Cravings returning

[RoseKat]

I am going for moderate drinking after 5 to 7 glasses of wine a day habit. I'm just starting out, on day 7 with Topa, so I'm still only taking 25 mg. But while the supps and Topa seemed to knock the cravings out completely right from the start, I had 4 glasses of wine last Saturday (after abstaining for 5 days) and the cravings came back, although not as fierce as before. So now it is a struggle every night not to drink and I'm actually looking forward to upping the dose. So far, it's going better than I have EVER been able to do on my own! But will increasing the Topa reduce cravings? How can I get to moderate drinking without triggering the cravings again?

Oh, I ordered the CD's, but they are on backorder. I'm hoping they will help to combat the cravings, too.

And I'd just like to add that I love this site! The support and TLC I've witnessed here have given me the courage to try this program, to ask my doctor for the meds, and to take control of my own health and well-being.

Many, many thanks to RJ for sharing your wonderful recipe. Isn't it amazing that you started all this?

Kat

[peaches]

Cravings returning

Upping the topa will reduce the cravings. I am at 100mgs. I do the mods & pretty much stick to 1 or 2 drinks a night. I used to drink a bottle a night. Pea

[RoseKat]

Cravings returning

That's great! How long have you been on Topa? Are you doing the CD's? I've been hoping I wouldn't have to go all the way up to 300 mg. I'm trying to do abs on weekdays, and mods weekends only, at least for starters. My teenagers are keeping me honest because I told them I was doing this program. It's hard sometimes, but I can do it for them when they are hanging around me because I feel so guilty going off. They've seen mom drunk too many times, and that's probably the worst thing I've ever done. Well... it's right up there at the top of the list.

[Allie]

Cravings returning

Hi Rosekat,
Upping the dose will definitely help. If you havent already, I would suggest go ahead and start today, especially if you had such a good first week and not having side effects from the 25 mg. I can relate to the teenager-thing too... I have two at home and they WATCH me! I too feel guilter than anything else about the example (or lack thereof) that I have set for them in the past. But I have to remind myself it is more important for them to see me tackle my problems, overcome them and ultimately how I finish the race in the end. They will be so proud of you as they see you getting a hold on it. Good luck!

Allie

[InnerStrength]

Cravings returning

Hi RoseCat

Yes, upping the dose definitely helps - I am now at 150 mg and I feel really great. Every time I go up, I notice a difference. Just go up until you feel comfortable.
Hugs
jen

[sujul]

Cravings returning

It might be helpful to follow the suggestion in the book about doing a longer initial period of abs (30 days?)...after all, it's not only the physical cravings we're dealing with here, but also just the "habit" of drinking...in some ways I think that's even harder to change....at least it was for me!
good luck--
susan

[InnerStrength]

Cravings returning

Susan
Good point - the habit is a huge one - for me too.
I think I am going to have to do a 30 day abs period soon too. I am getting afraid that the mods I am doing might be counteracting the effects of the topa - is this possible?

[RoseKat]

Cravings returning

My daughter has a friend whose mother has been in rehab a couple of times so she is very astute at 16, and already IS proud to see me doing this on my own. Both kids seem to be much happier and glad to spend more time around me because I'm in control and fun to be with. It's embarrassing, but there were times I woke up with bruises and didn't remember falling down or walking into doorjambs, and the kids hated to see me like that. You're right, Allie, the best thing I can do for them now is show them how to deal with my problems and win.

Susan, you're right about it being a habit in addition to a craving. So with Labor Day coming up, how do you NOT drink when there are "drinking holidays" coming up?

[RoseKat]

Cravings returning

I was wondering about the mods counteracting the Topa, too. Didn't RJ have something on that?

[sujul]

Cravings returning

Jen, I'm on Campral because mods just was not an option for me...but I thought that the whole point of Topa was to be able to drink moderately...so I don't think you could negate its effects by drinking...I think it may well be that no matter WHAT we do, we STILL have to deal with our emotional relationship with alcohol...that's the hardest part and the part that I think many of us don't really want to hear about.....

RoseK, about those holidays...well, this may sound really, really harsh but I have to be honest here...trying to make a change in our relationship with alcohol involves MUCH more than taking a pill and waiting for things to change...it really does involve changing a lot of things in our lives and one of those things is the way we "celebrate"... We have to be willing to do whatever it takes--and that may mean celebrating in a different way, or with different people or whatever....for me, I choose not to go to certain events when I am concerned that my abstinence will be jeopardized. I just cannot risk it...I absolutely cannot go back to where I was last April...and I will do anything I have to to make sure that doesn't happen...

This is what it takes for me to maintain my "new" life but, believe me, it's sooo worth it!
:h
susan

[Guest]

Cravings returning

In response to Jen:
I would recomment doing the 30 days, or the best you can ASAP! Look how well I was doing in the early spring thru early summer, averaging maybe a drink or so a day, then kept messing with my moderation (oh, I can have a few more tonight....), and not upping my topa more than 125mg. After a couple months of that pattern, the drink count kept sneaking up, like I was getting "used to" the topa. I liken it to a regular tolerance for alcohol for someone who has never drank. At first, one or two could get you buzzed, then it starts taking 3, 4, TEN drinks to get the buzz.
Remember, this is just me, and everyone is different, so please don't be disheartened. Just be wary! I love ya too much for this thing to fail for you! And I think I'm a bit bummed that I could never get past 125mg because of my side effects and admitted lack of patience.
You are doing great! Proud of you, girl!

Oh, BTW so everyone knows, I'm not back to where I was before the program by any means. Just have days where I'm still over-drinking... like the rest of the dang people in my life!!! grrrrrrrrrrrrrr. My abs days are MUCH higher now that I'm off the topa, cuz I know I'm succeptible to over-drinking once I get started. So I don't start! That's where I'm at.

Thanks for listening!
Becca

[Preciouspinot]

Cravings returning

Thanks for that post Becca. That is pretty much where I am now. I started off great, then got over confident thinking I could jump into moderation and the 1-2 drinks crept up to 4-6 glasses of wine. But, now I can just tell myself to go back to the drawing board and learn from my mistakes. Today is another day to succeed!

[RoseKat]

Cravings returning

Do the hypno CD's help any of you? I can't help but think that they will help with behavior patterns and habits. I don't have them yet because they are on backorder, but I didn't want to wait for them to get started on the program, so at this point I'm just using the tools I can get my hands on.

[wwbarb]

Cravings returning

CDs

Rose, I am not taking Topa and had to back off of the supps because I was in digestional hell. Today is day 23 of ABS, and I could not have done it w/o the CDs. I am a big believer in change coming from the inside. There is no magic pill or I would have found it.

I've also lost 45 pounds with this philosophy and kept (most) of it off for over 10 years.

I think you'll find they make a big difference if you give them a chance with an open mind.

Barb

[mary8305]

Cravings returning

This is just what I needed to hear today from everyone.I was taking 25mg twice a day and upped one time to 50mg because I found the cravings a little stronger I hope I can stay here but I'll see. I am getting some tingling and a little spacey not to bad I can deal with it and it's made the world of difference.Habit plays a role as well,I noticed on vacation I wanted to drink more.I find the hypnosis and exercise to be helpful still having trouble getting the supplements down.My two daughters have been upset about my drinking for awhile and my oldest told me she noticed how much better I seemed and how I was taking care of myself.I so wish I had found this sooner but I'm so glad I found it now moderation is really what I've wanted and I have been able to do it since I started this.Great website thank you all.I was sober in AA for eight yearsthen really out of control drinking for five years but I'm happier now able to moderate.