Hi there,

Yesterday marked my first week on naltrexone, 50mg per day, 1 hour before drinking, no side effects (yay!). Given how to calculate units I calculated that I consume 84 units a week! Mind you, the alcohol content is lightweight (8.5% abv), but certainly not lightweight drinking, as I am very well aware of. No changes yet, but I wasn't expecting much so soon. I started last Tuesday and TWTH were the same, on Friday I drank my one bottle, opened my second and after a few sips from my glass I did say, wow, that's enough and put it away. I usually down 2 bottles each evening. But I had worked 9 hours each day Thurs. & Fri. without a break and just chalked it up to being exhausted. And now I'm pretty much back to being the same, last night went to dinner with a friend and told her I 'needed' to have a glass of wine because after our event I would probably go home and have another glass of wine, so I needed to take my nal and have a glass of wine with dinner. At the event there was wine, but I was a 'good' girl and drank only about a total of 6 oz. and because it was chardonnay (and at dinner too) instant headache, I really can't drink that stuff. But I got home, opened my bottle of riesling and drank the whole darn thing, I was really angry at myself because I was really tired and it was getting on midnight.

So, for my first week I at least drank my 84 units, or close to it, but I'm not giving up. I'm trying to be patient and let the cure occur naturally as best I can and I know it takes months (as I've read here) to really see a difference. I'm still very optimistic.

Oh, I did have a question, and I'm sure it's been answered somewhere on here, but anyway, what if I think I'm going to drink and take the nal, but end up not drinking, I just wasted a pill, is that it? Because last night I knew I didn't have to or need to drink at dinner, and I didn't know about the wine at the event (but I took the nal, so why not, right, but if I hadn't taken the nal 1 hr. prior I wouldn't have) but I was pretty certain since I'd be home by 9:30 - 10:00, I'd want to relax with a little wine. But what if when I got home I decided to just go to bed or have tea instead. Not drinking, having taken a nal doesn't negate anything does it? Or does it?

Thank you!
petal

No worries, there is absolutely no set back by taking naltrexone and not drinking. The naltrexone simply doesn't block the endorphins because there were no endorphins to block. So no worries at all!

My best to you.

Nick

petal, the one thing I would add is that after taking nal and not drinking, you might also want to avoid certain other desired endorphin releasing activities, such as skydiving, jellybean eating, or sex. You wouldn't want to extinct these things

Hi Petal
Thanks for asking the question, I was thinking the same thing too. But I figure that I'm such a long way from having an AF day that I'd wait to find out. I think I read something in the book that said to try to avoid doing that. I'll try to skim the book this weekend and if I find it I'll post it Mon.
Hang in there, I'm new too (3 weeks) so isn't it going to be fun following each others progress?

Hey Petal,

Congratulations on finishing your first week! Strap yourself in - it's a long ride, but we'll all be here to help you along the way. Cheers!

The book does not say that you should avoid taking naltrexone and not drink. The book does say that you should avoid doing positive, endorphin-releasing activities, like exercise and sex, while on naltrexeone because of the theoretical risk that these positive behaviors could be extinguished. I personally have not had that experience and I'm a daily exerciser. But the bottom line is that if you take naltrexone and do not drink, this will in no way, shape or form undo the progress you've already achieved under the method.

Thanks Nick
I wasn't sure what thought I read. This is good news.

Firebird, thanks, if I engaged in those other activities you mentioned, perhaps I would not be where I am! But that whole working thing gets in the way....

and minneapolisnick, didn't know this whole working out thing was going to mess up my life! Since April 4 I've been going to Curves and working out 4 - 5 times a week, I'm stronger, more flexible, and well, mostly I love it, but alas, no diminishing in my drinking habits. But hey, I feel really good about doing something at the very least! I do believe I will soon be falling in love with my arms, they are starting to show muscle definition, I am actually wearing sleeveless tops this summer!

Love you guys!
petal

Hey can't spell,

Yes, it will be great to have a partner who is so close to my starting, it will be great to compare notes and such, since we are such newbies. Let's stay in touch!

petal

Well, today marks week 2 of being on TSM. No changes in my habits, just thinking a whole lot about my habits! I am thinking I am going to have to really focus on being AF for 1 night a week at least (preferabley 2, if I can be strong). Some months ago I changed my brand and level of sweetness (less sweet because of the calories) of my wine, so now it's a tad more expensive. I had 2 weeks off from work this summer (no pay) a few unexpected home repairs (expensive) and my second job at university told me not to come back until 9/14. Last year I went back on 8/25. So more income lost... I used to justify that I never ate out, rarely bought clothes, or went to movies or clubs, it was perfectly fine to spend my money on wine. Well, we all know that was an excuse. But I've noticed I've been using credit cards more to buy my wine, and if I use my debit card I'm 'stealing' money that I have targeted for bills. This actually freaks me out as this hasn't been a problem in the last, I don't know, 6 years or so. I apparently have taken being employed for granted! So, my logical mind says, the wine must go, my feeble mind says, ahh, you'll figure out how to make it work so you'll have your wine. I hate that side of me.

But, I am always a work in progress and that's why I'm here, to progress on the work of quitting drinking! I know it will come, I've read so many wonderful experiences here, I just hope I can experience progress before I go broke!

petal