Eskapa's Book, The Cure for Alcoholism

[Virgil]

Eskapa's Book, The Cure for Alcoholism

Hi Folks,

Living in the UK, I am unable to obtain this book from my usual supplier - Amazon UK. And that's despite the fact that the book was published last September! So, it is with great interest that I have read the posts in this thread. I'd still like to get my hands on a copy of the book, though. Guess I'll just have to be patient.

Virgil

[SpringerRider]

Eskapa's Book, The Cure for Alcoholism

Virgil;537728 wrote: Hi Folks,

Living in the UK, I am unable to obtain this book from my usual supplier - Amazon UK. And that's despite the fact that the book was published last September!
Virgil

Hi Virg,
I posted a link to the PODcast somewhere in this forum. Listen to it and you will get the gist of the program.

[SpringerRider]

Eskapa's Book, The Cure for Alcoholism

beatle;537410 wrote: Do you mean to discuss the book, or the Sinclair method? I, for one haven't read the book, although I've read and heard a good deal about the Sinclair method. Does that mean I should butt out?

I had a question or two about some particular statement in the book and I was not sure where to pose the question. Therefore I started a new thread. As far as I am concerned, the book is abou the Sinclair method so by extension, discussions about the Sinclair method in pronciple would be fine. Discussions about Sinclair in practice are already being discussed in other threads and would better be served there.

[A Work in Progress]

Eskapa's Book, The Cure for Alcoholism

Oh well... I kept meaning to tell you, but forgetting to do so, SR: I like your avatar and name!

I used to ride a Sportster... but that has nothing to do with the book, or the method, or how well it is working out for y'all... so I'd better start a new thread!

p.s., just a little joke... of course these threads, like you said, have lives of their own!

[SpringerRider]

Eskapa's Book, The Cure for Alcoholism

A Work in Progress;537787 wrote: Oh well... I kept meaning to tell you, but forgetting to do so, SR: I like your avatar and name!

I used to ride a Sportster... but that has nothing to do with the book, or the method, or how well it is working out for y'all... so I'd better start a new thread!

I am solely responsible for my thoughts, my actions, and my reactions.

Well I thank you for that. Glad to meet another Harley lover. It is the last of my mid-crises. But to the twist the thread another knotch, I need to question your tag-line. I agree that you are responsible for all your actions but I am not so sure about "thoughts". How do you know what thoughts you are going to have until you think them? What will be your thought on Feb. 12, 7:28:32 PM?

Now in the purest sense, assuming you are not a transcendentalist, you are responsible for your thoughts since they have eminated from you but do you truly control them? This is more than a sophism. Many feel guilty about the nature of their thoughts, rather than trying to understand the nature of them.

[A Work in Progress]

Eskapa's Book, The Cure for Alcoholism

Good question, SR. We are not responsible for thoughts spontaneously arising; the brain is a sort of thought-generating apparatus, always spitting out all kinds of thoughts. However, we are responsible for deliberately thinking about something in particular, and for carrying on, elaborating, or dwelling on any train of thought that is non-productive or self-destructive. Most people, unfortunately, feel that they are the victims of their thoughts (and urges, impulses, memories, etc.); the truth is that we CAN learn to direct, and re-direct, our attention away from thoughts that are distorted and actually dangerous... into another direction. That is one of the fundamental understandings of cognitive therapy: thoughts are powerful, and not all of them are worth believing or paying attention to...

[Virgil]

Eskapa's Book, The Cure for Alcoholism

SpringerRider;537756 wrote: Hi Virg,
I posted a link to the PODcast somewhere in this forum. Listen to it and you will get the gist of the program.

SR, many thanks. I have now listened to the PODcast and it sounds very interesting. I have also managed to order a copy of the book that started this thread. I now need to convince a GP/Psychiatrist to prescribe Naltrexone for me. That could be easier said than done but I shall persevere. It is perhaps fortunate that The Times newspaper (online) carried a very recent article on this subject so I'm gathering up my evidence for the case at present. If anyone is interested in the article, it can be found at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/lif...cle5484285.ece.

Virgil

[lenaleed]

Eskapa's Book, The Cure for Alcoholism

Hi Virgil -- I think Marbella , who lives in Spain, got the book from Amazon UK.

I want to say a quick "thank you" to Nancy and most everyone on our thread for your kindness and respect for those of us who have chosen to follow the Sinclair Method as outlined in Eskapa's book. Most of your questions are answered in the book. One comment here that has gone unchallenged is the science behind the method. The clinical trials are not "preliminary" or tenuous or done mostly by Sinclair himself. Seventy-two clinical trials, including double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, done throughout the world, have shown Naltrexone to produce significant benefit for reduced alcohol consumption when used according to Sinclair's protocol (naltroxone+drinking). The largest clinical trial in the history of the study of alcoholism, Project Combine, was published in the May 2006 Journal of the American Medical Association. That study showed naltrexone+ drinking to be effective even without counseling beyond standard medical management. Sinclair's own studies show long term success (self-reported mean of nine drinks per week three years after treatment). I think you'd be right to wonder whether we're a bunch of nuts if all this hard science were absent.

Many of you have correctly pointed out that drinking+naltrexone does not address the mental health issues that led us to abuse alcohol. I find it helpful to see alcohol addiction and mental health as two separate issues. For my drinking I am using the Sinclair Method. I see it as the medication component of My Way Out, taken in the manner shown to be effective. I bought RJ's wonderful book. I take many supplements, work out, follow the diet recommendations and at some point will add the hypnotherapy tapes. I am improving every aspect of my life. Eskapa stresses that those in the care of a mental health professional should continue that care while doing the Sinclair Method. One of Sinclair's studies showed a very large decrease in depression (Beck depression inventory) after three months of naltrexone under the Sinclair protocol. Many of us simply developed a habit after years of repeated daily drinking until we found alcohol was in control. We expect many of our life issues to resolve as we get control of our drinking.

Eskapa's book is not the one advertised on tv. That book, with a similar title, is by the guy who owns passages/Malibu, and does not use the Sinclair Method. He seems very earnest and his clinic looks like paradise but I do know anything more about him. Neither Eskapa nor Sinclair stand to get rich on this method. Neither Eskapa nor Sinclair have a website, let alone a rehab clinic. A Florida clinic purports to use the Sinclair method for a few thousand bucks. Sinclair does not own that clinic. Eskapa has a paperback book out of a small publishing house. On the other hand, one doesn't need a vivid imagination to perceive how this book and the Sinclair Method must be viewed by the Establishment of substance abuse treatment.

It is certainly possible to follow the Sinclair Method without using Eskapa's book. I find the book helpful because it answers many of the very questions you all have asked. Knowledge is power.

Here's a link to the podcast if you haven't heard it: #64 - The Sinclair Method for Treating Addiction Podcast Episode

Sinclair is certainly not the only way. So many on this site have found their way out without meds. Some report success using Naltrexone as an anti-craving med. Baclofen sounds promising from some clinical trials. Of course there's the ever-popular Topamax. Some find they must abstain; some choose to abstain or to moderate. Some who post here find twelve-step principles helpful. Some have chosen rehab. What I cherish about this site is, inspired by R Jewell's pioneering spirit, we are willing to learn and share and respect one another as we each find our own way.

Thanks again to those of you posting on this thread for your interest and support. I wish you all well as you find and follow your way out. - Lena

[A Work in Progress]

Eskapa's Book, The Cure for Alcoholism

I dunno, Lenaleed, I have done literature searches trying to find solid, peer-reviewed research in mainstream journals, using the Sinclair method, and I just am not seeing them. The most recent review articles in the major journals do talk about Naltrexone, but do not mention anything about this particular method, at all. I did find one aside in one article (or maybe it was a letter to the editor), and it was not favorable to Dr. Sinclair because of the fact that he is applying for patents on his method (not typical among scientists), and, to some, seems to be engaged in more self-promotion than in legitimate research.

I admit I have not read the book, but I would be interested in looking at the list of references, if I saw the book. Do you have any cites to actual published journal articles? I have seen his published rat studies, but no published studies involving human trials.

[lenaleed]

Eskapa's Book, The Cure for Alcoholism

The studies do not identify the Sinclair Method by name. Sinclair himself is the author of only a few of the trials. One is "Naltrexone for Alcohol Dependence: Double-blind, placebo-controlled Finnish trial" published in Alcoholism:Clinical and Experimental Research 23:46A. There's seventy or so more. I hate typing. I provided a link to Project COMBINE, published in JAMA. Half of Eskapa's book discusses the published studies. The book has exhaustive bibliography and references, including cites to peer-reviewed publications. I'm not hawking the book, but you seem truly interested in the scientific basis for the Sinclair Method so it might make a good read for you.

Sinclair was awarded the patent in 1989 in behalf of his Finnish employer, Alko (the national alcohol monoply ,which spent copious funds on alcohol dependence research). Finland has a national health system so Sinclair did not stand to get rich from the patent.

If I keep going I'll have to just transcribe the whole book and I hate typing. Can't you just google naltrexone trials?? Seriously I'm glad you're interested. -- Lena

[A Work in Progress]

Eskapa's Book, The Cure for Alcoholism

lenaleed;537941 wrote: The studies do not identify the Sinclair Method by name. Sinclair himself is the author of only a few of the trials. One is "Naltrexone for Alcohol Dependence: Double-blind, placebo-controlled Finnish trial" published in Alcoholism:Clinical and Experimental Research 23:46A. There's seventy or so more. I hate typing. I provided a link to Project COMBINE, published in JAMA. Half of Eskapa's book discusses the published studies. The book has exhaustive bibliography and references, including cites to peer-reviewed publications. I'm not hawking the book, but you seem truly interested in the scientific basis for the Sinclair Method so it might make a good read for you.

Sinclair was awarded the patent in 1989 in behalf of his Finnish employer, Alko (the national alcohol monoply ,which spent copious funds on alcohol dependence research). Finland has a national health system so Sinclair did not stand to get rich from the patent.

If I keep going I'll have to just transcribe the whole book and I hate typing. Can't you just google naltrexone trials?? Seriously I'm glad you're interested. -- Lena

Lena, I'm not using Google, and I am not using "Sinclair Method" as the search term. I used our university research software (Proquest, and others) to look up everything I could find about human trials using naltrexone for alcoholism treatment.... and read the journal articles, themselves, and especially the meta-analyses and review articles. I haven't seen any articles based on human trials in which participants were asked to continue drinking while using naltrexone, with control groups of other humans who were either given other interventions, or no treatment. I have seen the articles that came out of the COMBINE study, of course, but they do not really address this particular method of treatment, at least so far as I have been able to find.

I'll look again and see if I can get ahold of the Sinclair article that you cited, the one in the journal "Alcoholism." Maybe I will have to try to get this book by inter-library loan. Thanks.

[bloggy]

Eskapa's Book, The Cure for Alcoholism

Hi All

For anyone trying to get the book in Europe- for some reason it is still not available from Amazon.co.uk, but if you order it from Amazon.com, they actually send it from Germany, so it doesn't take too long.

Mine took about 10 days to reach me in Spain- if the package comes from the US it generally takes between 3 and 6 weeks to reach me here, so I was quite happy with the 10 days!

To the UK it might even be less...

[lenaleed]

Eskapa's Book, The Cure for Alcoholism

Work -- I assumed you were not googling. Dry humor attempt. I'm grateful you want to investigate. I understand that citing to peer-reviewed literature has the potential to be as much art as it is science. Rather like using statistics. As you look, you will see studies (I recall seeing one in the new England Journal of Medicine) that shows naltrexone not efficacious for abstinence. COMBINE reported subjects who were not able to abstain on naltrexone had a better outcome for eventual reduction in drinking than abstainers. Eskapa does not recommend naltrexone for those wanting to achieve immediate abstinence (i.e. anti-craving).

There's a book I've not read by Amieson, a physician who chronicles his own success with baclofen. There seems to be a limited number of published studies on the efficacy of that drug but anecdotes seem promising. If you encounter any peer-reviewed literature on baclofen, we would benefit from that. A few members on this site have reported success with baclofen-assisted abstinence. I'd be interested to hear if you happen to run into anything about that. I can't use baclofen (or topa) but others might find it works for them.

[A Work in Progress]

Eskapa's Book, The Cure for Alcoholism

lenaleed;537981 wrote: Work -- I assumed you were not googling. Dry humor attempt.

Ooops! Sorry! Missed the humor...

Yes, I have seen several of the studies saying Naltrexone is not a great drug for abstinence, and/but that patients using Naltrexone do seem to significantly reduce their alcohol consumption, at least over the trial periods of a couple of months or so. (And from what I have seen, I think the literature is fairly solidly coming to the conclusion that Naltrexone is not really a good anti-craving drug.) But I thought that it was being claimed that there were numerous double-blind, human trials (with control groups) using this "Sinclair method" of instructing people to drink while using Naltrexone... I am not seeing any of those.

I had a look, a while back. at some reviews and reports about the Amieson book, too. As I recall, he used extremely high dosages on himself, right? I will post something if I run across anything interesting (pro or con) about that approach.

[lenaleed]

Eskapa's Book, The Cure for Alcoholism

BTW, the Sinclair cite is from 1999. Here's one that goes to the heart of the matter (I actually read the article) Agosti, V. The efficacy of treatment in reducing alcohol consumption: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Addictions 30:1067-1077 (1995). I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this one.

Lena