I've tapered off the baclofen for now. Haven't had any cravings the last 10+ days or so and I'm finding that taking meds 3x a day (while doable on a short-term basis) gets pretty cumbersome on a long-term basis. If the spikes in cravings come back, I'll probably think it worth it to return to the baclofen. Anyway no cravings has meant no thoughts of alcohol which has been so liberating.

On another note, SPOILER ALERT....Don't read further if you haven't seen the movie "Flight" and you want to.....DH and I went to see "Flight" last night. It was interesting to see how an alcoholic/addict was portrayed by Hollywood (which often doesn't get things right). Btw, the opening flight scene was spectacular. There was one point in the movie tho where I was doubting the realism of how Whip the character would act....When he's in the hotel room and he gets access to the mini-bar, he flips out and drinks everything. First off that mini-bar had more booze than any mini-bar I've ever seen (very unrealistic). Secondly, Whip was very much a functional addict...I thought it was out of character that he would totally lose it when so much was on the line the next morning. Yes, he very well might have/would have had some shots but just enough to give him the rush he needed to make it the next 12+ hrs. Am I wrong in my thinking? I know there are many kinds of alcoholics; just wondering if the addict/alcoholism affliction was portrayed accurately? I think this is the first time I've watched a movie and empathized so much w/ a character....I am/was a very different kind of addict and had not slid very far before I started to pull it together but nonetheless, I saw someone on the screen who was dealing w/ a similar problem...

Just finished a 7 AF week. When the sun set yesterday, I felt very depressed; I guess it's that time of year. And with depression comes the idea of a drink....well sort of this time. For many years, my first reaction has always been to have a drink, a pick-me-up. But last night I realized I really didn't want a drink. I felt empty and unmotivated but also felt a drink wasn't really what I wanted. So I guess that's a little progress.

Hope everyone here is finding a little win this week as well.

Gott-
You're doing remarkably well TSM wise. It truly is inspiring for so many of us. I too, had a sense of being down today eventhough I'd just had 2 AF days and was proud of myself.
Lately I feel withdrawn and would rather not be social. But I have to remind myself EVERYONE experiences the same ebb and flow; this isn't the first time and it won't be the last. Confiding this to my husband seemed to put it in perspective -he "gets it". Nature has her down time, why can't we without feeling like something is wrong?

I wish for you: a good book to curl up with, a nice cup of something warm, and a better mood tomorrow! Being in control of Al is definitely a win...

Thanks for your post FA.

Had an interesting exchange w/ my DH last night. It was his turn to cook dinner and he came to me and said, "I really get why you liked to have a drink at dinner time"..."The kids are scattered around and couldn't care less and I'm all alone making dinner and cleaning in the kitchen."..."Pretty depressing."

Yup, it can be and that's what got me into the daily habit....That first (second, third...) glass of wine was the highlight of my day. Was nice to have my reason for starting the daily drinking validated and understood by a non-alcoholic.

Hi Gott, I was feeling similar and almost threw in the towel and drank without the Nal. I didn't AF, but I did slow myself down long enough to let a little Nal in an hour and a half before consuming 4 drinks. I'm too afraid of the Nalovers to go AF for more than a couple of days. I am also too afraid of sobriety for fear I would fail at that. So here I am, working this program. It sounds like you are doing great with the long term AF days. Thank you for continuing to post. It is good to see there is life out there without alcohol. Keek

P.S. I just read your new post...Interesting what hubby said. Yes, I too find domestic life to be a little boring. I guess I'll have to work on that..lol

Another week down with 1.5 units in total. I'm annoyed that the Nal, even in very small dosage, continues to bother me and I feel crappy the following day. Last Thursday, I went to a social event; took 12.5mg Nal and had a glass of wine. I made sure to eat a meal before I drank but the next day I felt lousy the entire day. Now I'm toying with the idea of not taking Nal before my "1 drink" outings... This could be a slippery slope....I just hate feeling terrible the day after.

Fast forward a couple days, I'm now tackling my next problem: addiction to sleeping aids. In order to end my evenings quickly and not drink, I've been taking 7.5 mg of temazepam plus herbal sleeping aids. It was very helpful to get me thru the first couple months of mostly abstinence but I realize I've traded one addiction for another. The sleeping pills also have the added bonus of helping me fall asleep w/ a snoring husband (another sleep impairment issue). Anyway on day 1 of no temazepam, I of course could not sleep. Around midnight I started thinking about having a glass of port or sherry. I ended up pouring 2oz (that's the 1/2 unit for the week) and stared at it for about 10 minutes before I drank it. It's the first time I've had anything to drink w/out Nal and the first time I've had a drink alone in my house since I got on the wagon. 3 evenings have passed since then and I haven't repeated the nightcap, not that I haven't thought about it...but part of my alcohol thoughts is just my mind messing w/ me...I have a tendency to sabotage myself...but that's another forum discussion

Anyway, that's the update for now. I've got the holidays coming and the question of whether to partake with or without Nal. I'm leaning towards without now...Will let you know how it goes.

Hey Gotthegene,

Couple of points I can relate to. The side effects the next day are starting to annoy me more and more. Nothing major but slight things like headaches constantly throughout the day and an god awful sickness after exercising.

Regarding the Benzos. I was hooked on them for a few years. I used they recreationally and you wouldn't believe the amounts I was taking. I wouldn't feel 100mg of temazepam never mind 10. Amongst other things my sleep took months to get back to anywhere near normal. They're a curse. No more than a couple of weeks MAX should they be prescripted IMO.

Anyway good luck.

That is SO UNFAIR...that even small amounts of Nal makes you feel so awful... (I'm mad on YOUR behalf, if that helps.) How slippery do you think that slope might be (drinking w/o Nal)? You have such discipline and resolve, but then w/ with that devil alcohol, who knows? You have a few specific drinking occasions planned out for the holidays?

Sleep...I took 2 Benedryl for probably 10 years, as a sleep aid, but since I quit drinking so much I no longer need them. My doc said it was okay to take them and they didn't seem to be addictive, but I guess they're probably pretty light weight. Also I don't have to deal w/ snoring.

What I meant to convey was maybe you could take one or two Benedryl, to help patch you over this w/drawal from the other drug...kind of ratchet down, but still get some relief.

Hi Chrissie, You are so kind and I really appreciate your supportive comments. I never thought of taking benedryl...will think about that. In the meantime, I am switching over to some herbal remedies....essentially, am not yet trying to get to sleep unaided but trying to eliminate the temazepam which requires a prescription.

I do have a couple planned drinking days ahead...Christmas eve...white wine w/ our fish dinner....Christmas dinner....wine w/ our turkey and port w/ stilton. And then I want to fit in one or two rum egg nogs somewhere in there the next week or so. It's all traditional Christmas season fare. Then there's new year's eve. DH is taking me dancing so will get some exercise. It would be nice to have one glass of champagne. Hopefully I can come out of the season unscathed and continue w/ the mostly AF lifestyle. I'll continue to post here as this forum helps keep me grounded.

Tee, Yes I am such a light weight....I purposely sought out 7.5 mg of temazepam b/c it works (it normally comes in 15 mg capsules). The only thing I do need a lot of is pain meds....b/c I've had migraines all my life, I need a fair bit of ibuprofen, etc to help get rid of headaches. Speaking of which, I made the mistake of eating a meal w/ msg the other night and then had it again for lunch yesterday...had such a headache and spacey feeling; it was after lunch that I realized there was msg involved. Yesterday was a totally lost day. This has nothing to do w/ tsm so don't know why I even mention it; guess I'm annoyed at another lost day...

Hope you all are doing well.