Sinclair Method Partnership to End Addiction

Since alcohol misuse can be highly complex, pursuing a comprehensive treatment plan can help enhance our overall health and promote long-term sobriety. Research suggests that it can be very effective in helping people reduce their drinking. According to Sinclair’s research, the use of naltrexone to treat alcohol use disorder can have a 78% efficacy rate. While some people feel an immediate reduction in alcohol cravings after their first time drinking on naltrexone, it’s usually a gradual process that can take anywhere from a few months to a year.

of Thrive members noticed a reduction in their drinking within the first week on the treatment

This method has the unique characteristic of allowing people with AUD to consume alcohol while taking naltrexone. This differs from conventional AUD treatments, which promote total abstinence from the very beginning of starting treatment. Many people use TSM to reduce drinking gradually until they naturally reach abstinence. If you prefer to quit drinking right away, talk with your doctor about using naltrexone with abstinence instead. If you’re interested in trying the Sinclair Method, you should talk to a doctor or medical professional. They can help you assess your current drinking behavior, medical history, and treatment goals.

Clinical Trials and the Success Rate of the Sinclair Method

The Sinclair Method is a clinically tested approach where naltrexone is taken one hour before drinking. Over time, it helps your brain “unlearn” the connection between alcohol and pleasure, leading to reduced cravings and consumption. The Sinclair method is named after Dr. John David Sinclair, a researcher who determined that naltrexone could diminish alcohol-pleasure seeking and its reinforcing effects. When naltrexone is in the body, the dopamine-driven euphoric rush is diminished, which reduces cravings for pleasurable seeking drugs, specifically alcohol and opioids.

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However, with the buildup of the “naltrexone wall”, the desire for a second drink is less than the first, with the hopes that the person stops drinking because their cravings are greatly diminished. A reduction in alcohol consumption can have a drastic and positive impact on physical and mental health and can decrease the likelihood of alcohol related injuries and deaths. Sinclair found that when a person consumes alcohol one hour after taking naltrexone, they don’t get the pleasurable “buzz” from that first drink and, as a result, don’t crave a second or a third drink. Because people feel less pleasure when they drink, they often find it much easier to drink less. When paired with support, naltrexone  helps reduce alcohol use for six months or more, giving you time to build lasting change.

Unlike traditional methods, TSM emphasizes compassion, choice, and science — making it appealing to individuals who may feel alienated by abstinence-only https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/what-is-the-sinclair-method-for-alcohol-addiction-recovery/ models. Learn the Sinclair Method with our library of over 50 step-by-step video lessons, designed to guide you and help transform your drinking at your own pace. Our program is designed to help you navigate this journey, make meaningful progress, and create lasting change—all at your own pace. Understanding Missed DosesIf you frequently forget to take the pill pre-drinking, consider strategies like setting phone reminders, leaving a pill bottle in a visible spot, or a friend/spouse check-in system. Some individuals keep naltrexone in a small travel pill case if they anticipate possible social events. Doesn’t Address All Underlying TriggersWhile TSM can block biochemical cravings, it doesn’t automatically resolve emotional trauma, social triggers, or environmental pressures fueling alcohol misuse.

It’s important to note that TSM may not be suitable for people with certain mental health conditions or those taking medications that interact with naltrexone. Always consult a healthcare provider to review your medical history before starting any new treatment plan. It ranges from mild to severe and includes patterns of alcohol consumption that lead to distress or harm. For many, drinking alcohol becomes habitual — not out of enjoyment, but out of compulsion, emotional dependence, or to avoid withdrawal. Gradual, Natural Decline in ConsumptionBecause the method leverages a behavioral extinction process, changes might feel more natural.

Start Your Medication Targeted

Alcohol misuse can be a complex issue that often requires a comprehensive treatment plan, such as support groups, behavioral therapy, rehab, or alternative treatments like acupuncture. The journey to recovery is personal and varied, but for many, TSM has proven to be a crucial step towards a healthier, more manageable relationship with alcohol. Some argue that the method’s reliance on medication as a treatment mechanism may not address the underlying psychological and emotional factors contributing to AUD.

If someone feels they have reduced cravings and urges to drink alcohol after being on naltrexone, that is considered success. Clinical trials show that naltrexone reduces heavy drinking days and overall alcohol consumption. Naltrexone has been clinically proven to reduce alcohol cravings and consumption while increasing alcohol-free days. Upon joining our online alcohol program, we can refer you to a telemedicine physician for a medication appointment. Critics of TSM have raised ethical concerns regarding the method’s approach to reducing alcohol dependency. The notion of prescribing medication to enable individuals with AUD to continue drinking, albeit in a controlled manner, has sparked debate about the implications of such a strategy.

• However, it’s important to note that TSM, like any treatment, may not be universally effective.
• TSM is supposed to lead to considerable reductions in alcohol intake, with many people seeing noticeable decreases in drinking levels while following the strategy.
• Naltrexone is not a cure for alcohol use disorder, but it can be an aid for people hoping to cut down or totally stop drinking.
• This and other studies underscore naltrexone’s capacity to lessen alcohol cravings, reduce consumption, and slow the progression of drinking behaviors, further validating the pharmacological basis of TSM.
• TSM is a medication-assisted form of treatment to help you drink less or even eventually quit drinking.

These treatments complement the pharmacological benefits Sobriety of naltrexone and concentrate on the psychological and behavioral features of AUD. Regular patient monitoring by healthcare professionals helps them assess the success of treatment and make required changes depending on reaction and development. This is the process of unlearning alcohol cravings by taking naltrexone before drinking. Over time, the brain stops associating alcohol with pleasure, reducing cravings naturally. On the other hand, treating alcohol misuse with medication only can remove someone’s incentive to pursue a comprehensive treatment plan that might include things like behavioral therapy or 12-step programs. It’s important not to view the Sinclair Method as “cure all” for alcohol misuse.

❗ Requires drinking – Since TSM works by breaking the brain’s learned response to alcohol, it requires continued drinking while on the medication. If you want to stop drinking immediately, this method may not be for you. Unlike the Sinclair Method, rehab centers also treat the other side effects of alcoholism, like anxiety and depression. Ultimately, rehabilitation centers offer a more holistic approach to healing from alcohol addiction than simply making alcohol seem less appealing. ATSM is suitable for individuals diagnosed with AUD who have not found success with abstinence-based treatments or are looking for an alternative approach. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine if TSM is appropriate for your situation.