I do not understand why you removed your numbers off your signature.
Those numbers are like statistics ... just because statistics tell you, you have 2.59 kids - would you split up your 3rd kid with a chain saw?

I have absolutely no doubt that you will get there!

Your head is right -- this will work for you. Props to you for being so helpful to others, always offering the best advice and always offering encouragement, while your own numbers remain frustratingly not where you want them to be. You'll get there. If not, I'll reach through the internet and drag you to the finish line. I'm totally rooting for you!

Do it your way Lena. Which ever way makes you feel better about things that is totally up to you. I support you 100%. I don't do numbers because there is no point in it for me. I am a binger so numbers mean nothing. On days I don't drink if I sit around thinking about it and worrying then I might as well be drinking because that is no victory. Anyone who is a daily drinker should bear in mind that bingers are just as tourtured. The only difference is their bodies have a totally different system going on. It is a camel-like thing but it is no picnic. So I just wanted to say best of success and keep on going dear. Your way is the only way it wil work for you.

You will get there, Lena - take the numbers out until they tell the story you want others to see. I took mine out for awhile until they showed spikes both up and down.

Someone very wise on this board posted something about the beauty of this treatment is that success does not happen because one individual is trying harder or 'doing the method' better than another - it's very simple: you take the medicine an hour before you drink and it all works behind the scenes. The only thing special we add to the mix is patience. I thought that was an extremely important point that we gloss over too often here...

Keep plowing ahead - your numbers will go down, and your AFs will appear before you know it. I went through several weeks of internal battle before my AFs came 'naturally'. Sounds like you are at the beginning of that path so they will logically come without much effort fairly soon.

Good luck!

Lena,

The time you were on the pain meds most definitely had an impact on your treatment. As you know, I spent a few weeks on them myself right in the middle of my treatment. I was making really good progress before going on the pain meds. After I stopped the pain meds and returned to TSM, my craving shot way up to 9 or 10. I've often wondered if those opiate pain meds somehow messed with the extinction that was going on under TSM.

As both Bob and I have mentioned in other threads, when the big drop in craving comes, it comes fairly quickly. SpringerRider made a similar statement to me at one point.

Your corner is coming soon.

Q

Lena, my sentiments entirely. I guess I post to keep myself aware of my patterns, but I hate it. Someone here whose numbers are lower did point out how high mine are. This was all well meaning, but I really didn't like it, lol. I guess it is what it is and you need to do what is best for you. I still think of the benzo's........
I have had a lousy week and I am not sure why. Haven't posted it yet but will for the record. Not even sure it is correct because I did forget to count at times.

I need to amend my previous reply. I had no intention to imply that binge drinkers have it any easier than daily drinkers. It is a different drinking style, certainly no easier than daily drinking. I was only making the observation that one AF day for a daily drinker is a major accomplishment. In many ways, I think the binge drinkers have it harder since they are used to AF days that punctuate the binges.

Bob

Bob, as a binge drinker I didn't take your comments to mean we have it any better. LaBear, I think I mentioned your numbers once and totally didn't mean to make you feel bad about it -- sorry! And yes, someone very wise here (Lena) did say that success under TSM isn't about effort or merit but just taking the nal one hour before drinking, not over-thinking it and having patience. Also, I should have said this before and I know you agree Lena, but the decision to post or not post numbers should be entirely left up to the individual -- if it makes you feel bad for even one second you are absolutely correct in chopping it.

Interesting topic, bingers versus daily drinkers. Each has their unique drawbacks. As a binger coming off a big weekend, I can say that after two days of hitting the bottle hard, on the following Sunday I feel unbearable for 24 hours, as if each passing second is a lifetime, sort of like when you suffer extreme pain with a migraine or toothache. I sometimes wish I just had ten-a-day habit over a longer period of time because the next day I don't feel like killing myself. On the other hand, my body regularly goes three or four days without the poison in my system (the camel effect, nice one, Potato) and I can't imagine my life without this regular cleansing.

Bottom line, we all have it shitty. Let's beat this thing together.

LOL, thank you Nick, boy you sure do have a good memory. I am overly sensitive to my numbers and it has nothing to do with you. When I first started tsm here it was mentioned over and over to be sure to count our units otherwise we were not doing the Sinclair Method! I have always hated that part but realize that
I can't hide from it either so for now, I will continue to post them. Last week was just not good period, can't even say why. Today so far is AF and I hope I can get a few in this week. Lena sorry for stealing your thread.

Lena, I'm so glad you're hanging in here with us. The stories all of us are sharing here are going to resonate with different people - perhaps for years to come - and encourage them on their journey toward sober living. When you decided to stop posting your numbers, I did the same. I was getting too hung up on the day-to-day figures, and not seeing the forest for the trees. Weeks when my numbers went sky high were a discouragement, and if I had a low consumption week I got a little too confident - only to be more disappointed when the numbers shot up again. So I followed your example and deleted that damned signature line!

I think there's definitely something to the theory that taking opiate pain killers can set our progress back a ways. A good friend's husband has been an abstaining alcoholic for a couple of years now - and except for a short 6 month relapse, hadn't been drinking for over 5 years, altogether. He had knee replacement surgery, was sent home of heavy opiate pain meds. . .and immediately not only fell off the wagon, but also got back into compulsive gambling and over-spending. I sent my friend home with my copy of Dr. E's book. She works in the health care industry, so was very intrigued. Hope something works, as she's on the verge of having no choice but to divorce because he's running them into bankruptcy (again).

W2E, maybe you better stick to 'safe' sports till you get this monkey beat to death!