I haven't been very active on here lately because there isn't much to report other than I had another first...I had half a beer during the Super Bowl. WHAT!?! I put it down and forgot about it...TWICE.

I just want to thank everyone who has commented and helped with questions along the way. I feel very grateful to have been a quick responder. Deep down it makes me wonder if I had a problem in the first place or I just let my drinking get out of hand. At the time I started Nal, I definitely had the major signs of AUD. Whatever the reason, I'm ecstatic and never want to go back to my life previously. For those who are not quick responders, hang in there!

Do I have thoughts of drinking more often than I do? Absolutely, but I'm not craving or white knuckling them. They end up being mere thoughts that dissipate after a bit. I do strongly feel that the forced AF days I had in the beginning helped break the habit I had of constantly having a beer in hand. I know it's not recommended according to TSM but at the time I didn't know any better. Had I not broke the habit I do feel that I would still be drinking more often than not. Only my opinion and thoughts.

I've thought about stopping my drink diary but decided to continue for the rest of the year to see how many AF days I will have out of curiosity and so I'm able to show others the impact it's had as well as my Therapist/Doctor.

Thanks for the update! You really seem to have gotten to the point of choice about drinking very quickly, my hearty congratulations on that!

I think continuing with the diary is a great idea.

I haven't checked in in a while.... still doing good, still taking the Nal when needed (except for one day I had one beer unexpectedly because a friend popped over with beer in tote, darn her!!! ). Follow the Golden Rule! Hope everyone is doing well!

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I just posted in OSL so if you're over there, I apologize for the duplicate post. It's been a while since doing a progress report. On Easter I hit a total 100 AF days. I don't really keep track of my days unless I have a drink and I log it. For the people who are new, hang in there, be patient, be kind to yourself and go with the flow. Surrounding myself with others who get it, helped me out a ton, even if it was online. There's great support here, OSL and the FB group.
Ang

I'm so happy to hear this has worked so well for you, Angie!

As I recall, you got your Nal from the VA. Did you ever have any other professional support for TSM?

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Professional help, No, per say. This is what I did:
Professional help from VA Psych NP but she didn't know about TSM until I informed her about it. However she did prescribe it, 50mg 1 hour prior to drinking.
Read "The Cure for Alcoholism"
Watched "One Little Pill"
Watched every YouTube video and listened to every podcast interview I could find on TSM or the use of Nal in general. Listen to a variety of recovery podcasts as well.
Submerged myself in anything I could find online, especially the C3Foundatiin website.
Received guidance from the ladies at OSL. (Extremely helpful)
Tried AA for a bit but decided it wasn't for me. I stay connected with like minded people who get it in FB group and check in here when I can.
Hope this helps and answers your question.

well done Angie, happy days, I haven't read the whole thread, so I don't know if someone has already said that TSM seems to work faster/more efficiently for people who have been abstinent for a while, yours is one of several posts to this effect I've seen here and elsewhere.
It's fabulous to have this treatment/cure (I'm nearly there I believe!. Another thing is that I feel so much less ashamed of my alcohol addiction now and I'm happy to talk to people about TSM and my experience, which I would never have thought would be possible for me. Let's spread the word like bindweed!

Congratulations Angie on your success. Newlife