Hi Dab, sometimes there are days like that, weeks sometimes, but it is all part of the process. Your post from Aug 30th is truly inspiring! So much change in so short a time, what is 6 weeks compared to the years of drinking?

I hear you too about your social life and friendships revolving around the pub. I think this is something that will naturally change as you drink less, if you're not drinking, pubs aren't really that much fun. Now that you are feeling healthier you might find more time and energy to join a club of some sort, gym, knitting, a martial art, painting, gardening or whatever you're interested in. It could be a nice way of filling the drinking hours and making new friends. Just a suggestion.

Keep up the great work!

Curi

Thanks for you kind input and encouragement folks. From what I can see by reading the experiences of others here, what I'm going through is "normal"....a part of the process. I drank another 12 units tonight....! I dont want to go backwards after 6 weeks of such wonderful progress!!!

I am curious, however, to know if bumping up the dosage from 50mgs to 75 might help. Obviously, everyones metabolism etc is different. Although, the literature about Nal does state quite clearly that 50 mgs is plenty to block the Endorphins etc. I'll be seeing my doctor (an addictions specialist) next week and will ask him about this. Will let you all know what he says.

Thanks again for the wonderful support.

Take care.

hey dabs to answer the question about raising the dose. read the email dr. escapa wrote to me.

my email to dr. escapa

On 2 September 2012 21:13, larry najor <larrynajor@yahoo.com> wrote:

hi Dr. escapa, i hope all is well. my friend is starting the sinclair method but is worrying because he has no family history of alcoholics in his family. the question i want to ask you is in your opinion do you still think tsm it will still work for him even if he does not carry the gene for alcoholism?

one more thing i need to ask you about my experience with tsm. since i started tsm i never get hangover anymore and i never get tired during the day, and i drink alot slower. plus i really enjoy the buzz i get now when i drink, it is relaxing, where as before it was depressing when i drank. why do i feel so great even though I'm still drinking 8 beers a night? when i first started tsm my drinking dropped to 4 beers for a couple of weeks and the interesting thing about that was i got a buzz off those 4 beer and it was relaxing. i appreciate your time responding back to me, you must be a really good hearted man. God bless you and your family.
Thank you
Larry Najor


dr. escapas reply


Researchers are working on a commercial gene test for the mu opioid receptor which could predict response to TSM. But it's a way off.


Your friend - if he has lost control over drinking - should anyway try naltrexone - according to extinction: TSM. 50 mg one hour before a drinking session. The genes may throw up from generations back.


You may try raising the dose - with doctors permission - to 75 mg or 100 mg 1 hour BEFORE a drinking session. 8 beers probably equates to 56 to 60 units per weeks depending on strength and amount of beer you are taking in. This remains dangerous for your health as you are no doubt aware.


Remind me how long you have been on TSM and the dosage of naltrexone you are taking. I cannot explain the experience you describe. Clinical trials indicate that most people reduce craving and drinking levels in 3 to 4 months although some take as much as 9 to 10 months.


Best wishes,


Roy Eskapa, PhD

Be forewarned, I am drunken-posting right now. Well, I've had 5 beer, plus a "gifted" shot from someone...so about 10 units, all that I could stomach....which is still WAY better than where I was 6 weeks ago (11+ units per night minimum).

I am curious to know, however, if my recent sort-of-binge (10 to 12 units per night for the last 3 nights) might have something to do with the dosage of the Nal. I've been taking 50 mgs, faithfully, every day (sadly no zero drinking days...yet). I've already been through the infamous "Nal honeymoon"...came out of that a couple weeks ago with a sharp spike up, then settled down to about 3/4 of my "Pre-Nal" drinking levels.

I already said this somewhere else, but I'm going to talk to my doctor about this when I see him next (an addiction specialist) and see if increasing the dosage to 75 mgs might be in order. I hope so, because I really don't want to go 8 to 9 months or more before seeing a significant greater change in my drinking. I'm seeing my family physician, this week already, about white patches in my mouth that might be alcohol-caused pre-cancerous lesions...so really don't want to linger with the extinction-process. Rather, I want to optimize it. Yes, I have tried Baclofen. Didn't work for me...too many side-effects....

Anyway, at least I haven't offended anyone tonight, posting whilst intoxicated. Will certainly welcome your input. Such a blessing to have you all here. Thank you so much. Take care.

Dab,

Binge drinking is a hard one. I binge drink as well.

Personally, I think us binge drinkers have a harder time than the daily drinkers. The reason is that we drink insane amounts in short period of time, then we don't want to drink again for a day or two.

I would encourage you to try to drink every day. I know this sounds weird, but the cure is basically a function of drinking sessions on NAL. For us binge drinkers, we need to try to drink more often on NAL, but as less quantities. We need to drink on NAL, but not get completely wasted.

Keep with it Dab. You will get there my friend. Put an X on the Calendar 6-8 months out from when you started and just focus on that date. NEVER drink without first taking NAL and track your units. You do these things and you will get there.

Q

Well folks, the Nal MUST be working, because for the last three nights I have avoided my usual watering hole. I didn't figure out WHY until just now. Having taken the Nal at least an hour before drinking, it has inadvertently extinguished my interest in going to my favourite pub---my "Cheers". Dr. Escapa talks about this happening in his book, that the Nal will extinguish all of the endorphin-rush and pleasure in not only our drinking, but also in the things that we associate with our drinking....the preparation of going to the liquor store for many, or in my case the interest and "thrill" in going to my favourite pub. And THAT, to me is a blessing, because I have long associated my drinking to not only the bottle, but also to the place where I have habitually gone for years and years in order to fully enjoy the bottle.

Have my drinking friends noticed my absence? A little. Do they really care??? I can answer that with another question: Do I really care if a friend does or does not show up on any given night (other than my best friend, of course)? No. My best friend and I will continue our friendship at the pub or not. As for the rest...are they missing me---right now??? NO!

Wow. This is very significant, a very significant and happy realization, to see that the Nal not only removes my alcohol addiction. It also removes my interest in going to the place, the places (I have several regular "haunts") where I go to GET my fix. I'm at home right now, and am perfectly happy being here. Six weeks ago I couldn't stand being at home in the evenings (I live alone). THIS IS ALL VERY, VERY GOOD!

The Nal really DOES WORK MAGIC, folks.

KOKO! (Keep on keeping on)....and take care. Keep posting. We need you! Blessing to you all.

Beautiful words of encouragement, my friend. Thank you. I WILL do exactly that...put the X on the calendar as you suggest. I was hoping this would take less time, as Escapa's book describes, but if it takes 6 to 8 months....fine. What is another 6 to 8 months of drinking compared to 30 years!?

I really appreciate your input here my friend. All the best to you as well, and I hope that your kind words reach many others here as well.

Dabs, that is very cool you are getting good results! Sometimes it seems like a slow slog, but then you recognize the signs of progress, in addition to tracking units.

Since you are not going to the pub, do you have fulfilling things to do at home now to fill in the time? You might need to establish new habits or hobbies, to support this big change in your life.

Yes, I have lots to do at home, Chrissie, thanks. I am an amateur musician, which, as I sober up, will amply fill my time as I finally compose new music. I bought a beautiful new acoustic guitar today...which I have dreamt for years to learn. I'm also a computer buff, and am thinking about doing web-design and site security/clean-up as well. So, YA, I have lots to do at home. Although, I've lived alone for the past couple of years, and would really like to meet someone special to share the rest of my life with---alcohol free, thanks to the Nal. My hope's, my dream's...laid bare. Thanks for your concern!!!

Take good care.

I'm just sitting here, revelling in, enjoy, appreciating, being very much grateful for --- the Internet, and places just like this, where we can connect with people from all over the world. Thanks for being here, friends! Take care.