The Sinclair Method

[spiritwolf333]

Hi Guapo -thanks for your encouraging words. And thank you for saying that "It's good you take the time on here to try to educate people, and arouse discussions." I really do enjoy trying to help others while selfishly try to help my self -in a good way- I hope.

As you state, there is no 'one' single simple answer for everyone. There was a point in time that I sometimes thought that the only answer was my answer -because that answer worked for me. Obviously, that was a fallacy and I guess we all live and learn. At least trying to have an open mind is a huge gift -but just be prepared to be shot at by those who don't.

The actual (factual) information behind addiction is becoming incredibly meaningful and hopeful. I now understand, more than ever before, why the TSM method may be so much valuable than I ever realized. I can now see how it can really work from a science point of view instead of from a 'choice' point of view.

Guapo, Snap, UkayBee, -We are dealing with an incredibly complicated disorder (disease) of the brain. Science is just now really starting to reveal some of what is going on in the brain of the addicted or even in the brains of those who are potentially addicted.
There are so many varying factors that there can not and will not be just one single answer. We now know this to be a fact. It is my hope that we all keep trying to become healthier without using deadly chemicals and that we each keep trying to help others -like us - find solutions.

[YouKayBee]

Good stuff snapdragon.

I don't know if Selincro has a honeymoon, but do be aware this could be just that - your drinking may start to increase again but if I've heard that an initial honeymoon is an indicator that you will experience success with TSM.

You could of course be an extremely lucky, fast responder and be cured in the first week - it does happen, but that is very rare.

[guapo]

Hi Spirit Wolf, Guapo and YouKayBee - I am now on Day 5 of TSM (early days I know) I am taking the new form of Nal called Nalmefine (Selincro) which is now approved in the UK and prescribed by the NHS. I already notice a huge difference - my cravings are really low and the desire to drink has waned on its own. I have had two AF days and have only had 9 glasses of wine in 5 days (compared to my normal 2 bottles a night!) It is almost as if because I am given the go-ahead to drink as much as I like while taking Nal - the desire has gone away a bit too (perhaps that's the rebellious side of my addiction). Last night, poured away my second glass of wine half way down. I just didn't feel like drinking it - a first for me!!

I get what you say about taking drugs forever seems daunting, however, the way I see it, if I can get to be 99% AF which is what I hope by taking this pill then I actually won't be taking any drugs much at all. You only take the pill if you are going to drink alcohol - and as your addiction is cured, you will no longer feel like drinking anyway. For me, the psychological aspect of this is what really helps. One thing that has been hard for me (and I know a lot of other people here) is the thought that I can NEVER drink again EVER - otherwise I will be back to square one. TSM takes away this fear. I can live my life AF eventually, but by carrying one emergency pill with me, I know that if a situation arose where I did feel the need or want to have a drink, as long as I take the pill an hour before, my brain won't receive the endorphin which feeds addiction.

Also for me - because of watching the documentary 'One little Pill' - my husband finally understands my addiction and why I behave like I do with alcohol (he was on the verge of giving up on me). He supports me 100% with TSM now. I'm so glad I saw this film as I think it might be what saves my life. If anyone else is interested you can view it here - https://vimeo.com/ondemand/onelittlepill

Your post is right on the money, snapdragon. What I was trying to say earlier, is that using the naltrexone as a tool, and doing other things to change your relationship of alcohol, will lead to success.

I know the TSM website has many vocal people that advocate just taking the pill, doing absolutely nothing except drinking normally, and voila !! ,you're cured.

I did that, and was not " cured". Once I redefined my relationship with alcohol, I understood how to deal with triggers, situations, and most of all, how to fill that void previously filled by drinking. Just taking a pill before you drink will not accomplish that. You won't have learned anything about yourself, or why people drink etc.

You are also right, that with this there is never one day at a time, relapsing, or worrying about your "quit" . You just won't want to drink.

I have not quit, but rather drink rarely, and never stupidly, and best of all, don't have that compulsion to drink for no reason. I will not use the word cure, but that's a good result as far as I'm concerned.

Anyways, keep at it, and don't undervalue the importance of learning all you can about this problem, and most of all, look at what others have done and how they've succeeded. Once you do that, you'll find yourself free of your previous bad habit.

[guapo]

Worth a read, from a blog by the "unchained Mouse"

Saturday, April 26, 2014

More on the De-Cured
Lately I've met a few of the de-cured, the folks who were once cured but then went back to alcohol. Some have concluded that the Sinclair Method is overhyped and is not a good long-term solution. It's true that, out of ten who start, only five will be cured at the three-year mark.

This may seem like a coin-flip, but consider how much better that is than with most other approaches. Seven of ten are cured at one year, five of those seven are still cured at three years -- that's much, much better than most other things out there. Yet it does mean that two out of our starting ten will be fully cured and then choose to go back to alcohol and re-develop addiction.

What does this mean?

For me, at least, it means that I should be careful about evangelizing too enthusiastically. Even if we consider only cured people, we should be aware that about two in seven will walk back into the trap. That's not a negligible number.

For me, this came up today when I read someone saying that, two years after quitting drinking (the AA way), he still had strong cravings for alcohol and still had to be careful to avoid triggers. I would have liked to tell him and others that I know a better way, that I have no cravings and ignore things which once were triggers . . . but I thought better of it.

I've met too many de-cured people, and it's bothering me.

I've also met quite a few permanently cured people, of course. More of them, in fact. This highly successful method should be more widely known and practiced, absolutely. But it should be presented realistically, without excessive hype about "88% cured" and "you'll be a happy social drinker."

I haven't fully sorted out my thoughts and feelings on this. I know that the Sinclair Method works very well. I also know that it's sometimes oversold. Perhaps overselling is necessary in order to get it into the marketplace of ideas at all, but that's just not my nature.

I'm sure my ideas will continue to evolve. I'll have a great game plan a year from now. Right now, though, I've taken a step back from spreading the word.

Posted by Unchained Mouse at 4:39 PM

[YouKayBee]

Worth a read, from a blog by the "unchained Mouse"

Saturday, April 26, 2014

More on the De-Cured
Lately I've met a few of the de-cured, the folks who were once cured but then went back to alcohol. Some have concluded that the Sinclair Method is overhyped and is not a good long-term solution. It's true that, out of ten who start, only five will be cured at the three-year mark.

This may seem like a coin-flip, but consider how much better that is than with most other approaches. Seven of ten are cured at one year, five of those seven are still cured at three years -- that's much, much better than most other things out there. Yet it does mean that two out of our starting ten will be fully cured and then choose to go back to alcohol and re-develop addiction.

What does this mean?

For me, at least, it means that I should be careful about evangelizing too enthusiastically. Even if we consider only cured people, we should be aware that about two in seven will walk back into the trap. That's not a negligible number.

For me, this came up today when I read someone saying that, two years after quitting drinking (the AA way), he still had strong cravings for alcohol and still had to be careful to avoid triggers. I would have liked to tell him and others that I know a better way, that I have no cravings and ignore things which once were triggers . . . but I thought better of it.

I've met too many de-cured people, and it's bothering me.

I've also met quite a few permanently cured people, of course. More of them, in fact. This highly successful method should be more widely known and practiced, absolutely. But it should be presented realistically, without excessive hype about "88% cured" and "you'll be a happy social drinker."

I haven't fully sorted out my thoughts and feelings on this. I know that the Sinclair Method works very well. I also know that it's sometimes oversold. Perhaps overselling is necessary in order to get it into the marketplace of ideas at all, but that's just not my nature.

I'm sure my ideas will continue to evolve. I'll have a great game plan a year from now. Right now, though, I've taken a step back from spreading the word.

Posted by Unchained Mouse at 4:39 PM

I stick to informing when asked and the occasional update.

I started TSM over 3 years ago, but I was always strict, never drank without Nal, and I've not had a drop of alcohol for over 15 months now. I guess I'm one of the still cured at 3 year stagers but I also put that down to my dogged approach!