How can I achieve abstinence?

Hi Liz, thanks for sharing your experience with me. What you've described there has what's really been troubling me. I'm concerned that even if I do manage a long period of abstinence that I'll never be able to drink safely again without taking naltrexone or nalmafene, that that compulsion will come back and that little voice in my head will mean I will never be able to keep it to just one drink. Friends that I've told keep saying not to think too far ahead, but you don't embark on a journey without at least having an idea where you're going do you? Nonetheless, as both you and Paul said, if I have to take a pill every time I drink in the future, it's not the end of the world.

Hats off to you for abstaining for 2 years, I have no doubt it was difficult but hearing that others have done it gives me hope. I hope you're getting on well now :-)

 

Sorry to hear that Keith - a different frame of mind maybe - will be interesting to hear what Paul has to say.

Keith, please remind me how long you have been taking it now. There will be variation in what you drink, there is for everybody, regardless of whether or not they have an alcohol problem. It is not necessarily a gradual consistent reduction, it may go 7 pints, 5 pints, 3 pints, 2 pints, 4 pints, 1 pint ....

You said, though, that you have 'not been able to stop.' What prevented you from stopping? A craving for more or just habit and you kept having another without thinking until you realised you had had four?

When you say that you have MANAGED to hold it to 2 or 3 pints, has that taken a concerted effort to do?

Hi Paul, thanks for replying. I've only been taking it for a week. Every other day, I've felt like it's created a brick wall between craving alcohol and my actions, so "managed" was probably the wrong word, it's not been a struggle.

Last night, though, I could feel that nagging craving inside me again for the first time in a week and once I'd had one I felt like I wanted more and more. And then I felt angry with myself. In hindsight, it probably was still having an effect as I still stopped at 4, a few weeks ago, I wouldn't have been able to stop until I was legless.

Yes, don't get too concerned if you drink more one day, the process isn't instant.

Thanks Paul, probably pressed the panic button a bit too early, I've just become hyper about is it/isn't it working. Much better night last night, no cravings at all. Just have to learn that it isn't going to happen overnight.