I’d say in the first 3 months or so, I didn’t fall off the wagon as such, more I could definitely eat a lot more and drink a lot more, I had quite a few memorable and drunken social events, but the drug helped me get right back on the wagon the next day, I suspect part of your issue was you stayed in 5mg for 3 months, so were more and more simply using will power, you were not at your optimal dose.
the 2.5s are effectively half doses to help us move up, 5, 10, and 15 being the full doses. So you were on the lowest therapeutic dose for quite some time, which does work for many people if it’s their optimal dose, but not for others.
The manufacturers, who let’s face it, know this drug inside out and back to front, the testing alone takes 15 years, recommend moving up at a minimum monthly (could be longer) till you find your optimal dose, which is the one below the one you can’t tolerate.
but you know when you get there. For me it was 10mg, and I was lucky to do this before the price hikes came in, the effect of the drug was 24/7 and I stayed on that for many months, I’m over a year in, lost 6.5 stone, and in maintenance for the last 3 months. I’m now back down to 5mg, after titrating down to 7,5 and slowly increasing my cals my 100 odd a week, the increase in cals and the reduction in the meds, has seen the effect be identical to 10, I’m fully in control. And will now stay on 5mg for maintenance.
so I’d recommend listening to your body, don’t stay too long on a dose where deep down you know you’re now relying on will power mainly, as it is just a waste of money, and you will struggle, and then feel guilty, get to your goal in the way that works for your body, then titrate down, and undertake whatever maintenance plan works for you and your pocket. Good luck