The Sinclair Method

What Is The Sinclair Method?

The Sinclair Method (TSM) is a treatment option for those who have difficulty drinking in moderation and are not interested in quitting drinking altogether. 

The method is designed to gradually reduce drinking levels without the need to stop drinking alcohol altogether. 

TSM has a success rate of 78 per cent and is a practical and affordable option for a long-term resolution. Also, TSM mainly involves taking medication before drinking alcohol so you can fulfil the treatment from the comfort of your own home. 

The main issue with the Sinclair Method, however, is it is only suitable for people who are not drinking dangerous amounts of alcohol. If you are drinking an amount that could risk alcohol poisoning or risk your life, then a doctor will likely refuse to treat you.

The Sinclair Method in the UK

Although it started in the USA, the Sinclair Method is becoming popular in the UK. The NHS can offer Naltrexone on prescription, but actual cases of being prescribed any medication are low. You can buy Naltrexone on prescription from a private doctor or at a clinic in the UK. Accompanied by counselling online or in person, it can be very effective.

What Does The TSM Medication Do?

The TSM medication works by blocking the brain’s dopamine receptors, which reduces the pleasurable effects of alcohol. Over time, the brain will learn to associate drinking with a less pleasant experience, which can lead to reduced drinking levels. 

The Sinclair Method not only helps people quit drinking completely but also enables them to learn how to drink moderately, making it a flexible and realistic option for long-term recovery. 

The TSM is currently gaining traction in the US and is fast becoming a popular and effective alternative to traditional abstinence-based treatments in the UK.

How Does The Sinclair Method Work?

The Sinclair Method obstructs the reinforcement or reward processes that we experience through alcohol consumption, which can help us unlearn addictive behaviours surrounding alcohol.

The bond between humans and alcohol happens all over the body, but most of the physiological changes occur through our brain chemistry. When we drink alcohol, we release endorphins, which make us feel good. 

Over time, our body begins to recognise alcohol as pleasurable, and the forming of that bond begins to take place. Forming a bond with alcohol can become an issue quickly, as it can lead to adverse effects on your health, lifestyle, and livelihood. 

If alcohol is an issue for you or someone close, then breaking that bond is essential; this is when The Sinclair method can help.  

One way of stopping endorphins from activating is through medication called Naltrexone. 

Clients who take the TSM treatment are required to take one dose of Naltrexone an hour before consuming alcohol to curb excessive alcohol consumption. Naltrexone will ensure the body receives no pleasure from drinking. So, the body will begin to perceive alcohol as a resource, no longer viable, in its ongoing search for pleasure.

What Is Naltrexone?

Naltrexone is a non-addictive opioid blocker that has been treating opioid addiction since the 1980s. 

To put it simply, Naltrexone is the pill that takes the pleasure out of drinking and, in effect, makes it a less satisfying experience, which then enables the body to release itself from the grip of addiction gradually.

Naltrexone won’t stop your drinking altogether, but it will help you reduce your alcohol consumption, helping you restore balance to your lifestyle and providing you with more energy to do other things that have the potential to bring different kinds of pleasure. 

What Can I Expect from The Sinclair Method?

If you are interested in trying the TSM treatment with the guidance of a doctor, whether it is for you or someone close, then here is what you can expect –

The Sinclair Method treatment involves taking a medication called Naltrexone one hour before you plan to start drinking. You then drink as you usually would. 

Once the treatment is underway, you will begin to notice changes happening in your relationship with alcohol, as Naltrexone has blocked the pleasurable effects of alcohol. 

If you want to feel the benefits of TSM, then you must stay consistent with medication by continuing to take Naltrexone one hour before consuming alcohol. Over time, you will start to desire alcohol less and less as the treatment goes on. 

Overall, we have had reports from clients that they have managed to curb their alcohol consumption down to a moderate rate and are now able to enjoy alcohol without feeling the need to have it every day. Other clients have even reported that they have no desire to drink alcohol at all.

Alcohol Detox and Naltrexone

While Naltrexone has a strong influence in reducing our alcohol cravings, it can’t shoulder all of the responsibility. Here are a few things you can do to help you move further away from alcohol dependence – 

1. Managing any triggers and temptations you may have day-to-day. Some people find it helpful to keep a drinking journal to record triggers, what they drank, how they felt and any general feelings they may have on their journey to recovery. 
2. Identifying any underlying issues that may have helped form your addiction, like mental health, genetics, childhood experiences or taking note of any challenges or significant emotional events in life. Speaking to your GP about a therapist may help you unearth aspects of your life that could help long-term recovery.
3. To be open to learning different kinds of coping techniques to find the one that benefits you the most. Finding the most effective coping mechanism for cravings can provide you with a healthier lifestyle, as you are less likely to stress about anticipating cravings or stress about how to cope with temptations when they arise. 
4. Being open and honest when communicating with friends and family, especially when discussing how you feel about your recovery journey and how you think it is going. Rehab Guide also recommend letting family members know when you are making any changes to your day-to-day life, ensuring friends and family can support you accordingly.

The truth is there is no treatment for addiction to alcohol and drugs that medication alone can solve. Instead, Rehab Guide recommends coinciding medication with other treatments, such as counselling, whether that be one-on-one or in a group setting. 

We feel it is vital to arrange meetings with an addiction counsellor, who can provide a safe space to talk through the potential causes of addiction and help you understand addiction more by learning new coping mechanisms for those moments of temptation. 

How Long Does The Sinclair Method Last?

It is important to note that the Sinclair Method can take different amounts of time for different people. While some of you may experience an immediate reduction in alcohol cravings after your first time drinking on naltrexone, others may take longer to see progress. 

However, most of those who follow TSM will eventually lose interest in drinking alcohol in excess and are instead able to maintain a moderate drinking level long-term or full-on abstinence. 

The process of TSM can take anywhere from a few months to a year or more, depending on the individual.

If you are currently on TSM medication or are on the cusp of taking it, it is essential to remember that for The Sinclair Method to work, you must take your medication one hour before 

consuming alcohol of any kind, or else it will not work. 

Can Alcoholics Drink in Moderation?

One of the main pulls of The Sinclair Method is the high success rate of people with an addiction reducing their drinking to a moderate level or stopping their drinking altogether. 

If clients consistently take naltrexone as directed, it is possible to drink moderately, which is why many people choose TSM.

Medications and other means of discipline will help you reset your relationship with alcohol and regain a sense of choice. 

However, many people drink too much because they are self-medicating to deal with issues in their lives. If you are replacing genuine happiness and fulfilment with chemically induced pleasure from alcohol, Naltrexone can break this cycle by removing the enjoyment of alcohol. It does not last forever, though, so if you drink again after you have completed your Naltrexone, the cycle will repeat itself.

Does The Sinclair Method Work?

Many of our clients who stick with the Sinclair Method for long enough begin to lose interest in alcohol. In fact, around one-quarter of those on TSM become completely abstinent from drinking.

If you are reading this, you may be a bit sceptical about the TSM’s ability to change your life or the life of someone you care about; this is normal. At Rehab Guide, we know all too well how strong the effects of addiction can be and how it can render us hopeless and without any glimpse of escape. But, the statistics do not lie, and the TSM has proven itself over and over again to be a treatment that is worth trying.

Can I Do The Sinclair Method On My Own?

While it may be achievable for some people to try The Sinclair Method (TSM) on their own, for most people, it is helpful to have some kind of supervision and support. 

TSM is a long process that needs strong self-discipline to have any kind of success. Reports suggest that those with coaching support and professional medical advice have higher success rates.

With Rehab Guide, you can get the guidance and support you need to complete the TSM program. Our professional and experienced support staff have many years in addiction services and can help you stay disciplined, positive, and patient throughout your recovery journey.

How Do I Find Out More About TSM?

If you are interested in finding out more about TSM and other effective treatments, whether it be in your local area or beyond, then please contact our support team now.

Our experienced staff at Rehab Guide are available by phone twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Our website also has an online chat option and an email address for those who wish to refrain from speaking on the phone.