We are being deceived. I thought of the TSM of this force that made continually think less and less about Al. In actual fact, for me at least, I am thinking more and more about TSM and thus alcohol. TSM has become the reason I now drink daily. I have no great point to make that hasn't been made already; a large majority of us here in this forum are drinking destructively because we think that around the corner is the cure to drinking.

I think its healthier to see it as an aide to sobriety... as if sobriety is the aim and acknowledging that we will drink, and when that happens we will take the pill and wait the appropriate time to drink.

We are chasing nothing substantial here. What? rats won't drink water-alcohol mixtures vs water? I'm pretty sure that given the simple dynamic of a rat and given the fact he doesn't have the capacity to self-medicate in terms of pain, trouble, stress or any of the other emotions we experience means that he will lose the will to drink a narcotic poison.

As for the human subjects. I've checked, its people that are addicted to alcohol; and do not derive any rational benefit from its use. Whereas, for most people, including most on this forum, its used deliberately and not as described by the "rat model".

Summary: In my view, although I wish it weren't true, I think we have been deceived and I think we should discard TSM(with reverence, to an extent) and focus on sobriety. I think the use of Nal will make it easier when we slip--- to the point of cure in some people. My point is that so many are suffering because they think that they are doing good by drinking(inc me). Sorry, but, most Authorities are right: you're not.

wow, zero_nine, what a shift in your thinking! i noticed a post dated oct. 20 saying you thought you were basically cured. i wonder, what changed for you? i hope you are not drinking when you would rather not just to take nal. if you feel this is not a good protocol for you then please do what you need to, abstinence or whatever it is that feels right for you.
wishing you all the best going forward.
path

ps. for me as a daily drinker, i am doing exactly as i would without tsm, except now my units are down a little, and hopefully will drop to lower levels in time. sobriety/abstinence has not felt like an option yet and would not be an option without tsm. i don't see that i am doing myself any harm, and i may well be doing some good.

Hey Zero,

Yeah I'm, curious too with the thinking recently cured post.

I, like PATH am a daily drinker and my units are DEFINITELY down.

Yes, I was pretty smashed two weeks ago (first time in a while), but again, I've been working on my friends recording and with ease I'm able to do 12-14 hour days and then have a few drinks at the end of the night ending with my usual 6-8 units.

I know without NAL I would not have been as reliable and would have probably pissed my friend off.

I do think you are genuine and not a spy or AAer trying to discredit (which some may believe). But I think you need to step back and take teh roller coaster ride. July is not really a long time ESPECIALLY if you are a heavier drinker. I've been here over a year and I stick around to show folks that stamina sometimes is your friend not to give up. I think I'm making progress and intend to continue for another 6 months with the help of my GP or the ALLDAY or RIver. If after 6 months I'm still here at 6-8ville I will just stop. But this I bet, if/when I do stop TSM, quitting drinking will be easier. My best to all but especially you ZERO in this time of doubt and difficulty, Jim

Hey zero_nine,

Sometimes I wonder the same things as you. There was a time when I was almost a daily drinker, but through sheer will power I had managed to turn into a binge drinker that binged around once a month. Now on TSM I've reverted to being a daily drinker and I find my cravings are not down any. But at the same time, I feel like I don't lose as much control now when I drink. I haven't done a single crazy thing yet while drunk on TSM, while pre-TSM I would almost always do something that would get me into trouble when drunk. I haven't seen any real reduction in units yet, but I'm going to stick it out for at least several more months. Good luck to you.

Hey zero-nine, it's disconcerting to read that but you are entitled to both your experiences and opinion. TSM is not a religion like AA but based on science so all data is relevant.

I am sure Eskapa's book was a bit of an over-sell. On the other hand, there is no doubt that TSM is helpful to many people.

Only 8 weeks in I have cut my drinking down about at least 33% with little effort and I seem to have a lot more control over my drinking and feel much more positive and healthy.

This goes back to another thread I started, however, is "pharmacological extinction" really happening? Or does NAL just aid in controlling drinking amounts without any physical changes to the brain?

I wish you the best. I want to believe in TSM at the moment, but whatever you choose don't give up on trying to find a solution for yourself.

Merlot

Guys, sorry about this. I was hammered when I wrote that and angry at the fact I drank etc. I'm shocked it made grammatical sense even. I'm hungover as **** here now, by far the worst I've been since starting TSM. I don't know what to say, one day I'm praising the miracal of TSM the next I'm denigrating it- Its just the rollarcoaster, as you said.

I will delete the original post when you have read this. I actually don't generally believe that, I did last night though.

Sorry guys,

ZN

Totally understood and can relate ZN. No worries at all.

Merlot

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Thanks Merlot for that, I genuinly feel stupid because I definately think I'll eventually be cured. I'm only 3.5 months into the process. Although I'm going to delete the orginal post, I will keep it for when I am cured and post it on the "what to expect" thread. What to expect: expect to doubt TSM!

Thanks DOMD also, its good to hear success stories. Did you have any major spikes about 3-4 months in?

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