drinking on Naltrexone (sinclair method)

[DrGreg]

drinking on Naltrexone (sinclair method)

But I did want to reply to some of these posts. As a doctor and naltrexone user myself, I can tell that these posts are from people with honest experience. In my personal but short experience (I've only been on naltrexone 1 week) I have reduced my drinking by 50%. Considering my many years of drinking, and my alcolholic genetic history, this is a big deal. I've had no side-effects and look forward to better results and the eventual extinction of this behavior.

To the person whose dr had instructed them to use the naltrexone EVERY day, regardless of alcohol use, I STRONGLY recommend that they do the research and challenge the dr's logic in that recommendation.

IMPORTANT: Naltrexone is successful because it blocks the mu receptors in our brains that respond to the endorphines generated by drinking. Naltrexone doesn't work on the alcohol per se, just on the pleasure responses of alcohol. That is why you are suppose to start your regular drinking about an hour after taking the medicine. If you take naltrexone and then don't drink, then YOU RISK the possibilty of extinguishing OTHER behaviors that produce endorphines like eating, watching tv or even sex.

The sinclair method has been used successfully for years in Europe, it is sad that our so-called medical system is so behind the times and that our physicians are so uneducated as to the benefits.

[DrGreg]

drinking on Naltrexone (sinclair method)

But I did want to reply to some of these posts. As a doctor and naltrexone user myself, I can tell that these posts are from people with honest experience. In my personal but short experience (I've only been on naltrexone 1 week) I have reduced my drinking by 50%. Considering my many years of drinking, and my alcolholic genetic history, this is a big deal. I've had no side-effects and look forward to better results and the eventual extinction of this behavior.

To the person whose dr had instructed them to use the naltrexone EVERY day, regardless of alcohol use, I STRONGLY recommend that they do the research and challenge the dr's logic in that recommendation.

IMPORTANT: Naltrexone is successful because it blocks the mu receptors in our brains that respond to the endorphines generated by drinking. Naltrexone doesn't work on the alcohol per se, just on the pleasure responses of alcohol. That is why you are suppose to start your regular drinking about an hour after taking the medicine. If you take naltrexone and then don't drink, then YOU RISK the possibilty of extinguishing OTHER behaviors that produce endorphines like eating, watching tv or even sex.

The sinclair method has been used successfully for years in Europe, it is sad that our so-called medical system is so behind the times and that our physicians are so uneducated as to the benefits.

[StJude]

drinking on Naltrexone (sinclair method)

DrGreg;1025635 wrote: But I did want to reply to some of these posts. As a doctor and naltrexone user myself, I can tell that these posts are from people with honest experience. In my personal but short experience (I've only been on naltrexone 1 week) I have reduced my drinking by 50%. Considering my many years of drinking, and my alcolholic genetic history, this is a big deal. I've had no side-effects and look forward to better results and the eventual extinction of this behavior.

To the person whose dr had instructed them to use the naltrexone EVERY day, regardless of alcohol use, I STRONGLY recommend that they do the research and challenge the dr's logic in that recommendation.

IMPORTANT: Naltrexone is successful because it blocks the mu receptors in our brains that respond to the endorphines generated by drinking. Naltrexone doesn't work on the alcohol per se, just on the pleasure responses of alcohol. That is why you are suppose to start your regular drinking about an hour after taking the medicine. If you take naltrexone and then don't drink, then YOU RISK the possibilty of extinguishing OTHER behaviors that produce endorphines like eating, watching tv or even sex.

The sinclair method has been used successfully for years in Europe, it is sad that our so-called medical system is so behind the times and that our physicians are so uneducated as to the benefits.

Couldn't have said it better myself. I spend most of my time at the sinclair method (tsm) forum but enjoy checking in here from time to time. I found tsm because of this site so I feel indebted because it no doubt saved my life. Prior to tsm I was a daily very heavy drinker for years, drinking 3+ bottles of wine a day, every day (that's 126 drinks a week). I'd tried AA, therapy, daily outpatient rehab for 6 months, nothing worked and I'd given up, was resigned to eventually drinking myself to death. I'm currently in my 14th week of tsm and am averaging 30 drinks a week with an average of 3-4 alcohol free days/week. I know I'm still relatively early in the process, but I for the first time I have hope that I can achieve my goal of being a healthy and fit person and an occasional responsible drinker who's life is not controlled by alcohol.

[Illuminae]

drinking on Naltrexone (sinclair method)

Hey St. Jude, Excellent to see you over here!!! Also Thanks to Dr. Greg to backing up the science behind how Naltrexone is supposed to be used and how US doctors are so knuckleheaded and behind the times or brainwashed or whatever about how to treat alcoholism. Thanks for being a supporter!!

[Sante]

drinking on Naltrexone (sinclair method)

I was on NAL for nine months, but experienced no relief and no diminishment in my drinking levels. I'm not bashing TSM, because it obviously works for some. But, as the book points out, it doesn't work for everyone.

Sante

[37degrees]

drinking on Naltrexone (sinclair method)

DrGreg;1025635 wrote:

IMPORTANT: Naltrexone is successful because it blocks the mu receptors in our brains that respond to the endorphines generated by drinking. Naltrexone doesn't work on the alcohol per se, just on the pleasure responses of alcohol. That is why you are suppose to start your regular drinking about an hour after taking the medicine. If you take naltrexone and then don't drink, then YOU RISK the possibilty of extinguishing OTHER behaviors that produce endorphines like eating, watching tv or even sex.

The sinclair method has been used successfully for years in Europe, it is sad that our so-called medical system is so behind the times and that our physicians are so uneducated as to the benefits.

Actually, no one really knows how naltrexone treats alcoholism. The TSM assumptions are simplistic and scientifically dubious. For daily drinkers (most alcoholics), TSM entails taking NAL almost every day. Giving its half-life, that's like being on NAL continually.

ALthough NAL does suppress appetite somewhat, I am not aware of data showing changes in TV watching or sex, or other pleasurable behaviors.

From the posts here from international readers, European doctors are no more likely to use TSM for their patients than American ones. And even if they did, why does Finland ("home" of Dr. Sinclair and his method) currently still has one of the highest alcoholism rates in the world?

We should get a good clinical answer on TSM soon. The NAL-equivalent (well,almost) drug nalmefene used in the TSM manner has finished its Phase 3 trials and the results are due to be published in the near future. Leaks so far, such as Alcoholics May Stop at One Drink With Help From Lundbeck Pill - BusinessWeek seem to indicate a positive result.

[osufootball]

drinking on Naltrexone (sinclair method)

Glad for my doctor's in Tulsa, OK

I have been on Naltrexone before and just starting it again. My physician didn't seem to have any problems prescribing the medication but the program outlined for me is abstinence. It hasn't worked before and I always relapse, which brings on the guilt and feeling of failing. I did make it 4 months in AA and on Naltrexone. I am going to try the Sinclair Method. I had never heard of this until researching today. I will keep you all posted on my progress. Love reading all the stories. Gives me hope!!

[Persona]

drinking on Naltrexone (sinclair method)

I did the Sinclair Method for 10 weeks, and I found that in the first week I drank about a third of my usual intake, because I wasn't getting the same 'rush' that you get from drinking without Naltrexone. As the weeks progressed, I found that my drinking went up again and most of the time it stayed at around two thirds of my pre-TSM intake.

After a while it seemed that I forgot how much more enjoyable it was to drink without Naltrexone, and I began to develop a new appreciation for alcohol (with Naltrexone), causing the units to creep back up again.

[Lo0p]

drinking on Naltrexone (sinclair method)

Read these graphs Persona: https://www.mywayout.org/community/f2...tml#post979676

[BrownHairnet]

drinking on Naltrexone (sinclair method)

Naltrexone

I was given Naltrexone and it didn't help me, but maybe I was too far gone...who knows? I then decided to go to a 30 day residential treatment program. The first thing they suggested for cravings was Naltrexone, but after I told them it didn't work for me, they prescribed Topomax. The topo was working great, but I started losing my hair and developed cystic acne. Has anyone else had this outcome on Topo? I stopped taking it (was taking 50 mg daily) and the cravings are back. I am 90+ days abs and am loving my new found freedoms. Prior to this treatment center, I had been sober for 14 years. Would love to go back on the topo, but am reluctant for obvious reasons.

The only way out for me is complete abs, but that is just me.

Thanks for any input on the meds.

[aurora borialis]

drinking on Naltrexone (sinclair method)

Nal has helped me in the past but I despise the side effects. I fell suddenly exhausted when I take it and totally lack any energy. I also just feel generally sick when I take it. It worked better the healthier I was in the past. I am not sure what to do.

[aurora borialis]

drinking on Naltrexone (sinclair method)

I am taking it everyday again and still feel the side effects but am doing it. we will see but it is helping already.

[kaza]

drinking on Naltrexone (sinclair method)

Hi Fickle
My Dr in Australia prescribed Naltrexone and I have been taking it for 8 days - I take 50mg per day.
Kaza

[Heidio]

drinking on Naltrexone (sinclair method)

Can anyone tell me what the five steps in the The cure for alcoholism is? I would love to try the technique but cannot get hold of the book in SA.

Also, any international online pharmacies you can recommend?

[dilettante]

drinking on Naltrexone (sinclair method)

i think i started Nal on march 2010 or so. i posted earlier in a state of euphoria, basically i thought i had it all under greater control, as i was drinking much less., and could go 2-3 days abst.
when i did drink i nearly never missed the dose, although for economy sake, i would sometimes take 25 mg instead of the whole tab. 2 days of 25 mg, then upping it to 50 mg.
But i did drink regularly, almost daily sometimes, but not the 5 drinks or even half bottle that i was capable of. I would stop at 3, or even 2.
more recently (last week) however, i regulary started drinking heavy again. I think i got used to the Nal dose. But after that i stopped again yesterday.
This is what happens- after starting the first drink you feel a bit sick. Its a good idea to hold on to that feeling and eat dinner instead.
but i ended up trying to get rid of the queasy feeling. and to do that i had to down much more than 2 and 3. Once i almost reached half a bottle in a period of 4 hours. But i was watching sport, fooling around with the wife and cooking, and the whole thing was a bit of a wild night. I am a writer, i did end up coming up with 2 or 3 good story ideas.
that actually is the reason i end up drinking most times.. i get into a zone where ideas flow.

Past 2 days have been abstinent, and now i bought a gin bottle, its 10 pm, i don't feel like drinking.
But i took 25 mg Nal, and now i will have to drink.
so i may have a drink even if i want to or not.
This is the only catch -22 situation.
I sometimes feel like drinking at about 10pm or 11 pm (just before dinner) but then in that case i should have had the Nal.
So i take it at 9 pm in anticipation. But sometimes after taking the Nal, i don't feel the urge to drink, (but i should cause of the problems mentioned elsewhere). I thus end up drinking.
If i dont take Nal, and get the urge to drink last minute, i take Nal and then take the drink immediately, which is not a good idea.
All in all, however, it is now one year, and the experience has been very worthwhile.
it was less expensive in the long run, my liver tests show that the various profiles are back to the middle of the range. my weight is less. I am lifting weights and looking better. Even the guy who sells my booze told me that he sees me less and complimented me for cutting down!
The only downside: the wives of my friends tell them why cant they cut down like i did. My friends dont like this! I am invited less to parties, but that works in my new lifestyle.
Lucid thinking takes time to get used to, but its not really that bad.
My stock of Nal is over, and i think i wont buy anymore, so that i cant drink.
That will be the real test.

Some people think that it didnt work for them, i think they would surely be drinking less. And its not that Nal will work on its own, you should want to NOT drink. The Nal makes it much much easier.