WTE - just reading this now. I know you don't want pity, but I'm so incredibly sad to hear about your cat. Please don't say you 'killed him' - I don't know any other humane answer to an animal obviously in need of a smart decision being made on their behalf. Sometimes you have to make those tough decisions and it sounds like this was the least selfish thing you could do. Your getting through this without your friend and without turning to the bottle is a major, major achievement.

You are one of those people on the board that is without fail **there** for everyone, so saying an extra prayer for you tonight that your good reward hurries up and makes it your way soon. You definitely deserve it

Waiting, I just caught up on your situation and have to give you my sympathies for the loss of your pet. I also, like you have no kids and a cat I have had for ten years who is so well trained and behaved I would cry for a very long time if I lost her. So 17 years is even longer. I also relate to your feeling like some friends are dropping away. I have felt that also and because of TSM I feel like I am in a " no woman's land " with things. The friends I hung around with who partied are drinking too much and I don't want to put up with that and the other girlfriends I have are all raising teenagers and are too busy for me. I am also prone to having a pity party now and then for the lack direction and support I feel. So I have to tell you I am encouraged by your "pull up the bra straps attitude" and it helps me to hear that from you. Thanks! I congratulate you for your progress with the method and with sympathy, admiration and care, I wish you the best. Thinking about you. Tater.

WTE, great that you are truely seeing progress with TSM. As you said you used zero control which would indicate that it's working! Sorry for all your troubles. Again, my thoughts are with you.

Hey WTE,

You're doing fine. That doubt is the worst weapon the beast has - don't EVER listen to it! Smack the beast over the head with a bottle of wine and tell it to get the hell out! But of coarse, use an EMPTY bottle...

WTE - it's a roller coaster, remember that. And - It's working. It's working.

Yes - keep it on auto-pilot and don't plan much at this point. It's just too discouraging. When you are ready to try and plan, you will know it - it feels like 'I really don't have cravings...should I drink? Oh, yeah. I have to drink..that's what I do!' Then a few days or weeks later it will be more like, 'You know...I really want to just not drink. Will it affect my progress if I don't? I don't care because I'm just not going to drink..I don't want to.". That's the best way I can describe it - it's a slight shift but it will come for you - hang in there.

You sound GREAT, GF!! What about these "dates"??

I have been on 75 mgs for a week now & still no significant changes. Just going thru the drill. All else is well. Exhausted after being outside all day & doing it again tomorrow...check ya later, chica. Glad to hear alls well!

Hi WTE
A tough week you had it looks like , but your reactions where drink were concerned are looking very positive . That's were the progress really hits , the units are secondary but related , so it's always nice to see them dropping too . Great stuff .
I liked what you were saying on the extinguishing thread of Virgil , - I'll buy it .
Do pop over to my ( Abstinence's edge) one , Id be interested to see what you think there .
Have a good week .

This sounds like a lot of improvement to me. Fantastic. I'm sending you two snaps.

Wow, my internet has been down 90% of the time since a lightning strike here two+ weeks ago - but I still don't know how I managed to miss this thread when I was able to pop on from time to time. Please accept my belated condolences on the loss of your cat. Our lives are centered on animals, so I understand how devastating your experience had to be.

Your reports on diminished craving/consumption are awesome though! I am so very happy for you. I understand exactly what you mean when you describe spending less time with your heavy drinking friends and not enjoying the craziness any longer. I'm there, as well. Though Jake and I are still drinking rather heavily, it's nothing like it used to be. . .will update in my own progress report, if my 'puter stays online a bit longer.

Congratulations on your progress!

WTE, I agree that my numbers are up on the days that I do drink and it does vary. Good that you have only had two hangovers too! Wish I could say that. I really think that the benzo's contribute to the way alcohol affects me with hangovers and not realizing til it's too late that I have had more than I can handle. Today seems to be a day I would like to drink but I also want another AF day so it's a catch 22! Your numbers are declining in spite of getting back into the dating scene too.