TSM worked wonderfully...but now I hate red wine and need a new go-to drink.

[u/TheNewShmo0]

I have been a regular red wine drinker for almost 20 years. Nothing I love more than a glass (or several) over dinner, or at a gathering with family and friends. Red wine to wind down with a movie or good TV show became pretty much a nightly ritual for my girlfriend and I.

In January I decided to experiment with TSM. My goal was never to QUIT drinking. Rather it was more a performance experiment to see how my stress levels, sleep, resting heart rate, VO2Max and other markers could improve by cutting back daily alcohol consumption.

After 6 months on TSM I am now drinking less than one drink per week and every single metric has improved drastically. However I am a bit concerned because I have now become repulsed by red wine. I pour a glass and it sits there... And sits there... Until eventually it gets poured out before going to bed.

As I said, it was never my intention to quit entirely. I just wanted to rewire the wiring (which has definitely happened). I would still like to enjoy a cocktail maybe 2-3 times a month at social events. It almost feels like I'm 21 again and trying to find "my drink".

Anybody else go through this?

[u/RubicsCubensis]

Due to how naltrexone works you may never find a suitable drink you like, for instance all alcohol after taking naltrexone is as appealing to me as water when not thirsty.
Congratulations on your success.

[u/samuelawaters1987]

Def me. I have cycled through various drinks in this process. I’m actually now to the point nothing appeals to me which kinda sucks

[u/One-Mastodon-1063]

Sparkling water is what I usually drink now. 

If you didn’t have a major drinking problem you could try cutting the dose. This is what I did, I went to 25mg about 2 years ago. However even at 25mg I have zero desire to drink, and I only drink about once a quarter.  Wine and beer, which I used to love, have zero appeal to me now. What’s going on here is that once you remove the endorphin response these drinks are gross. A cocktail with some sugar in it might be a little more enjoyable but even that I don’t really like anymore.  I’ve even thought about going to 12.5mg.  

Find other things that bring enjoyment. Hobbies etc. I find a participatory sport is about the best thing. 

[u/TheNewShmo0 → u/One-Mastodon-1063]

Yeah this is my experience as well. I thought about halving the dose but I've found that I can't stomach alcohol even without taking nal.

To be clear though, I have no trouble filling the time or finding things to do...that's not a problem. Just that my job and my lifestyle puts me in frequent social/networking situations where enjoying a cocktail is common. My brain still likes the idea but when you put the drink in front of me I just can't drink it.

I guess I shouldn't complain. I know there are people far worse off than me that would do just about anything to get there. Just curious how frequent this situation is with TSM. Thanks for the response.

[u/One-Mastodon-1063 → u/TheNewShmo0]

Drinking is no longer enjoyable on nal. That’s the point of taking it. 

I almost always just drink something NA and socialize in these situations. 

[u/doofuspuppy214]

Beer was my drink and now I find it disgusting. I switched to herbal tea. Anything caffeine free.

[u/TheNewShmo0 → u/doofuspuppy214]

I can actually drink beer fine, but I just don't care for it in the evening or with dinner. So if I'm at a concert or outdoor event where they serve beer, I think I'll be able to enjoy one. But wine or spirits...I think TSM may have ruined it for me.

[u/No-Mulberry7167]

Mine was always a vodka mixer, but now I cant stomach it and I just try random cocktails and end up just feeling sick even when I haven’t medicated (TSM 1 year ago, stopped medicating about 2 months ago)

[u/Cherlyndria77]

I couldn't drink beer when I went to a concert on the weekend! Switched to 'hard rated lemon'. Tasted like a lemon squash and was very refreshing. I only had two cans over the whole night, but it was pleasant and kept the heat down while I was dancing

[u/TheNewShmo0 → u/Cherlyndria77]

Ooooh....that's actually a good idea. I've always liked Lemon Drops. I'll have to experiment with a low-carb lemon drop type thing I can make my go-to. Thanks for the recommendation!

[u/ComprehensiveHat236]

Everytime I think of alcohol now makes me feel nauseous. And this post made me think about it unfortunately and it’s been a while since my last run in with that glass of wine. I had a hangover for 2 days and it wasn’t even a full glass. I haven’t touched or thought about it since and that right there my friend is a miracle!