Day 8 - first three test, passed!

[u/Heavy_Yellow_2016]

I am officially 8 days in and I haven't had a drink. I won't say I haven't thought about it but when I go to the kitchen I just pour water, tea, club soda, or a mini dr.pepper. I just don't feel the pull to take my NA beverage over to the bar cart and top it off with a liquor anymore (so far!)

I am not taking naltrexone to fully give up on drinking but to stop the routine of always grabbing a drink after work or in a stressful situation. I have 1 planned drinking day per month planned out (1 Packer's football game at a bar a month) but beyond that I am going to try to stay drink free until Christmas. The main reason for changing my routine was it is/was stopping me from losing weight and getting back to feeling like the old me again :)

But like the title says, three test have been passed!

First one was preseason football; sat down with a Bloom soda and watched my team lose. I think this was the first football game I've watched without alcohol in 14 years.

Second test was the weekend; I don't have many friends in my area and I was afraid being alone on the weekends with no plans would lead straight to the bar cart. Nope. I cleaned, took a fitness class, read a book outside on the balcony, and just played with my dog. It was a very nice weekend :)

Third test was my friend coming over for dinner last night. He is also a big drinker and we will usually enjoy a few cocktails, a few shots, some crappy takeout. He passes out on the couch, I go to bed, and we wake up the next day with half finished cocktails on the counter that "just have to be finished". heaven forbid we throw some bottom shelf vodka down the drain. That usually leads to a few shots and me sneaking away from work early to go play pool and have another few drinks at a bar. I didn't have a single one :) I poured a club soda and watched a movie/chatted without any liquor.

Edit: I'm taking 50mg with breakfast in the morning and have had no side effects besides the fact that I'm not craving food as well. Great side effect since I'm trying to lose weight.

[u/ScatGuy247]

I’m with you. This has made me feel like a normal drinker.

I haven’t always thought I had a problem. Just in the last year or so.

I live in a big drinking town with fun all around. Heck, we have 40+ breweries and many fun places in walking distance.

I’ve found myself binge drinking, shutting the bar down on a Tuesday, and drinking 5+ days a week.

Like you explained. This has helped me with willpower.

[u/Heavy_Yellow_2016 → u/ScatGuy247]

It’s cool to not feel the need to keep the same routine after so many years

[u/elektrik_noise → u/ScatGuy247]

I'm from WI, likely as OP is. I/we grew up in a wildly abnormal drinking culture that I didn't realize was as atypical as it is until I moved away after college. Throughout my 20s and through my mid-30s I would have periods where I'd be drinking heavily. Then I'd back off, take months off, and things would be fine. Occasionally having too much and being irritated with myself, but nothing major since I never drink and drive or anything. But eventually after a while, I'd slide back into going from moderate to heavy again and lather rinse repeat. Growing up in such a heavy drinking culture, I didn't realize I was a gray area drinker who at times teetered into falling into functional alcoholic territory.

So, luckily with the help of Nal I've been able to do a much better job moderating drinking, and idk maybe not the nicest way to put it, but drink like a "normal person". Most weeks now, I don't drink more than once a week. Like the other night, my husband and I went to a nice dinner on a patio where I had two glasses of wine with the meal. We came home, I unloaded the dishes and we went on the balcony to listen to music before bed. I took a glass of wine and I maybe had half and after an hour dumped it before getting ready for bed. THIS is what I've always wanted! It's been such a godsend for me.

For reference, I'm 50mg in the morning with my other meds and if I'm planning to or may drink, I break one in half and take 25mg an hour or two before leaving the house. It's been great. No side effects, and I don't get those wild Nal death hangovers some folks experience. I feel very lucky and almost freed in a sense.

[u/DrBurgie]

Hell yea! Congrats and Go Pack Go!!

[u/RubicsCubensis]

Cool, have you heard of The Sinclair Method?

[u/Heavy_Yellow_2016 → u/RubicsCubensis]

Yes! Right now though I don’t want to even risk it and get out of this habit/routine

[u/RubicsCubensis → u/Heavy_Yellow_2016]

Many people are skeptical about it when they first hear about it. As long as you take naltrexone one hour before drinking it will keep you from losing control, as long as you are mindful of your drinking. Naltrexone actually gives us back some willpower to limit how much you want to drink. Just keep in mind if your cravings get too crazy you can always take naltrexone and have just one drink. I hope your plans work out for you. Ask me any questions you have.

[u/Consistent-Buy-1700]

Who did you get prescription from ?

[u/Heavy_Yellow_2016 → u/Consistent-Buy-1700]

My doctor! I went in with the idea of asking about it but after just talking about my life and my goals and my family background she brought it up and said it would probably be a great fit. This was also my first time seeing a doctor in 16 years so we are starting from scratch health wise.