Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

[gyco]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

I PRESUME IT MEANS YOU DONT BELONGGGG THATS GOOD,YOUR NOT A DRUNK,dam it tookme a while,i have control, ty gyco

[gyco]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

i remember springer coming into trheads and he was chastised ty

[gyco]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

springer there is an old saying give me a brake what ever works is good

[gyco]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

by the way youhave my so called evil half god this feels gooood

[gyco]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

who are yuo all kiddiinggg

[happy4once]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

Hi About Time,
Glad you have started - congratulations!

(Yes, you go to the very last page to read the latest posts.)

Everyone's reaction to the medication is different - especially the first few weeks. If you are not having any side effects, I'd say that is a major first step. Try to write down your daily units, guage your craving and I also write down any subtle changes I see in my thinking / behaviour.

I'm starting Week 5 today. Pre-sinclair I was 30+ units a week with effort. I've been able to keep it around 17 units since starting with no effort, so I can testify that it really works. However, it doesn't work as quickly for everyone so don't worry about how quickly you get to your goal. Just take the Nal before drinking whenever you drink and you will be fine.

Feel free to check other's progress here: thesinclairmethod.com • Index page

GYCO - are you ok? Just read your posts on General discussion. Please hang in there , everyone here is sending hugs your way.
~Happy

[About Time]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

Update for Happy4once and all

Hey there all Sinclairians -

I was rather sick to my stomach the first week, but it is much better this week. I actually had a meaningful talk with my husband tonight w/o constantly thinking about my wine, but of course as soon as it was over, I popped the cork. He is suspicious of a "cure" while he sees me continue to drink. I try to explain to him that it takes time, but he has been dealing with a drunk mess for 10 years. Last night I became rather aggressive and did not feel myself, but I was drinking. Has anyone else felt that way on Nal? I'm going to keep the hope, but I was a little concerned about my behavior. Best to all - carry on - About time -

[About Time]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

Wow waiting to exhale

When I think about how much time and energy I have spent drinking or trying to obtain it and hide it, I shudder. Just think what I could accomplish if I were no longer in its grip. It's something I fantasize about. I hope it will happen. Best, About Time:new:

WaitingToExhale;579356 wrote: Bob -

I think what Ocean was saying is that she had tried Nal, using it in a different format prior to learning about the SM.

[About Time]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

Hey there - I'm on my second week Of Nal - I'm worried that if I decide to have a Nal free day, I will go into withdrawal and have DTs - I'm out of Klonopin and feel I can't ask my shrink for more. She was skeptical about Topamax, but I was so inspired by the book that she agreed to support me. After I tried it twice with horrible side affects, I went back to full on drinking. I obtained Nal without a scrip. If I have success I think she will prescribe, but I am not ready to ask her. Any withdrawal options without benzos would be welcome. Best to all - About ime

[happy4once]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

About Time - I'm not sure how to respond on this one...I am not at the level that I get DTs if I go AF, so don't have direct experience...I would say stay on the Nal for now, work through the side affects and try to taper back on number of drinks each day if you can before trying to go AF. Especially if you are not working with a doctor, it may be more risky for you to stop completely, but I'm not sure.

Also, come on over to The Sinclair Method forum (thesinclairmethod.com) - we would love to have you and you will get a lot quicker (and more) responses from those who have been through what you are experiencing. A few of us check the thread here though, so you are covered either way. Just more information specific to sinclair over there.

I understand your husband's skepticism...it is a very strange treatment - drink to be cured. However, it really seems to work..and only if you follow Nal + drinking (Nal + no drinking does not work).

The reason I'm doing it is because I've thought I was 'cured' in the past only to go right back to my old drinking patterns as soon as I let myself drink at a party or on vacation. This treatment is a better safeguard, from what I've seen and read, against relapsing - which is what we all want. It takes away those nagging thoughts ("oh, I've stopped drinking for x months, surely I can have one or two now?"). You don't have those thoughts...and if you want to drink after 3 or 4 months of treatment, you will be more likely to stop after 1 or 2. My thoughts have changed dramatically since starting so I am very encouraged.

Re: the aggression. I've had a few brief episodes - nothing like what I experienced with Topamax so I am not too worried about it. May just be initial side affects but something you should definitely watch. Everyone reacts differently to different medications.

Take care!

[About Time]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

Thanks!

I'm going over to thesinclairmethod and sign in. I will try to taper off so I don't have so many alcohol withdrawel symtons. I used to be able to quit for awhile without many side affects but my drinking has really increased since last fall. Best to all, About Time

[lenaleed]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

Dr. Eskapa says in his book that one of the advantages of the Sinclair Method is that alcohol intake is reduced gradually so there are no unpleasant symptoms and no need for potentially addicting detox meds such as klonipin or other benzo's. Are you really ready for an AF day? On the Sinclair Method, we're told to drink in response to our cravings. Few of us are ready for an AF/NF day before four weeks at least. For me it was week 8. Probably best not to force an AF day. See you "over there".

Lena

[bloggy]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

I agree with Lena, when you are ready for an AF day, it will just come.

I think at this stage it is better not to plan anything- by the time you are ready there won't be any need to detox, you will have done that slowly leading up to the AF day, by gradually lowering your intake.

I didn't have an AF day until day 28.

[bob3d]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

I was hoping to have an AF day or days the end of next week. It'll be 4 weeks by then and drinking is having less appeal each day, although I still look forward to "drinking time" even on Nal. But each drinking session begins with very little satisfaction until after 3 to 4 drinks when it becomes automatic like the "old days". I assume this changes with time also.

bob

[About Time]

Strictly Sinclair: Naltrexone Done Right

AF days

Thanks for all the advice. I will hold off on AF day until later. I don't think I'm ready, but when I start drinking even with Nal, I feel I'm "going all out" maybe even a little more than before which seems odd. I forgot to keep a diary, but I'm starting today. Hopefully by week 3 or 4, I'll start to see some benefit. It's rather hard to accept that I may be drinking more although I've read the book and know there are no miracle quick turnarounds.

Did anyone think it odd that Eskapa and Sinclair are both PHDs - neither one is a MD. Oh well, if it works, I guess it doesn't matter. I'm just the curious sort at least when I'm sober on a Sunday morning. Best to all, About Time