A shiny brand new start with Naltrexone - my journey

[Danabe]

A shiny brand new start with Naltrexone - my journey

15 Alcohol Free Days this Month

After a shocking week last week, this week wasn't great but then it wasn't so bad!

I've been entering my drinks into the drink tracker and am surprised I had 15 alcohol free days. I was kicking myself for ruining the really great start I had but now looking back I think it's been pretty good. 15 days free of the grog, 2 days of drinking less than 1 bottle, 7 days of drinking 1 bottle and 6 days of drinking 2 bottles.
Not bad. I am very surprised...

I have been very emotional due to my financial situation and my share of a business that I am trying to get back. It's not going well as I've run out of money to pay the lawyers. My ex business partner knows this and so is stretching everything out as much as he can so that I give up. I have lost everything except what I hold my dearest which is my family and friends. My family is everything to me and it's hard to keep a stiff upper lip at times, when I see where we are right now.

I'm still taking my Naltrexone and yes I really do feel that it's helping. Still the hangovers are a shocker even on the one bottle nights but the good part of that is that it makes me think twice about buying a bottle. I know I'll be tired and crook and cranky.

Well it's the end of my 1st month and I did ok. Not great but ok. Life is getting better with every drinkfree day I have. I can build on this. I'm interested to see what the number will be next month.

[KatieSmiles]

A shiny brand new start with Naltrexone - my journey

Hi Danabe


You are doing great!

What ever you do DON'T give up, it's a roller coaster ride with drinking numbers that can spike up for weeks at a time and then drop. The whole process can take anywhere from 4 to 12 months. Be patient.

I am getting my meds through my GP . Some things were discussed. Taking Nal everyday isn't good unless you have hardcore addiction (meaning you can't go one day AF), taking it daily can lead to depression because it blocks endorphins.

TSM is taking Nal ONLY on the days you drink - 50 mg, one hour before drinking is the golden rule. AF days are Nal free days

Best wishes on your journey. Keep posting

K

[bleep]

A shiny brand new start with Naltrexone - my journey

Sounds like it's going very well!

Your global outlook seems to be better than focusing on specific nights where it hasn't worked so well, and remember it's still very early days.

[Danabe]

A shiny brand new start with Naltrexone - my journey

You're right Bleep, once I looked at the month as a whole I could see progress. This stopped me from beating myself up for the lost days.

Thanks KatieSMiles for the info. I was just chatting with my hubby and whilst he can definitely see an improvement he has noticed I have been quite depressed. I'm seeing my GP next week for another script so I will mention this to her.

I haven't taken the Nal tonight and I won't be having a drink tonight so I'll see how I feel tomorrow.

Keep me posted K, I'm one month in and I'd be interested to see howl your journey goes.

[mario]

A shiny brand new start with Naltrexone - my journey

Hi danabe just like to say welcome (bit late i know), great support & advice here, Wishing you the best.

[Danabe]

A shiny brand new start with Naltrexone - my journey

Tuff Stuff

I had a great day today and was feeling motivated, just enjoying a day without a hangover. About an hour and a half ago, 4pm my time I started thinking of getting a wine for tonight. Why??? I've now been obsessing over it and trying my damned hardest not to take the kids out in this cold and head over to the bottle O...

So I've some back here to vent!!

Haha I scrolled down and saw your welcome message Mario! I must say I did get a little fright! Haha. Made me laugh and forget for a minute. Thankyou!

I wanted to started the month AF but of course I drank 2 bottles on Sunday night and didn't get to bed until 2am. HUbby let me sleep til 10am but it was a tough day. I didn't come good until 3pm ish. I'm just trying to hang on until 7.30pm - the kids bedtime, then I won't dare go out and buy a bottle leaving the kids at home asleep. Hubby will be home after that and I'll probably head off to bed.

Well it's a plan a least!

[Danabe]

A shiny brand new start with Naltrexone - my journey

Well it didn't all go to plan as expected...

The kids were going bonkers then the video store called me about a late movie I rented for the kids that was overdue so WHAM! that was the excuse I was looking for people!
I bundled the kids up with coats, dressing gown and the promise of a packet salt and vinegar chips and off we went. I returned the dvd and walked the two doors along to the supermarket and bought myself my usual chardy. Mind you I can only drink some Sav Blancs and 1 type of Chardy.

I took my Naltrexone and fluffed around by folding some washing,packing up toys, putting the kids to bed etc. Then I poured my wine. i was feeling a little headachy before I took the pill but took it anyway. I thought it was the stress of "good girl/bad girl" should I/shouldn't I... It was a longer than usual 60 minute hour that's for sure!

It took me a while to take the first sip. It sat on the dining table staring at me for about 10 minutes....

I've almost finished the first glass and I feel quite nauseous. My headache is still there, my cheeks are burning hot and I have a yuk metallic taste in my mouth. I'm actually thinking of going to bed. I don't know if it's the Naltrexone but this is the first time I have followed the Sinclair method and stopped taking the Naltrexone daily unless I drink.

KatieSmiles, I think you are onto something with your advice!!

[bleep]

A shiny brand new start with Naltrexone - my journey

I can relate to willpower and resolve crumbling when you are presented with such a perfect excuse! In seconds, the debate is over and the deed done.

Your results are speaking for themselves. Just keep following the method, and see where it takes you. I don't think there is too much to be gained from beating yourself up over every decision to have a glass or not though. I will say I disagree with your choice though! I can't stand chardonnay, it tastes to me like someone has ground peanuts into what was a delicious glass of wine.

[Noelle]

A shiny brand new start with Naltrexone - my journey

Danabe, I had some knee problems and ended up getting a shot in my knee. The doctor gave me Vicodin and I asked if it was okay to take with the Naltrexone. I guess I would say Vicodin was my drug of choice if a doctor gave it to me. It didn't make me sleepy and I felt great! Like "normal."

So when the pain came, I took one. Before taking Naltrexone, I could take seven or more Vicodin's a day with no problem. This time however, I didn't get the high. I was almost disappointed. All it did was take away the pain.

Obviously the Naltrexone took away the high feeling. My psychiatrist, who gave me the Naltrexone, had told me if I drank, I wouldn't really feel it, although I haven't tested that out. Don't want to.

My psychiatrist also told me I need to wear a medical alert bracelet because if I were to be in an accident and couldn't speak for myself, the doctors need to know I take Naltrexone because they could kill me by mistake by giving me pain meds. So I wear one....small price to pay for me to totally not drink.

For me, Naltrexone has been a miracle. I don't follow TSM, but I don't see why it wouldn't work too. I take 50mg per day, every day.

Good luck on you journey. I'll be watching and reading your posts, hoping for a happy outcome!

:goodjob:

[Noelle]

A shiny brand new start with Naltrexone - my journey

bleep;1108907 wrote: I will say I disagree with your choice though! I can't stand chardonnay, it tastes to me like someone has ground peanuts into what was a delicious glass of wine.

:H :H :H

[Danabe]

A shiny brand new start with Naltrexone - my journey

Thank you guys, I'm really needing the support today. I finished the bottle of course and then had a few large nips of my husbands bourbon that I found hidden in a cupboard. I hate bourbon! I am so sick today I cannot explain. I am down, crying and hate this so so much. How can I hate something so much but not stop? This is going to kill me if I do not stop. I love my kids so much but yet I keep doing it. I try to think of how they would feel with me not here yet I still do it.

Noelle, how long have you been taking Naltrexone daily and how long have you been AF?

Not a good day

[KatieSmiles]

A shiny brand new start with Naltrexone - my journey

Hi Danabe

Sorry to hear you are struggling today. If you want to learn more Naltrexone and TSM try this site. Many of the people there have had success with TSM and many are just in the first stages. thesinclairmethod.com • Index page you may want to read some of the threads there is a ton of information there.

Katie

[Danabe]

A shiny brand new start with Naltrexone - my journey

Thanks Katie

I've been through the TSM forum a few times but maybe I need to hang out there a little more. I've discovered there is a "cured list" so this may give me some extra motivation.

It has been just over a month that I started the Naltrexone and I think I'm just down on myself because I wanted an instant cure. I'm still teary but to be honest I just feel defeated. I'll feel better tomorrow after the hangover wears off. I'm booked to have hypnotherapy with a gp that specialises in using this for alcohol addiction so I'll we'll see how that goes also.

I need some tools on how to keep my mind off it and distract me when the beastly thoughts come by...

[KatieSmiles]

A shiny brand new start with Naltrexone - my journey

With TSM it can take between 4 to 12 months, with lots of ups and downs. No instant cure using that method. The ones who have regained control basically say slow and steady, it WILL happen.

[Noelle]

A shiny brand new start with Naltrexone - my journey

Danabe;1109239 wrote: Noelle, how long have you been taking Naltrexone daily and how long have you been AF?

I was drinking 12/26/10 and started with 25mg Naltrexone on the 27th. Took the 25mg for 3 days and then took 50mg, and have every day since. Haven't had a drink since the 27th.

It's my opinion only, but I wonder if taking the Naltrexone AND drinking doesn't hurt one (and their liver) more. I'm not a doctor, but I wonder.