My NAL Trip

[pompeyman]

My NAL Trip

thanks for the advice seeking ...... here in m home city AA is incredibly strong with probably about 10 groups running ...... my psychiatrist has asked me whether i would like to be a facilitatorf or a SMART self support group based on CBT with no higher power or sponsor ........ she put me in touch with the manager of the local treatment centre ...... have researched the SMART site and it seems interesting ..... does anyone have any experience of this group that might help me ????? have a great day everyone ..... pompey

[eight days a week]

My NAL Trip

Thanks for the update seeking, good to hear things continue to go well!

You make a great point about the benzos, though I still don't understand why Drs Eskapa and others think they may hamper the process.

All I know is, I'm eight months now on TSM and still not 'cured' and seen no progress at all recently. I really want to have a couple of months on it virtually benzo-free before I give up on it completely, that's if the Baclofen doesn't work some magic first.

Keep up the good work!

Pompeyman, I used to keep a diary with just the number of UK units I drank daily, to try to spot an overall trend (unfortunately there wasn't one, for me!) Some people record craving levels too, but in my case that wasn't really helpful as I don't crave alcohol, I just drink to feel less anxious/out of habit/boredom. And, as mentioned, record anything else you find useful!

potato;833064 wrote: Great humble opinion Eight Days, and definitely better than my jaded one. Lol. Thanks

That was the simplified version haha, I could write a book on my last relationship. Unfortunately that was before I woke up to a lot of things about myself that tie in to my addictive personality and low self-esteem, and I fell for a girl that was wrong for me in almost every way, and who almost ended up killing both pf us (no joke alas). I can't emphasise enough that people like us have to be extra-careful, but despite past mistakes I still believe there's one out there for me who is just perfect

[seeking1]

My NAL Trip

Hang in there, 8. I really do think that one of these drugs or a combination will work for you. Please keep me posted, and yes, try the benzo-free approach! I recall a couple of people over at the TSM site who had really good results once they were off.

Pompey, I don't know the group to which you're referring. Wish I could be more help!

[eight days a week]

My NAL Trip

seeking1;835079 wrote: Hang in there, 8. I really do think that one of these drugs or a combination will work for you. Please keep me posted, and yes, try the benzo-free approach! I recall a couple of people over at the TSM site who had really good results once they were off.

Pompey, I don't know the group to which you're referring. Wish I could be more help!

Thanks seeking! I'd love to know who the guys were from the TSM site who had good results after coming off benzos. I think I know most folk there as of three or four months ago (and regulars since the site started) and the only one there who I recall in a similar situation is bob3d, who didn't come off benzos entirely (and in fact was taking more than I am now, I think, when he was 'cured').

Anyway, you're right, thanks so much, I'll get this licked, and I have all the meds and support in place I need to do just that!

[seeking1]

My NAL Trip

8, I'm confused too as to the validity of the "benzos affect success on TSM" claim, but it does seem to be a variable for some. I don't recall people in particular from the other site who had a turnaround after going off benzos, but I think they're there -- probably you could locate a couple with a keyword search or by PMing a moderator.

Hope you have a great weekend!

[seeking1]

My NAL Trip

Weeks 9-11

Pre-TSM: 40-55 units/week (see above for my calculation of units), 0-4 AF

Week 1: about 20 units, 2 AF

Week 2: about 30 units, 4 AF

Week 3: 38 units, 2 AF

Week 4: 23 units, 4 AF

Week 5: 28 units, 4 AF

Week 6: 31 units, 3 AF

Week 7: 29 units, 4 AF

Week 8: 32 units, 3 AF

Week 9: 30 units, 3 AF

Week 10: 30 units, 3 AF

Week 11: 25 units, 4 AF

Still hovering around 30 units/week, 3-4 AF days/week. Feeling less craving in general, wondering about habit vs. craving (as before), sometimes taking days off from drinking simply because it feels so good to be clean and clear the next day. Still working on kicking sleep meds -- dosage is lower, but they are still there.

I'm not even to the three month mark yet, so I'm still refusing to over-think. Have been behind on posting units and musings as I've been traveling and generally enjoying having more of my life available to me. Lots of creative ideas coming to the surface, a great feeling I've not had in a long time (instead, had been mourning the passing of the ability to act on them the last few years).

I've been popping in to read how folks are doing. Cheers to all!

[eight days a week]

My NAL Trip

Hi seeking, thanks for posting and keeping us up-to-date. Around 30 units seems like tremendous, steady progress And not over-thinking also seems like a great idea - why on earth do so when the figures and how you're feeling (your positive post a prime example!) speak for themselves?!

seeking1;835644 wrote: 8, I'm confused too as to the validity of the "benzos affect success on TSM" claim, but it does seem to be a variable for some. I don't recall people in particular from the other site who had a turnaround after going off benzos, but I think they're there -- probably you could locate a couple with a keyword search or by PMing a moderator.

Ah, I meant to reply to this ages ago. I've read almost all the topics on the subject at some point over there, most importantly the responses from Eskapa, but my memory's not what it was. I think it had to do with benzos affecting GABA, but I'm on Baclofen anyway, which also does that. So why are companies investigating dual Bac and TSM treatments? It doesn't make any sense to me.

If this was such a hot topic then why would Sinclair not have reported his clinical results from the supposed tens (? - memory again - doh!) of thousands of Finns who were treated with TSM, as loads of them must have been on benzos. How could someone discover something so potentially valuable that it could save the lives of millions of people worldwide (that's the way it's been sold) and then move on to a lingual spray using Naltrexone for overeating, leaving Eskapa (who also seems to have gone quiet) to try to publicise TSM for alcoholism?

Talk about over thinking (but then I have been on this for almost nine months now with no results)! Things don't stack up to me with TSM, or more precisely the way it's been presented to the world, and I'm not alone. My alcohol specialist is one of the pre-eminent authorities in the UK, if not much further afield (I hesitate to say 'the World' but for all I know he might be; he certainly travels all over it for research and educating) and he thinks Sinclair's work is very good with rats but is far from convinced it equates in humans (and he prescribes Naltrexone himself, so he has nothing against it per se).

I've come to my own conclusion on it, right or wrong. It either works for you an absolute treat, or it doesn't. And the percentage it works for is nowhere near the 78% reported in the book.

Sorry, seeking, I'm ranting way of-topic in your thread, forgive me. I'm so glad things are working out great for you. And, it seems absolutely clear that you're one of the lucky folk it does work for, I couldn't be happier!!

All the best, please continue to keep us up-to-date!

[seeking1]

My NAL Trip

Hi, 8.

I certainly understand why you have these questions and why you're frustrated. I don't have answers other than via my own experience. I don't know about percentages (e.g. the legendary 78%).... I sometimes wonder if there doesn't seem to be a lower success rate than promised because some of those for whom Nal works simply drift away from the boards as they no longer think (and thus no longer write) about alcohol and alcoholism. But that's just an idea.

I think it's great that you continue to work on your problem. It takes character to stick with it, especially after having been told there might be a miracle fix, then finding out it wasn't such a miracle for you.

Hugs to you and hope you'll keep us posted....

[seeking1]

My NAL Trip

PS, 8 -- I've wondered the same thing about Bac/benzos/GABA. Eskapa has said that benzos CAN be a factor in TSM not working for some, but to my knowledge there is nothing conclusive, and yes, it does seem odd that if both benzos and Bac have this relationship to GABA, there's a drug in the work that combines Bac and Nal. My fine arts education is not serving me well, here.

[seeking1]

My NAL Trip

Week 12 Update

Pre-TSM: 40-55 units/week (see above for my calculation of units), 0-4 AF

Week 1: about 20 units, 2 AF

Week 2: about 30 units, 4 AF

Week 3: 38 units, 2 AF

Week 4: 23 units, 4 AF

Week 5: 28 units, 4 AF

Week 6: 31 units, 3 AF

Week 7: 29 units, 4 AF

Week 8: 32 units, 3 AF

Week 9: 30 units, 3 AF

Week 10: 30 units, 3 AF

Week 11: 25 units, 4 AF

Week 12: 30 units, 3 AF

Well, I'm about at the three month mark. Holding pretty steady at about 30 units a week/3-4 AF a week. Still tapering my sleep benzos (completely off the heavier one for sleep now and using a lighter one, reducing that each night I use it). Hoping that I'll have either am Al spike and final drop or an ongoing drop in units soon, one way or the other. But I know that the wait and ride could be longer than and different from what I hope. Mostly just appreciating more clarity and self-confidence. Went to a party this past Saturday at which I normally would've been the silly drunk friend who couldn't last for the after-party.... Instead, I was the most sober one there and lasted 'til the end, remembering every detail. Pretty cool.

[seeking1]

My NAL Trip

Week 13 Update

Pre-TSM: 40-55 units/week (see above for my calculation of units), 0-4 AF

Week 1: about 20 units, 2 AF

Week 2: about 30 units, 4 AF

Week 3: 38 units, 2 AF

Week 4: 23 units, 4 AF

Week 5: 28 units, 4 AF

Week 6: 31 units, 3 AF

Week 7: 29 units, 4 AF

Week 8: 32 units, 3 AF

Week 9: 30 units, 3 AF

Week 10: 30 units, 3 AF

Week 11: 25 units, 4 AF

Week 12: 30 units, 3 AF

Week 13: 22 units, 4 AF

Units lower again this week.... Successfully tapering sleep meds, should be to zero pretty soon with them. I have a very strong feeling that once I am done with those, it's going to be easier to understand trends.

Started yoga this week, and while of course it is not a cure for anything, I'm finding that it centers me and gives me perspective. It's something I probably wouldn't have done when I was drinking five or more days a week.

So we're at three months. I'm in it for as long as it takes. Still happy about the clarity and control -- It continues to be empowering to be in situations wherein, in the past, I'd have been sloppy and missed the later parts of the evening and instead be right in the game, in command of my behavior.

[sylvia1]

My NAL Trip

Im totally with you on the clarity and controll while drinking on nal. Its such a relief to go out knowing I wont make a fool of myself, knowing I will remember coming home and knowing that I wont wake up in a panic in the wee hours full of guilt about my consumption and behaviour night before.

Ive reduced my units with tsm but if the clarity and controll was all it did I would still be very happy with it. Where Oh Where was nal in the last 10 years. It would have saved me so so much pain and heartbreak. Oh well we have it now.

[Cinders]

My NAL Trip

I am so glad Nal is working for you two.

I am also grateful that you are taking the time to post about it. Sharing your journey may well save other lives.

Cindi

[Rusty]

My NAL Trip

Nal is working for me as well. Day 5 for me. No side effects whatsoever and no more than 2 glasses of wine consumed in an evening. I hope to be AF soon. Nal has changed my life!

[crown86]

My NAL Trip

[QUOTE=seeking1;844392]Hi, 8.

I don't know about percentages (e.g. the legendary 78%).... I sometimes wonder if there doesn't seem to be a lower success rate than promised because some of those for whom Nal works simply drift away from the boards as they no longer think (and thus no longer write) about alcohol and alcoholism. But that's just an idea.
[QUOTE]

Seeking

I know for myself after I declard myself cured I kinda faded away from the boards for one simple reason which really wasnt intentional it just kind of played out that way...alcohol plays very little role in my life any longer and as time goes on I barley think about it much and got busy living again...weird and miraculous for me...I wish you the best in your fight