Confused and have a question

[Leolady]

Hello - I am fairly new and would like to try moderation. Have been doing so with some success (at least for me - have cut down loads), but have seen lots of people on the boards saying that it is vital to do 30 days abs before trying mods and that Roberta says in her book, My Way Out, that this is important. In my copy of the book, Roberta just says "... consider starting out with a one, two or up to four week abstinence period ....." She goes on to say that the Moderation Management program supports a 30 day abstinence approach. However, I cannot see that MWO says it is vital. Indeed, elsewhere in the book, Roberta says ".. I hadn't had any luck with Moderation Management, an approach that required 30 days of abstinence, which I had been incapable of achieving." Have I missed something, here?

On a different topic and, showing my age and ignorance, lots of people put "LOL" in their posts - what does this mean, please?!!!

My best wishes to everyone and hope you don't mind my posting in this forum.

[LookingToGrow]

Hi Leo! LOL means laughing out loud. Hope that helps. Keep on reading and hang in there! Have a great day

[A Work in Progress]

Leo, it's up to you. I am not sure about the discrepancies you are citing, from the MWO book.... I don't recall that from my reading, but the bottom line is this: if you are happy with the level of your alcohol consumption now... then that's great! If you want to cut down further, it might be that some or all of the elements of the MWO program would help you with that. Only you can determine that, for yourself! And you will find (stick around here) that many people have found that moderate consumption is not something they are able to consistently maintain, and so they opt for living a life free of alcohol. The MWO program is extremely helpful for those who are aiming for that goal. For those who wish to pursue moderate drinking I think it's safe to say that most agree that a 30-day stint of abstinence really helps.

best wishes,

wip

[betts]

I noticed the same contradiction. She obviously didn't go AF for 30 days but seems to recommend it before you start modifying.
I don't think it is at all necesssary to go AF unless you are the kind of drinker who goes crazy and can't stop after the first drink. If you just want to cut down and drink like normal people do, which is what I wanted, the supplements and especially the topamax make it very easy. It's only been 4 weeks for me and I still can't believe one glass of wine is all I want.

Betts

[more2life]

Going AF is a slow process for many of us. The more time you string together the easier it gets.

Welcome to MWO.

More2

[Leolady]

Thanks to everyone for your responses. I have been taking the supplements, but not the topamax. I think I might need to try it. Does anyone who takes it have many of the side effects I have read about and did you go to your doctor to get it or just order it online?

[Saint Jude]

Hi Leolady & (I'm a Leo too, just had a B-day last week...but didn't get any older! LOLor any more mature!...)

I've been taking Topa for over 2 years now (100 mg a day)
50mg Am & 50mg PM. I don't notice the side effects much @ all, except when I first started taking it, I did feel tired & spacey, but that goes away after a week or so.
I do seem to get sleepy after I take my PM dose too, but that doesn't bother me,...I'm usually tired by then anyway...

I've been moderating here for about 2 & 1/2 years. I did go for 18 days AF at one time, (was trying for 30 , but didn't make it)

I think the Topa really does help a lot, as well as L-Glutamine, and lots of exercise.

Again welcome!
Hope this helps,
Hugs,
Judie

[LVT25]

Hi there,

I think the advice to go 30 days af is from experience. I can only speak for myself, I read the book, got the supplements and cd's and tried to drink in moderation from day 1. I did pretty well, compared to how much I had been drinking. I went from 8-10 beers almost every night, to that many a couple of times a month. But when I was really honest with myself it was obvious I wasn't in control. I decided to TRY the 30 days. It was the best decision I ever made. 30 turned into 60. I feel so much better, look better, lost weight. My blood pressure had never been high, but it is down to 110/70 now, so I know my body is better. Now I feel like alcohol is so over rated in our lives/society. I have seen so many lives either ruined or lost because of it.
I did have some beer and wine at a wedding recently, but it really wasn't worth it--i was just testing the waters so to speak. If I feel like the extra calories, or if I think it's really worth it to do that to my body, I might have a drink, but I don't crave it at all anymore.
So from my experience, my advice will always be to try the 30 days. What it boils down to is some can drink in moderation, some can't (or shouldn't).

Best wishes!

[universal]

I think LVT's advice is phenomenal......Everyone is different. I have yet to achive 30 days but have lowered my AL comsumption amazingly. Do I still have work to do? Absolutely - do I think I can mod? At this point I'm hoping so....but if I find it's too much of a struggle than I will come up with a different plan.

But you need to do what is right for you. And the supplements really do help. I find if I take an L-Glut before going out it is so much easier to say no thanks.....

Good luck to you,
Uni

[DogLvr]

I agree with Universal - the L-Glut has really helped my cravings - and is one reason that I think I was successful getting 48 AF days under my belt. I'm toying with mod-ding, but I know that I still have a tendency to have more than I should if I haven't prepared for it.

Good Luck!