Hi drink2much,

I am basically a newbie, but I could feel your pain through cyberspace and felt compelled to respond, so atleast you knew someone was there with you.

After reading your post....my suggestion would be to track back to when you believe things were ok...compare what is different now than then... ie...were you taking ambien when things were "ok"? Any other supplements you added, or have taken out of your diet? Any new medications?

I seriously doubt it would be from your excersize routine. It could be somthing very simple. But please dont dispair Im sure some of the vets on the board can help to come up with some good suggestions and insight.

Sincerely,

hapful

I feel your pain too and all I can say is that I'm sorry and that I hope this feeling of hopelessness passes. It will pass for you, you'll just have to ride it out. I'm not sure a doctor/psychiatrist with years of experience could answer all of these questions so I'm no where near qualified to even speculate about what's going on. I can say that after reviewing your profile you are only at the three-month mark and TSM takes a lot longer than that to work. Remember, if you drink more than 35 per week and have been drinking a long time, six months minimum is a more realistic time frame which means you are at the half way mark of your treatment, at the earliest. Also, remember that a lot of people see little impact from TSM and then all of a sudden a "light clicks" and they see huge progress out of the blue. This could happen to you tomorrow, you just don't know. Also, there is a lot of personal evidence that TSM is working for you: your reduced cravings from before, your increased control and clarity while drinking, your reduced obsession with alcohol, etc., etc. All of these facts are indicators that naltrexone is working for you on some level. It's still WAY too early for you to even think it might not work for you -- in fact, all of these indicators show that it will work for you. I know it sucks but just keep taking the nal one hour before drinking. TSM is a roller coaster ride and you are on it -- unfortunately, you just hit the valley of the ride. Try to keep your chin up. We are all rooting for you here!

My best wishes always,

Nick

D2M, make no mistake TSM works. You didn't become addicted to AL overnight nor will you become de-addicted overnight. TSM takes time and it isn't always easy. Many of us have doubted TSM and gotten really down on ourselves. This is completely normal. It is also normal to make gains with this method at one point in the treatment and then completely backslide later in the treatment.

The only way TSM won't work is if you quit.

You have really just started D2M. Give this method the time that it takes to work (4-6 mons).

Q

D2M,

Like others, I feel your pain.

I want to say at the outset that I am NOT medically qualified. Occasionally, I take Zopiclone, which is in a class of drugs known as the Z-drugs. According to http://www.drugs.com/ambien.html, the generic name for ambien is zolpidem. Now, turning to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z-drug, zolpidem is also a Z-drug. According to http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Benzodi ... -Drugs.htm:

"Drugs called zaleplon, zolpidem, and zopiclone are commonly called the 'Z' drugs. Strictly speaking, Z drugs are not benzodiazepines but are another class of drug. However, they act in a similar way to benzodiazepines. (They have a similar effect on the brain cells as benzodiazepines.) Z drugs have similar long-term usage problems as benzodiazapines".

So, the point is that Z-drugs act in a similar way to benzodiazepines and, for this reason, I now try to avoid Zopiclone. As you're obviously aware, Dr Eskapa has made it clear that benzos may hamper progress with The Sinclair Method (TSM).

I would also draw your attention to http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Benzodi ... rm-Use.htm, which makes the following statements:

"If you have been taking a benzodiazepine or Z drug long-term (for more than four weeks) then it can be difficult to stop it because of withdrawal effects. However, this can be overcome by switching whatever drug you are on to an equivalent dose of diazepam. You can then gradually reduce the dose of diazepam at a pace that suits you. This keeps any withdrawal effects to a minimum. The dose reduction is commonly done over several months before coming off diazepam completely". and

"If you have been taking a benzodiazepine or Z drug for over four weeks and want to stop it, it is best to discuss the problem with a doctor".

I asked Dr Eskapa about Z-drugs and he had this to say:

"My guess is is that Zopliclone and Zolpidem are not going to be nearly as
hampering as the heavier GABA acting BDZs (diazepam, alprazolam, etc) ...
and could be used sparingly for sleep - again I am not qualified to
prescribe so please check with your doctor. In brief, I suspect short-term
use will not have a negative effect on the Sinclair Method".

I wish you well.

V.