The Sinclair method- anyone with experience?

Abstinence for so many people is hard or impossible.  The Sinclair Method is scientifically proven to help block the pleasure receptors in the brain from enjoying alcohol. It seems absolutely counter intuitive, but as you read and understand the science, you begin to realize that it is a completely different solution to our problem.  When you look at all the failed alcohol rehab experiences of celebrities and others, it seems likely that you would look outside the box at something different.  I've read the success stories and the failed attempts.  After many years of alcohol impacting my marriage, I decided to try this.  It seems to be having a different effect than anything else I've tried.  I've come out of the shadows with my husband as far as how much I drink.  And, I don't drink in secret anymore.  We're on this path to recovery together and I feel like it just might be the last time I have a problem with alcohol.  I know I'm early on my path, but I believe this is my saving grace. Three drinks and being coherent vs many more and being an ugly shrew.  I'll take it for now and pray it gets me there. 

It's mainly because the studies show that in the long run taking Naltrexone every day for abstinence doesn't work much better (in some studies it works worse) than placebo. That being said, just as some do fine with AA, some do fine with taking Naltrexone while remaining abstinent. 

The Sinclair Method is more for people that are currently drinking and can't manage to quit or stay quit, so instead of getting sobriety up front, they work on slow reduction and get it after a number of months (wanting to drink less and less along the way). TSM also has a success rate of 78%, so people find that attractive too. 

So what you're doing isn't The Sinclair Method, but if for some reason Naltrexone doesn't stop you from drinking, it would be easy enough to switch to taking the Naltrexone an hour before your first drink of the day and not take it on days you don't drink (so your endorphins can rebound in response to healthy activities like exercise).

But while Naltrexone is helping you stay dry, ride with it and enjoy not being ruled by the bottle. Some just approach it from a different angle is all, just like Acamprosate works better for some than Naltrexone or Selincro. 

Hi John, You sound angry..please don't be. In my area Naltrezone is prescribed as a daily tablet mainly for abstinence from alcohol. That is the only way you can be prescribed it. Personally I wanted to try The Sinclair Method as I was hoping to be able to drink at times socially. It has worked well for me taking the medication via this method. My intake has dramatically reduced but more importantly my continual desire for alcohol has gone. That said most people at The Recovery centre are prescribed and taking Naltrexone daily like you. They too, like you, want to abstain and drink no more. This works for them and I am sure it will work for you too if this is your chosen path...as long as you take the tablet daily as prescribed. I don't think anyone on here is deliberately trying to say The Sinclair Method is the only method...I think the discussion is about the varied options and many of us have asked for TSM to be explained etc. Well done you! You have embarked on your recovery journey and I am sure you will continue to abstain as you sound determined now once you made YOUR personal decision. All the very best o you! X

Hi Langwa

I can see where you are coming from. 29 days is a great achievement, by all means continue with this, its clearly working for you. My Husband was dry for 2 years, but unfortunately a bit of a crisis set him off again.

What I am trying to say in my clumsy way is that TSM is there should you need it.

My Husband started TSM in March. After years of being hospitalized, frankly close to death, he hasn't looked back. TSM gives hope, when all else has failed.

Kindest Regards

JulieAnne x

Very well put. X

Great post Sheryl - full of hope and new life.

Thanks

G.

So after six weeks on TSM, I'm out to dinner with a friend and I'm quite conscious of what time I will leave the restaurant and what time I'll get home to be able to have a drink. (I won't drink and drive, not even one).  So I time my Naltrexone and honestly, the minute I got home, I opened a bottle and poured a glass of wine.  I changed my clothes, texted my sister, finally sat down and saw my wine.  It had been at least ten minutes and that, for me, was a first!  As I drank the bottle across three hours, I noticed that if I set my glass just out of view, I would drink it more slowly.  I am becoming more conscious of my drinking.  I notice that I will drink anything in front of me, quickly.  If I put alcohol just outside of my peripheral view, I don't want or need it as much.  I believe the Naltrexone helps to give me that control.  Cheers to manageable social drinking!  Blessings to all of us on this journey!

Brilliant observation and very glad to hear of your results, Sheryl!

Great - hope you enjoyed your time out with friend

I too do that with my glass of wine, instead of putting it next to me, I put it in a cupboard, then forget it, then take a sip and put it back.  It lasts me ages.

It is all about tricking the brain for me, tiny sips make it go so much further and last longer - and I feel great each morning. 

Good luck for all on our journey and keep smiling ..............G.

Gwen, that is so smart, I need to put my glass farther away and maybe out of sight.  I don't remember your story and how long you've been working the program.  Is it TSM?  Every post I see about this program gives me more hope for my happier future.  And, it seems so many do not have access to the medication.  I don't take the hours it would take to figure out each individual, maybe I should, but the gist of my story revolves around Naltrexone and the Sinclair Method.  I guardedly say that it seems to be changing my habits.  Yay!

I'll second that, Sheryl. I'd open my beer and take a sip, then put it back in the fridge and get up to some small task before I took another sip. I'd forget about that beer for longer and longer, it's a good technique! 

Also, switch to a NA drink when you're watching the tube or talking on the phone. Those are two times when many tend to drink at a faster rate. 

Hi Sheryl - yes put the glass in a lil ole hiding place lol.  My cupboard is under the TV and I get to forget it if something is on which I like.  I can usually quite happily down my first glass of wine "in one", then move to the next and so on until I have quaffed 2 bottles. 

I have been tapering down now for several months; from 20 units a night to 2 units Monday to Friday.  I tapered very slowly and have had no ill effects - apart from lack of sleep.  I have a bottle on Saturday and Sunday in order to get some zzzzz's.  Tonight, however, I am going for the 2 units again and tomorrow I will do the same.  That will be 14 units in a week.  I am surprisingly chipper on only a couple of hours of sleep each night - maybe because I eat really healthy.  But it is sooo nice to wake and not get the "AA's" that to me is the Alcohol Anxieties due to me being ashamed and it gives me a jolt in my stomach and makes my anxiety go on a bender!!

I am not on medication - my doc had never heard of TSM nor the meds and was not interested when I explained it and she said she did not like the sound of it!!  Thanks doc for nothing.

So after being on this forum and listening to all the wise words, I knew that I could obtain the meds privately if need be.  I also know that it is my back up if I fail.

I am also pretty stubborn if told that I won't be able to do something- I will go all out to prove that wrong - and almost always win.  So that is  my plan here, so far I am winning.  That is not to say I have not cheated here and there with blips; yes I may get a brilliant night's sleep and feel like a young sprightly spring chicken - no laughing please - but then I am angry that I have put my poor liver and internal organs through this rubbish hell again.  That is what  makes me get back on to my little weeny bottle pronto.

It is 4pm here and hubs is watching his usual Saturday footie - he has just cracked open a can before I cook.  He asked me if I wanted one or a glass of wine - usually I would say - yes please - but I am sticking to my 2 units and I have bought some chocolate buttons (I know very grown up) for me to nibble on after my wine - coz wine after choccy tastes yuk lol lol.

Bit long winded this one guys - but just wanted Sheryl to know how I am managing this.

All the best to all of you and to those we have not heard of for a while, thinking of you all.

Gwen

Are you just managing to do this without the pills? God I wish I could. Sending you blessings Helen x

Hi... I live in india....35yrs age..I have read the book “cure of alcoholism”

I am in third week of TSM.

First week I had 44drinks

Second week I had 45drinks

Yesterday the start of third week I have 12drinks.

Feels like cravings are almost the same and drank like almost the same as before starting TSM ..May be a bit more.

I Wonder if this is normal?

A bit anxious and doubtful at the moment.

However I am surely going to stick with the pill for six month. Didn’t found any problem with compliance. Not much side effects from Naltrexone.

Had Anybody reading this post and success with TSM gone through the same two weeks of excessive drinking.

I Will keep sharing my experience.

 

I am missing seconds long

Would like to here from sharon07214

As Sharon started TSM Journey while on this blog.

Thanks

Hi,

Yes this is quite normal.

Remember that the treatment is a partnership between the naltrexone and you.

Be mindful when you drink and when you get the signal that maybe you have had enough, interrupt the drinking.  Put the drink down and do something else for a short time.  If you then want a drink again later, you can do so, of course.  But you are basically looking to answer the craving with the naltrexone, followed by a drink an hour later..... and then questioning whether you really have a need to continue drinking or not.

This is a process than can take some time, often between 4 and 12 months.  It can't be hurried, so just remain compliant to taking the pill an hour before each drinking session, and start looking at ways to begin chipping away at your old drinking habits.

Thank you for your advice. 

Hi Joanna

Its six weeks I am on TSM

1st week -44 drinks - 0 AF Day

2nd- 44 drinks - 1 AF DAY

3rd-36 drinks - 2 AF DAY

4th - 34 drinks - 2 AF Days

5th - 41 drinks - 1AF Day

6th - 46drinks - 0 AF Day

Wondering If i am a very slow responder or TSM not working at all!!

Although only change I notice is I am drinking slowly than before TSM Days.

As I read TSM works on 78% only.

Please can you tell me is there any reason for why TSM don’t work on rest 22% alcoholics?

I have never missed taking naltrexone 1hr before drinking alcohol.

Wondering if I am one among those 22%.

Very Tough time.

Hi,

TSM is a process that can take months to work, so at 6 weeks in you are still very new to the process. The fact that you are drinking slower is a good sign.  Do remember that this treatment is a partnership between you and the naltrexone, meaning that as well as ensuring you are compliant (which is great that you are) you also should look to start learning to notice when you get that satisfied and then acting on it by putting the drink down, or alternating with soft drinks etc etc - basically you are looking to use the naltrexone and start to interrupt the habitual part of your drinking.

In terms of the 22%, around half of those didn't always comply to taking the tablet and waiting the time on every single drinking occassion, or they had to stop the naltrexone due to side effects for example.  It is thought the percentage of people that this treatment doesn't medically work for is around the 10% mark.

So, remain compliant, actively work towards interrupting your drinking as early as you can and you will find that the chances or this working for you is really 88-90%.

nikhil, I'll echo what Joanna wrote. It's a bit early and not everyone responds to TSM the same way, some indeed do take longer. 6 weeks isn't long enough to tell you whether it's working or not.

Using habit-breaking techniques can help considerably:

1. Don't keep your drink close to you. Keep a non-alcoholic drink close to you, but keep your (wine, beer, etc.) in a different room so it's more difficult to sip automatically. In other words, try pushing back against the habit. 

2. Note that some get an immediate reduction in their drinking and some do not. It can take a couple of months before drinking levels begin to drop and even then, it's natural for your drinking levels to go up and down week by week. 

3. Someone recently posted that waiting 2 hours after taking the pill worked better for those that didn't seem to be doing as well with TSM, so you might try that too. Also, wait until you actually crave a drink to take the pill rather than simply taking it at a set time every drinking day. 

 

 

Thank you joanna, adefree.

Working on your suggestions