Hi. Glad to hear of another success, even if it is of the brutal kind that I enjoyed.

As to the future, Id just say make your peace with your situation as best as you can. For me, carrying nal on my keychain really helped me. When I didnt have it, I thought I wanted to drink, but when faced with the reality of having a pill on hand, and remembering the gut wrenching side effects, well it didnt seem so appealing anymore.

On a sidenote, I have been surprised that my pill keyfob hasnt attracted any attention. I was kinda worried that people would question, having to explain what it is at airports, etc, but so far everyone leaves it alone.

Good luck, and check back in from time to time. Its good to have some success stories stick.around. Its also good to hear the relapses, it keeps me thinking that Im mortal like everyone else, it could just as easily be me coming back witha story of readdiction.

I completely lost my **** yesterday. Bad stuff snowballed, all I wanted was the blissful release of a drink.

So I had a beer. Bridgeport Kingpin Red. No nal.

I didnt even enjoy it. It gave me a headache. The rush felt harsh and empty. It didnt take my mind off my problems at all. Seems that alcohol cant live up to my fond memories of it. Kind of hung over today.

I almost wish I had a story of how I dived back in, got temporary relief and got hooked again.

I think that door has permanently closed for me.

I hope everyone is doing well.

That is good news, sideeffect. Thanks for coming back from "the other side" to report to us. Newlife

https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_e ... anguage=en

Found this ted talk in my travels. Found it quite interesting.

Apparently Im a rat in an empty cage. Have been working through my personal stuff for a few years, but I remain looking for a good chemical release, an escape.

I think this information has real applicabilitty to TSM, and speaks against the "nal only" crowd. There could be a real benefit to handling your issues, the reasons why escaping your life is attractive.

I hope this finds everyone well.

Thanks for the Tedtalk - I will read it - and also thanks for coming back and catching us up - I was asked once what was in my keychain thingie - I said 'Antihistamine - allergies are really bad right now'. And popped my Nal !!

Hugs, Maggie

I saw the same earlier in the year:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/johann-hari/the-real-cause-of-addicti_b_6506936.html

& it made a lot of sense to me. I'm currently working on getting some fun things into my "Badger Park"

Gosh Yes Badger - it does make sense - sort of anyway - I was trying to think why I am (if I am) addicted - I always thought of myself as connected - have a great family friends, etc ..... so WHAT is missing for me ? Hhmmm ..... food for thought surely ? And as you said - we need to find what is missing and put it in our own 'Maggie' or whomever park

Hugs, Maggie x

For sure it is all part of the equation. No doubt that "nal only" doesn't work for most of us, only seemingly for a lucky few.

Maybe that is a blessing, it can only be good to deal with our issues, right?

And, Maggie, I know what you mean - I am blessed with lots of family, people who love me, but that doesn't mean there might not be some hole/emptiness/something missing that I am trying to fill. Makes a hell of a lot more sense to fill it with fun and positive things than with booze. Hold that thought.

Thanks, SideEffect!! Nal on!! Newlife

Very interesting article. Though I pride myself with being "in control" I'm am not so sure my holes are filled. I think it quite possible that I was endorphine challenged and the NAL addressed that. Also going to Low Dose has changed me somewhat. I def find sex to be more rewarding. However, my human connections are unchanged and I act like a virtual hermit at times. That is probably the real reason this forum is so important to me. Thinking I need to take an adult ed class or learn to dance. Or go back to work part time. Or get a goldfish.

Steve.

Steve I know what you mean .... laughed about the goldfish - you should get a dog! When hubs takes our dogs out, women are always coming up to him - I tell him that the dog is a chick magnet!! I too act like a virtual hermit and am terribly unsociable - but always have been. Tend to stay at home mostly - but I think that I need to find something meaningful at home - feed my soul type of thing ....

Hugs, Maggie x