Hello, I'm Gotthegene and I'm an alcoholic.

I completed the first week of recording my alcohol intake and am starting a new thread under "Weekly Progress". My story of how I became an alcoholic can be found under the "My Story" section.

I ordered Nal on February 3rd and am still waiting for it. I'm a little anxious because it seems to have been stuck in US customs for 5 days now....Is this common?

As I wait, I have learned that last week's intake was 45 units. Gasp!

Hi, G -

Very good idea, tracking your intake, while you await your Nal. Those #'s are really important to keep track of, as they will provide solid data for you, in addition to the less subjective feelings you will no doubt experience. I've found it helpful to keep track of ALL the various signs of success and progress, because this can be such a quirky, spastic journey!

I get my nal from All Day Chemist, and it usually takes about 10 days. I know, the waiting is hard! But that's great you are here at the Forum and therefore already starting on your way to recovery, good for you!

Chrissie

I am frustrated and a bit anxious that my Naltrexone has been stuck in US customs now for 7 days. Is it possible that customs will dispose of it and I'll never receive it?

Meanwhile, I've concluded the Baclofen does help a "little". I went off it a couple days thinking it wasn't helping at all but then found my alcohol cravings were stronger. So off Baclofen, alcohol cravings are a 10; on Baclofen, they are an 8.5. Not a great improvement but may help me drink "one less" each day.

In other news, my family leaves me tomorrow for a week. Left to my own devices, this could be a really bad thing. Or with no chaos and no reason to stay up late, it could be a good thing. Tomorrow is day 1 of solitude. Not sure how it will play out.

I hope others on this board are doing well.

My Naltrexone has now been stuck in US customs for 11 days. I called Alldaychemist yesterday and, if I still haven't seen any shipment progress by Thursday, they'll reship my order. That's the good news. The bad news of course is that I'm probably 3 weeks away from starting the Nal treatment.

So everyday continues to be a battle. The upside is that, with my family away, I seem to have a better grip on my intake. Yesterday was just 5 units so woke up with a clear head and able to take on the day.

I'm on and off with the Baclofen. Yesterday I did not take it at all but instead took 6 capsules of the Kudzu and that seemed to curb the cravings about as much as the Baclofen. Will try the Kudzu again today and see if I can match the 5 units or better it.

Oh, how maddening (the delay)! A good reminder that our suppliers are imperfect, and shipments can get lost, etc. I feel your pain, because when I first started in August, I took Nal for about a week and noticed my blood pressure shot up. After a week of worrying about that, I went off for a few weeks to sort out what was causing the BP spike. It turns out it had nothing to do w/ the Nal, thank goodness, but I was really chomping at the bit, wanting to get the SHOW on the ROAD!

Hopefully your first shipment will show up SOON...in the meantime it sounds like you are tracking your units and examining other factors and options, all bound to be helpful.

Chrissie

Just completed my second week of counting units---still pre-Nal and waiting for delivery. I dropped from 45 to 42 units. So counting the units and awareness of my intake motivated me to drink less. It's sort of like competing with myself.

Today is the first day of Lent and it wasn't too many years ago when I could give up alcohol for Lent. There were times when I could give up both alcohol and sweets. Where did that strength go? Every evening is a battle. I hate this.

Know just exactly how you feel. Hope the nal gets there soon.

Sorry to hear about the frustrating wait, but it seems that they are a reputable outlet, so hopefully things will clear up soon !!
Good on your for tracking already and getting a good baseline. Wishing you luck,
EL

My week without family was a very good, controlled week. I consumed alcohol each day but limited my intake enough to wake up most days feeling good.

My family returned home late Saturday and their first day back was not good for my drinking. Well, I'd like to blame them but I can't; it was the OSCARS(!) I stayed up and watched it with everyone and drank waaay too much. Don't remember going to bed and woke up with a hang over. Damn. I just hate that.

So today I feel like I'm starting over and tell myself I've got to get a grip. 2 more days to finish up week 3 of counting units. Hopefully I can still improve over weeks 1 and 2.

Hope no one else had the Oscars do them in!

Hi GG, are you still playing the waiting game (for the Nal?) Good job, staying in touch here and reporting what's going on with you.

The Oscars didn't "do me in"... I went to see The Iron Lady w/ some friends yesterday afternoon, and so was really rooting for Meryl, wooHOO! Two impressive ladies (Thatcher & Streep).

Chrissie