Hi Dee - I cannot remember if you had upped your dose? Maybe you should if you haven't? Try 75mg for a month and see how that goes .... I am so sad to read your post - you sound rather down - which I totally understand. But you do need to carry on - ChrisB had it suddenly work for her after two years - which I know seems a long time but if it does eventually work it is worth continuing with!

Hang in there,

Hugs, Maggie xx

Deena -

Something else I've noticed is that my drinking would notch up a bit just before it dropped down to a lower level. It's like the brain is reaching out for it's "old buddy" just before it gives up another chunk of territory.

Dee - Your post made me sad too. I think that in some ways we are alike, I'm not where I want to be yet either and March 3 was my one year anniversary.

But if you were able to cut your alcohol consumption in half and make the changes that you have detailed here, it CANNOT be true that the nal doesn't work for you. It does work, it just hasn't been (so far at least) the magic bullet that it has been for some others. That sucks, but it sounds to me like you are so much better off. Don't lose heart. Just keep taking the pill.

I wish that I had more words of wisdom to add.

xoxo Newlife

I have been under a lot of stress lately and a lot of changes. My husband has changed jobs within his company so his office is no longer in NYC. He works from home a lot now and it is great to have him home, but an adjustment. Joe, I hope you are right about an uptick right before a drop to a lower level. I definitely have been backsliding and can honestly say that I have had too much to drink the last three nights. Last night I consciously thought about what I was drinking but chose to drink it anyway. It was a very stressful day, though, as a painter at my sister's house had a bad fall and we did not know how bad his injuries were for a time.

I have not tried going up to 75mg, Maggie, but will give it a try. One of the reasons I am so disappointed by my progress is that I hate taking medication and really had hoped by this time to be taking nal once a week or so, not daily. It is finally pool season here, which means that cocktails by the pool are a part of my life. I really want to be able to have friends over, have one or two, and not have to white knuckle stopping there. I know that 75mg can't hurt, so why not?

Newlife, I do think that we are in a similar situation. I am definitely in a better place than I was before, as you are, but starting TSM was such a big deal for me that in my head I built it up to be the magic bullet it has been for some. I will not give up because when I read back over my posts I am horrified by where I was when I first started and I do not ever want to forget how much better life is now.

I posted about my anniversary because I want to have a complete record of my TSM journey. I encourage others lurking here to bite the bullet and post. Connecting with others and receiving and giving support has been instrumental in getting me where I am today. I am not in a perfect place, but in a much better place.

That's good you were being conscious about your drinking, Dee. Keep that up, as it will get a different part of your brain involved in the action and to keep the decision from falling to the automatic part of your brain will take some practice. The Nal will keep chipping away on the unconscious habit and your practice of bringing consciousness to the fore is going to promote consideration of other choices. Figure that the Nal is going to eventually erase the craving and you'll be replacing the usual drinking response to stress with a different response that you find more satisfying. I wonder what it will be?

Well, that's a question I'm pondering at the moment...

Yes, Joe, I absolutely have to find a substitute for wine when I am stressed. I am a pretty clean eater so sweets or junk food are out of the question. If only a carrot stick packed the same punch a nice pinot noir does!

I think you'll get there, for sure!

Well, maybe just ponder what it might be, visualize a bit. I'll bet it's going to feel nice, whatever it ends up being.

Have you tried Calm.com yet?

Day three on 75mg. Felt a little sick to my stomach, which surprised me. I had two drinks on Friday and Saturday, and three drinks tonight. We had an awful experience with my husband's daughter today and it did not spur me to over drink. I was too busy hiring someone to slap her around to drink.

I am hopeful that tomorrow I will start a mini cleanse.

Interesting! I hope the SE's pass and the trend continues, please check back in and let us know how it goes!

Joe, I checked out calm.com. It is a cool way to have a few moments to destress when there is no time for a formal meditation. I will keep it in mind.