The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider. You should consult with your physician or mental health professional to weigh your options and determine the best treatment for you. If I have elevated liver enzymes from chronic alcohol consumption, can I still be treated using TSM? In most cases, treatment is not only possible, but it is also highly recommended.
- Moreover, the method leverages the brain’s capacity for neuroplasticity—the ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.
- Abstinence is often linked to detox and participation in formal addiction treatment programs.
The Safety Profile of The Sinclair Method
While it minimizes cravings, it is essential to remember that people also drink for other purposes, including social reasons, boredom, habit, and as a way to dampen emotional Sinclair method pain. Some people may find that this approach to recovery, without the pressure of perfect abstinence, makes quitting drinking more manageable. It can also serve as a step toward sobriety while minimizing the need for medically supervised detox in residential alcohol treatment. Unlike some other more expensive treatment options, the Sinclair Method is cost-effective and can be done at home. However, the Sinclair Method is not the only medication-based approach to alcohol recovery.
Step 3: Get Support for Long-Term Success
The method is used when patients want increased control over problematic drinking patterns. It may be best for those with mild or moderate alcohol disorders (which can be termed “pre-addiction”), rather than those with a severe, late-stage addiction. The Sinclair Method (TSM) was created by Doctor John D. Sinclair, based on his years of research related to alcohol addiction, behavior, and brain chemistry. In the 1980s he proposed that alcohol consumption (including problematic overuse) was learned behavior, reinforced by an endorphin release in the brain, and could therefore be unlearned.
- This can be an appealing option for people who want to drink socially on occasion but want to cut back and gain greater control over their alcohol consumption.
- This method is an option for those who have difficulty quitting drinking abruptly in programs that focus on total abstinence.
- Success with TSM is defined variably, from achieving controlled drinking habits to complete sobriety, reflecting the method’s adaptability to individual needs and definitions of recovery.
- Very few people with alcohol problems can simply decide to stop and maintain that forever.
- While naltrexone reduces cravings, your actions are key to creating lasting change.
Sinclair Method: Using Medication to Reduce Alcohol Use
Some participants grow impatient if they want rapid transformation or if their drinking is causing immediate crises. TSM must be coupled with enough life stability to allow the extended timeline. Naltrexone is generally well-tolerated, with possible side effects including gastrointestinal upset, headache, fatigue, or dizziness. Serious adverse events are uncommon but can happen, such as liver enzyme elevations when used in very high doses.
Sinclair Method Success Stories
Compared to long-term residential rehabilitation programs, the Sinclair Method is relatively cost-effective. Naltrexone is generally affordable, and the need for intensive therapy or Sobriety prolonged stays in treatment centers is minimized. Freedom from alcohol in 90 days with clinical, community, and coexisting issue support.
Sinclair Method Community
Instead of following an abstinence-only approach, you actually take naltrexone about an hour before you drink. This timing is key because, over time, it helps reduce the rewarding sensations you typically get from alcohol. The idea is to gradually lessen both your cravings and the amount you drink through what’s called pharmacological extinction. The Sinclair Method aims to break this cycle through pharmacological extinction. By taking naltrexone before drinking, the medication blocks the opioid receptors, preventing endorphins from binding and reducing the pleasurable effects of alcohol. Over time, this leads to a decrease in the brain’s association between alcohol and pleasure, ultimately reducing the desire to drink.
