Medication

Good luck on the meds. I think you are going to have a lot of success. I'm right behind you for support.
I'm on about week 4 of complete abstinence. I'm still doing it without meds because of the hamster wheel I was running on with all of the doctors. I'm living on l-glut and kudzu and haven't missed a day without the supps. It's really made a difference for me. I still hate 4-5pm, though. Gawd, I wish we could fast forward from about 5p to 9p.
Thanksgiving wasn't easy. I found myself at the supermarket with my list, going from aisle to aisle quickly getting everything I needed. I had to talk myself around each corner to not stop at the wine section. I talked myself in and out of buying a bottle of wine at every aisle. I did the "I'll just have one glass and that's it!" Then I'd get 2 aisles down and talk myself out of it. In the end I circled the liquor department for 1/2 hour- yes a HALF HOUR talking myself in and out of buying that fricken' bottle of wine.
The funny thing is, that I really didn't have a physical craving for it, just an association craving. I LOVE to cook the Thanksgiving meal with the "all day" glass of wine and watch christmas movies.
But I had to coach myself into becoming the person that I was before I had to have a glass of wine with everything.
I enjoyed holidays long before I enjoyed wine and I had to get back to that person. It feels wonderful and comforting at first, but then it mushrooms into excess and guilt and depression.
Now that I lived through it, I think Christmas will be much easier. I'm slowly getting things in order that I let slip for so long and the more order and continuity that I have in my life, the more control I have over the choices that I make.
It really feels amazing to actually REMEMBER this last month. To remember conversations that I had with my husband without quickly and blearily having to write down important tidbits of information and finding the stuffed notes in my purse the next day.
Not having to hide is so liberating. I actually am starting to feel like a whole human being again.

Take care and keep in touch.

***
lovecarps

I take it at 8 am, noon and 5 pm and suffer few side effects. Except an extremely decreased desired to get bombed every night. I just can't belive it how great this stuff is. Don't get me wrong. I still get cravings, but I have NEVER been able to stop at two drinks. Last night I opened a beer and started bathing my kids. Before I new it the beer was warm and I hadn't even taken a sip. Prior to topa, the beer would have been gone before the tub was full. I drank two total and then thought who cares, I am done. Prior to topa, I would have obsessed over how many I could drink without having to call into work. How many hours of sleep I could get and function, how many beers were left. Such obssessive/compullsive behavior. You know, I have even noticed a decreased in my shopping habits.

Maybe taking 100 mg 3x a day will help you.

***
nina328

Welcome aboard!
Yes, you are correct...Campral is for those who choose abstinence. If you drink while on it, you will not become sick. It will lose it's effectiveness though. You may begin craving again. It takes about 1 week for it to "kick in". Like I've said in previous posts, it's an amazing medication with little to no side affects.
Good luck!

***
stac05

I find that I have to take the large doseage (150 mg) in the ate afternoon and a small dose (25 mg) in the morning to keep a clear mind throughout the day. I previously didn't titrate slowly enough in the morning dose and it caused serious problems with my daily duties. I am doing fine with the above schedule with no cravings whatsoever. I am not taking a chance this time trying moderation. It didn't work for me last time. I thought I was invincible because I was taking topa and still drank too much. It is easier to stay completley away from "it" altogether.

I am encouraged by Bear's (another guy) posts, thanks.

c2roadster

Hey Vida,

I have a kind of interesting work schedule, in that I'm a therapist and self-employed, which often means I work until 7 or 8 in the evening, and I don't start until 11am or 12 pm. I usually take my morning topa at 10 or 11 am, and my afternoon topa at 5 or 6 pm. The later the better for me, since evening was my favorite drinking time, so I like it to really kick in for the evening. In fact, I "slipped" a little the other night and bought a "mini" (a glass-size) bottle of wine and brought it home and drank it, then realized I had forgotten to take my afternoon topa. At least the one glass was no major damage!

I think there is room to "play" with the dosing, and you should do what works best for you. I guess the only caveat to that would be to not take your doses too close together, say not less than 6-7 hours apart. Want to get as much coverage as you can! Hope this helps!

Hugs to you!

***
YoungAtHeart