much as you need to. Start posting your weekly progress and note any subtle changes you notice - that's what helps many of us.

~H4O

The light switch frequently hits suddenly and for all we know, you could be the next one hearing "click." Meantime, the rollercoaster continues, it sucks, but we root for you.

I also am at week 12 and am wondering how well it's working. Looking at my numbers, they don't seem to be going down. I have not had any out-of-control moments since I started and I think that's positive. My numbers go up on weeks when I go to the beach for 5 day weekends. Therein has always lay the problem....vacations/long weekends. Still, even then I think I'm drinking slightly less.

I have had a rather chaotic couple of months. Not really my own problems...but chaos swirling around me. That always makes me reach for the vodka. I like calm but life right now doesn't seem to have that in the cards for me. August should be a bit better. It'll be interesting to see if I can dial by the drinking then.

I'm at the 3 month stage and need a refill on the NAL so must justify it to my doctor. I will probably tweak my numbers a bit for him.

I also worry about my liver. My enzymes were borderline when I started the NAL. I'll have to have blood tests next month. Hope they don't go up. I'm taking milk thistle. I tried the Sam-E but when I got up to one tab a day, I starting feeling anxious and edgy. I think I'll go back down to half a tab every other day for a while.

Hi h4b,

Although I've never produced a chart/graph regarding my TSM journey (what would be the point?), I've certainly not seen a steady decline in the number of units consumed per week since starting TSM. Indeed, I had to wait until week 17 to witness the first sign of reduction. But, I haven't lost hope. Indeed, based on bob3d's progress, I am encouraged and have no desire to quit.

I am used to things taking a long time to address; I have been in therapy on and off for the last thirty years in an attempt to sort out my anxiety disorders. I have been told that "you won't get cured overnight" more times than I care to mention. So I'm well-prepared for the TSM long haul. That's not to say that I don't understand your frustration - I most certainly do.

All the best!

V.