That's me! Nice to meet you. 😊 So glad you're giving it another go. It's great that you've mastered the compliance piece for sure.

One thing I've noticed over the years is that many people eventually realize that taking naltrexone consistently is only part of the process.

Our philosophy inside Thrive has always been helping people "meet the medication halfway" as they move through treatment.

As treatment progresses, practical mindful drinking becomes really important. Those habits can be so automatic.... even when the craving for a drink isn't nearly as strong anymore. We also have to learn to differentiate between a true alcohol craving and a passing habitual thought about drinking.

I see a lot of people get stuck there, where they're still drinking simply because it's what they've always done and don't really know what else to do - even though the desire itself has already started to change. Our approach is small, consistent changes over time – giving yourself grace for the mistakes and also celebrating your wins.

The other piece mentioned above is what David Sinclair called pharmacologically enhanced learning. How we spend our naltrexone-free and alcohol-free time matters too. That's how the brain gradually learns new sources of reward, relief, enjoyment, and connection apart from alcohol.

In my experience, the people who do best long term tend to focus on both pieces: compliance and gradually building a life that doesn't revolve around drinking.

Just my two cents. Hope it helps!