I probably have no room to complain as I'm only on week 14, except for the fact that my husband keeps wanting to see "progress." He hasn't said anything to me lately -- this request came several weeks ago -- but I'm frustrated that I can't see any progress myself!

When I initially read Eskapa's book, I thought 12 weeks/3 months would be the turning point. I kept telling myself (and my husband) to just wait until then. Now I realize it may take a lot longer.

My consumption has pretty much stayed the same since I started. It might be down a little, but I am still drinking more than I'd like.

Do I hide my drinking, as I always have, until I see "progress" and can qualify it? I realize this is often a slow process....I am patient but I think he's ready to throw me into AA!

Not sure what to do and I know no one can answer that question for me. Like many here, I worry that I will be among the 5-10% of whom TSM won't work.

And I do take my nal every day, at least an hour before drinking.

Just venting. Thanks. I am so happy to read of others' success. Keeps me motivated!!!

Sorry to sound like a broken record BUT, Eskapa's book says 3-4 months MINIMUM before TSM will work and this is for people who consume "only" 35 drinks per week and there were outliers in those studies who took far longer than that. And it will take far longer for those with bigger habits and for those who have been drinking longer. Please have your hubby read the success stories on this board if he is a non-believer! AA has a putrid "success rate" of 5%, i,e., people who remain addicted but don't drink, whereas we are seeing people CURED here on a daily basis! Please do not even consider stopping this amazing treatment for several more months! It works! Chin up, we are rooting for you!!

Nick

I agree with Nick. The book can be a little mis-leading when it comes to timelines. Most of us here who are in the 50+ units/week consumption range aren't seeing a turning point until about 18weeks out. You are probably a month out, at least. It could even take longer. It's really hard to say.

Try showing your husband some of the results from this site and the timelines behind them. This will work, you just have to give it the time it needs to work.

All of us thought we were one of the 5% at one point or another. My understanding is that most of those who were in the group that didn't see a cure, weren't cured because they quit taking Nal. We've had a few people come on these boards that did the same thing. Does this mean TSM didn't work? No, it just means they quit before TSM had a chance to work.

Q

At week 14 I had been up and down with this program, and I was about to head into a major spike that could have discouraged me had I not been looking at the big picture. But the big picture is what this program is all about. At all times you have to be looking at what is coming at the 4, 6, or even 8 month mark. Sometimes you just have to follow the Golden Rule and try not to think about it too much.

I know that is a lot easier said than done when there is someone else watching with a doubtful eye, and your just don't seem to have any evidence that you are getting anywhere. My GF is an ex-AA'er who has looked upon this whole thing as an excuse for me to keep drinking. She quit drinking 5 years ago cold turkey, but she's still an addict as far as I'm concerned. But her tune is changing as I am approaching my goal.

This is your life, and you are on the right path. You can't let anyone else turn you away from something that is going to save your life, based on their lack of understanding and societal misconceptions. I don't mean to be hard on your husband here, but he has no way of believing that this thing is going to work, given the way our society views alcohol addiction.

TSM takes time to work, and you need to insist on being given that time - for you, for him, for everything you have to gain once you have broken the chains of addiction. Don't let yourself be pushed around on this one: it's just too important.

Like Q says, maybe if your husband were to see some of the success that is going on around here it would help him to understand that patience is of the utmost importance right now. Also as Q points out, we have all wondered if we were part of that group for whom TSM doesn't work. If I had believed that about myself at 14 weeks, I would not be seeing the results I am today.

To be honest, I don't believe there is anyone this won't work for given the proper chance. There are just so many ways to get sidetracked and discouraged, and the beast is just waiting to jump at any of them. He's a tricky one, and he will jump at the chance to use your doubts to his advantage. Don't let him win. Stand firm, even if you don't see the evidence right now, because in the end you will come out victorious.

In the last month we have seen one person after another declare victory, and if you stick with it, I'll bet we see you joining their ranks.

You guys rock! I am very committed to this and encouraged by your success stories! I'm not going to stop the nal no matter what. If pressed, I will try to show hubby our forum....I hope he can hang in there with me. I was just having a moment of doubt last night, as we've all had. I didn't know that the 5-10% whom TSM didn't work for were not taking their nal. That's quite encouraging. So nice to get support here, I just needed to be set straight again. Thanks so much!!!

Hanging in here w/ ya, girl!! Fingers crossed

I totally get how you are feeling!!! I am following everything...however there are times when I am feeling sompletely discouraged, and when I have my husband in the mix....well, I feel that much worse. I feel like he thinks I am not doing well, only because I am feeling that way.....he has never said a single word though.

I have no words of wisdom.....I just want you to know, I feel the same feelings!

Look, It will work I believe for most people who follow the instructions. If a person has a hard time following it well, I cannot help them. The thing with it is you have to follow the rule no matter what. Husband, kids whatever. I will say it for what feels like the thousandth time, take pill one hour before you drink and your life will change. Mine has. I am able to do things I would have never done. I am not a bingey drunk anymore. I am basically a drinker like most of the people around me and I actually drank less than a person who was at my house tonight. Someone had to drive him home and he wasn't very drunk. Just too drunk to drive. If it is not working for you then I do not know what to say to that. Just keep following the rule maybe it will take you longer. It took me a long time. Cheers.

For me the battle is still the battle . I did a bit of messing around. now I am back on track but I did fall off the Nal wagon once
I did.