So, Groucho, are you saying that you take naltrexone daily, even though you are abstinent?

Of course, no method -- not even AA -- has a 100% failure rate. But readers should know that in clinical trials, naltrexone has shown in to be an abysmal failure for those trying to use it as an anti-craving med to maintain abstinence.

Part of the Sinclair method is to NOT take naltrexone on days you don't drink. That is not to say you MUST drink if you took naltrexone; for example, 1-4-the-Road recently posted that he took his naltrexone and then decided he didn't care to drink. This makes sense.

A down side to taking naltrexone daily without drinking (apart from the lost opportunity to accomplish extinction) is opioid receptor upregulation. That is, when you take naltrexone, your brain reacts by activating more opioid receptors until a few days after you stop taking it, after which the number of receptors returns to normal. (This is why reinforcing positive opioidergic behaviors on the second AF day is so effective). So if you relapse (the odds say it is not "if" but "when"), I hope you have a dose of naltrexone handy.

Please understand, the last thing I wish is for you to fail. Again, even in AA, exceptions happen. But I think it's important for readers to know that, whatever is going on, Eskapa and Sinclair both emphasize that naltrexone's mechanism is such that it does NOTHING to promote abstinence beyond perhaps the first few days, without first drinking on it for a few weeks or months to accomplish extinction.

You also need to know, as we've discussed on other threads, that this community welcomes your continued posting of your own experience. And please understand that if your current regimen requires a change, you will never hear "I told you so" or the like from anyone here. In fact, I fervently hope you continue to defy the odds! Best -- lena

Groucho, I'll be interested to follow your continued experience with using NAL as a "safety net" for the rare occasions you do drink, while generally remaining abstinent.

Groucho, as I understand what you've said, you are taking naltrexone daily as an aid to achieve abstinence; is this correct? I also glean from your posts that you understand this is not TSM. As I said in an earlier post, the fact that you are maintaining your goal of abstinence is what's important.

Since this has become my de facto progress thread, just wanted to update: The honeymoon hasn't ended! 11 weeks in and still experiencing great results with TSM. I feel fully in control, never drink to excess, and my numbers are staying low....

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I've also started adding up "5 or more" and "8 or more" days-- to me, these are the numbers that really matter and tell the more important story.

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Like many who've experienced success with TSM, I'm tempted to start shouting this from the rooftops, so to speak. And I do have some ideas about that, when the time comes. But for now I'm gonna focus on my personal journey, knowing that bumps and setbacks may still await me.

Congratulations!

Congrats Nemo. That a great way to look at it. Life sounds good.

Pretty much my final post:

Four months in, I'm cured. Through TSM I have painlessly achieved all my goals. I now have total control over drinking. Actually, I was lucky enough to be cured by week 6. The honeymoon never ended.

(edit: i had a couple thoughts here, but I think I'll remove them and just keep it short and sweet).

Anyway, thanks to all on the forum from the bottom of my heart. I wish everyone the best of luck.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!! Please keep checking in though. we need your inspiration.