I still drink way too much and am not cured, but if you had told me back in May when I started TSM where I'd be right now, I would have considered this an unqualified success.

As a binge drinker, before TSM, my life was like this: I drank a TON Thursday through Saturday, wiping out at least every Sunday with a hangover. I had the "alcohol blues" for days and usually wouldn't start drinking again until Wednesday or Thursday. But those AF days were unproductive, lazy, depressed days where I was a walking shell of myself, functioning at 50% capacity. I had weekly blackouts, forgetting entire conversations on your average Friday and Saturday nights. One of the many reasons I knew I had to do something was when friends told me over and over again, "You don't remember that?" and I would either lie or sheepishly admit that alcohol was killing my brain. Also, while I had gone years and years -- over a decade -- of being the heavy boozer who didn't act drunk, I began sliding in recent years. I gradually became the guy who would slur his words or occasionally stumble; the guy who talked at gatherings way more than he should; the guy who used any excuse to get totally lit up. I also was the guy who after two drinks found it very hard to stop drinking. I could do it, but it involved "white knuckling" and spending the rest of the night thinking, "I could have another drink..."

I am a completely different person under TSM. Last night for example, I had two beers at dinner. I honestly didn't want them but I was with two others who were drinking so I participated. After the two beers I didn't want any more. I came home and even though I have some booze here, the thought of drinking it, rather than tantalizing me, was unappealing. This is HUGE for me. I also now go several days AF and don't even think about drinking. I used to go 3 or 4 days AF, but each and every day obsessed over whether I could have one or two up until bedtime. I also no longer blackout conversations. With one notable exception (a wedding) I have had no blackouts since starting TSM in late May. I also no longer suffer the "alcohol blues" for days at a time. I have still ruined several Sundays with hangovers, but by Monday I feel great. The blues used to last for several days pre-TSM, costing me productivity at work and basically making me feel hopeless and miserable half the time. Since starting TSM I'm positive almost all of the time, except on those hangover Sundays. Also, the number of hangovers I've had since starting TSM is down substantially. And perhaps most importantly, I am a completely different drinker while on naltrexone and all of my closest friends have noted my dramatic improvement. I am far more aware of what's going on; I don't do stupid things (except at weddings); I don't lose control and I know exactly what number drink I'm on; I don't talk too much or say things I'd regret; in short, I'm no longer an embarrassing drunk.

I am looking forward to being cured and KNOW that I'm on my way. Last night when I had two drinks and no interest in any more, it was just one of 100 indicators to me that I'm being cured. Even if I didn't progress from where I am right now, I would consider TSM an unqualified success. It has restored my mood and my productivity. Most importantly, it has restored my dignity. Thanks to everyone here for your stories and inspiration. And a special thanks to Dr. Eskapa and Dr. Sinclair for turning my life completely around. When I'm cured I will make it my mission to spread the word about this incredible method to anyone and everyone who will listen.

That's really great news.

Roy Eskapa

WHEN IS IT GOING TO WORK FOR ME???????????????????????

Houtx,

This will work. Just keep following the forumla.

You do seem to be progression a little slower than most, which may be just want it takes for your your body chemistry. You always have to keep in mind that the results reported by Eskapa are averages, meaning you'll get outliers on both ends of the spectrum (e.g. some that finish much sooner than the norm and some that finish much later).

How about you detail how you are following TSM, including exact time frames between when you take nal and when you drink. Also tell us a little about when and why you drink.

Also, are you taking any other meds or substances?

Q

Houtx, I wrote a bunch of stuff, then threw it out. I don't know know why it seems to be taking so much longer for some of our friends. All I can say is I'm pulling for you. I'm picturing the time when I turn on my computer and read that your switch has been flipped.

Prayers, hugs and good medicine to you.

Fire

This is a topic for its own thread and I'm researching the issue now to get some science behind the theory, but... HoutTX, your drinking level is far more than the 35 per week of the subjects in the studies. Conditioning theory would seem to suggest that extinction will take longer to occur for those who drink more than the subjects of the studies. You have also probably been drinking for a lot longer than the subjects in the studies, which also suggests under conditioning theory that extinction will take longer for you. Also, as Q accurately points out, there were outliers in the study who took far longer than 3 to 4 months to get cured. Lastly, the 3-4 month time frame is a MINIMUM; six months is probably a more accurate predictor and it could be a lot longer for those of us (like you) who have been drinking longer and heavier than the subjects. Keep your chin up, it's far too early to draw any negative conclusions. it will work for you! And we are all rooting for you! After all, anyone who authored the "All the Single Ladies" thread merits special consideration.

Thx for the encouragement. I'm not giving up. I upped my doseage to 75 mgs a couple of weeks ago, and just staying the course w/ fingers crossed.

I am one of those too who have stayed at a straight line without any big success yet, but I will hang in there as long as it takes! I am at week 18 now. I was curious to those out there who are cured and those having success - do you try and cut down, or try and have AF days? For me, I am just going with the flow (of wine that is.. , and I am not actually "trying" to cut back or do AF's. Should I be at this point? Any comments or suggestions are welcome. I wasn't sure if this was the best thread to post, but was reading Houtx comments about being frustrated and was curious if we should be putting more effort into trying to cut back, etc.

Once the tide started to turn for me, I did begin to try to cut back and also have AF days. If it got difficult on any particular day, then I'd make that day a TSM treatment day. There was always tomorrow. And with TSM, tomorrow does come. There started to be days where I consciously drank less and it didn't require a lot of willpower. Starting AF days was more difficult for me initially, but has become normal for me after several weeks. Eventually, individual AF days became consecutive AF days without much effort.

The bottom line is I did try to cut back, but only after it became easy. Now it's gotten to be so easy, it's not even appetizing to me to drink.

Bob

Thanks Bob. I think I will take the approach to start making some effort, but if it is too stressful I will not worry about it and know that the process is continuing whether I may realize it or not. I had hoped I would just naturally cut back my consumption without any effort, but that day may still be out there. For now I want to try and push things along and see if that makes a difference for me.