calijohn
Level 1 Member
Maintaining 100% compliance
Posts: 416
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Post by calijohn on Oct 23, 2018 12:45:41 GMT -5
So, I figured its time to start a progress page of my own. I've been drinking since my teens, throughout college, and through adulthood. I'm 49 and as the name implies, I live in California. Mostly a binge drinker, yet I'd have a beer or two with dinner/evening during the week. I really started drinking heavier when one of my employees bought me a bottle of scotch for Christmas. I loved it and really got into various scotches, finally settling on Jameson Irish Whiskey. I liked the effect it gave me without having to pee every five minutes because of beer. As my marriage went down the tubes, I found drinking was a good escape and for years I got drunk each night.
I knew I was headed down the Alcoholism road, but wasn't ready to stop. Then, like switch flipped in my head, I would get withdrawals every day. Minor, but I didn't know what was happening. Doctor didn't know either, yet in the back of my head, I thought, if I just stop drinking this would all go away. Then I had moderate withdrawals each morning... dry heaves, shakes, the whole nine yards. I never drank during the day, as I knew that would be a fast ticket out of my career. I found the Hams.cc website and tried to taper and moderate. But it didn't work. One Friday after work, I took a shot of whiskey and all my symptoms went away.. "Oh shit! I'm really physically addicted." Like a good addict I rationalized that if I can make it through the weekend and not be sick Monday morning, I can continue. Well, Monday rolled around and I was quite sick. This was in July of 2016. First call was to my boss. 2nd call was to my Dad (35 years AA sober). 3rd call was to a rehab facility. They had a bed for me for Wednesday. I went and it was fantastic! I felt free finally. I stayed for 5 days and tried to learn as much as I could. Then I did a few months of Intensive Outpatient Program. This had me sober for 6 months, until I decided to dabble again. Well, it didn't take me long to return to my old drinking habits. I found that as a single guy, not drinking was socially difficult. This lead me into AA. I had a sponsor and worked the steps (stopped at step 8). But I was still in a routine of sober for a week or two, then boozed for a weekend. I couldn't seem to break the cycle. It sucked. I had heard about TSM + Nal, but I'm not a fan of meds, even though I was on campral.
Anyways, after watching the videos and reading everything I could get my hands on, I made a purchase from India. That was 14 weeks ago. I'm now in the middle of week 10 and have been mostly compliant. I saw results immediately, then rebounded, yet I do have a downward trend which is good. Nal + TSM works! Thank God!
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case
Level 1 Member
Posts: 275 
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Post by case on Oct 23, 2018 18:09:42 GMT -5
I think you're doing great - your chart's definitely headed in the right direction. Everybody has spikes. Before TSM when I would blow a taper I would figure, "Well I blew this, may as well swing for the seats!" and that was that. But after I started seeing progress with nals and the TSM protocol, I could say to myself, "Well, this is just one day and I will get back on the rails tomorrow." And it worked. When you look back, you started drinking in your teens, so it took you a while to get to a really bad place with alcohol, and it's going to take you a while to erase the addiction. But TSM works. You obviously respond to the medication so it's just a matter of hanging with it and following the protocol. You will get there!
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Post by SilentBob on Oct 23, 2018 20:54:05 GMT -5
Seriously, you're doing really great. Stay compliant. Drop the "mostly" part!  Yeah, when I got away from solely drinking beer and started on the brown liquid, THAT'S when my AUD kicked into overdrive! Soon it was a six-pack and 5 or 6 hefty glasses of scotch or whisky *every* single night. Weekends were even worse! Now that I'm on TSM, I still have about a third of the bottle of scotch left from before I started. Every so often I take a look at it, and think, "I don't even have the slightest desire to pour myself one." TSM really works! |
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calijohn
Level 1 Member
Maintaining 100% compliance
Posts: 416
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Post by calijohn on Oct 29, 2018 13:19:46 GMT -5
Week 10 is in the books. I seem to be maintaining my levels. I tried but didn't have any AF days last week. That needs to change. I had more AF days pre-TSM.
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calijohn
Level 1 Member
Maintaining 100% compliance
Posts: 416
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Post by calijohn on Nov 5, 2018 12:45:42 GMT -5
Another week done. I did however have two non-compliant days. Whoops. Week 11 is in the books.
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DavidOz
New Member
Started TSM Sunday 4th November 18.
Posts: 33
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Post by DavidOz on Nov 5, 2018 18:14:47 GMT -5
Below 10 drinks in a week from where you started is a seriously good result. Keep going John.
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Post by joesixpack on Nov 6, 2018 1:13:58 GMT -5
Looks like TSM is working well for you, Calijohn! Keep those shield up by staying compliant and keep your gains!
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Post by excitedbeyondmeasure on Nov 13, 2018 10:49:18 GMT -5
Another week done. I did however have two non-compliant days. Whoops. Week 11 is in the books.
You and I started about the same time! I have been following your ptogress. Great work buddy! One thing to remember about non compliance: with the uptick of Sensors in your brain that develops from blocking them continually w/NAL whatever endorphin practicing event do you do ( drinking or sex or gym workout) has a bigger bang and a bigger reaction. This is one of the negatives pointed out by a site that is anti-TSM. Saying that if the addict drinks off and on w/o NAL they will become more addicted as the uptick causes MORE of a rush and sensation on those days you are drinking without compliance. Just a note dear TSM buddy |
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calijohn
Level 1 Member
Maintaining 100% compliance
Posts: 416
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Post by calijohn on Nov 13, 2018 11:33:31 GMT -5
Another week done. I did however have two non-compliant days. Whoops. Week 11 is in the books.
You and I started about the same time! I have been following your ptogress. Great work buddy! One thing to remember about non compliance: with the uptick of Sensors in your brain that develops from blocking them continually w/NAL whatever endorphin practicing event do you do ( drinking or sex or gym workout) has a bigger bang and a bigger reaction. This is one of the negatives pointed out by a site that is anti-TSM. Saying that if the addict drinks off and on w/o NAL they will become more addicted as the uptick causes MORE of a rush and sensation on those days you are drinking without compliance. Just a note dear TSM buddy That makes perfect sense! Thank you for sharing!!! |
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calijohn
Level 1 Member
Maintaining 100% compliance
Posts: 416
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Post by calijohn on Nov 13, 2018 11:35:37 GMT -5
My progress; week 12. Not happy with the results, despite having an AF day. I'll keep going and stay compliant.
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rella
Level 3 Member
Posts: 754
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Post by rella on Nov 13, 2018 15:09:49 GMT -5
Don’t kick yourself! I’ve read several times that a lot of people have a rough time in the 3-4 month timeframe. I’m glad I read that - it helps to know that the line ain’t straight. I’m a little concerned about my own 48-hour uptick but, like you, I’m going to keep on with it!
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calijohn
Level 1 Member
Maintaining 100% compliance
Posts: 416
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Post by calijohn on Nov 14, 2018 12:21:59 GMT -5
AF last night. Felt good. No cravings or anything. Same as last week. Thinking if I feel the same this evening, I'll do it again. I do need a better strategy for the weekends for sure.
I appreciate all the support!
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Post by SilentBob on Nov 14, 2018 17:39:33 GMT -5
I'm doing the same thing. I was AF last night, and have pretty much decided to do another tonight. So let's do this! |
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Post by excitedbeyondmeasure on Nov 14, 2018 23:31:43 GMT -5
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calijohn
Level 1 Member
Maintaining 100% compliance
Posts: 416
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Post by calijohn on Nov 19, 2018 19:49:30 GMT -5
 Well, here's my last week. Better than the week before.
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🤪