I while ago I promised to drop in from time to time to update where I'm at. While I was going through TSM I would often search for messages from the long term cured, to see how they were getting on. As people pointed out, the long term cured really don't frequent this message board because they've got no reason to. I decided that, if I ever get to the position of being cured I'd drop back in from time to time, hopefully to give encouragement to those still in alcohol’s clutches, who can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Disclaimer: This post is intended to give current TSM participants a view on the long term outcome of one previous participant. It is not meant to be an indication of what you can or should expect, I offer it simply as a record of my experience. I regard it as a success. You may or may not, I suppose. However, this is not a ”Sinclair Method Cheerleader” story. It may not be what you want to hear. Read it or not - up to you.

Definition: ”Cured”, to me, means 24 months abstinent without cravings. I know this is different to what is usually presented on this board as cured. But I am skeptical about the definition here - more importantly, I’m skeptical about my own ability to know that I am cured. 24 months abstinent is a clear objective measure. Even the absence of cravings isn’t really objective (how do you measure that?). FWIW, I got the 24 months from an insurance application for which I was refused. When I disclosed I had been to my GP regarding alcohol issues, they said ”Apply again when you have been 24 months abstinent.” If that’s what it takes to convince them that I’ve got the demon off my back, then it seemed to be an objective measure I could adopt.

Recap: I developed alcoholism over an extended period of time, eventually getting to the point of drinking more than two bottles of wine a day. It made me miserable, and I tried to quit on many occasions but was unable to. I approached my GP for assistance, who referred me to drug and alcohol counseling services. During the first session, my counsellor casually mentioned the name of The Sinclair Method. I researched, and discussed with my counselor about giving it a try. He was open to the idea - In my country, GPs cannot prescribe Naltrexone without a specialist’s referral, or something like that. As in most countries, Naltrexone is indicated for the treatment of alcohol cravings while abstinent. I discussed with my GP, describing to him the Sinclair Method, and he agreed. So I started the Sinclair Method around the middle on 2011.

I continued for approximately one year. During that time my alcohol consumption did not drop at all, which was quite discouraging. Eventually, I decided to force AF days. To my surprise, the familiar craving was gone. It was clear there were other reasons that I drank, but cravings was no longer one of them.

In June 2012 I decided to attempt long-term abstinence. I was successful with this for the following seven months, with no cravings at all. During the festive season of early 2013 I decided to try alcohol again, citing the TSM claim that moderation was an achievable goal. Perhaps I would be able to drink moderately? The answer to that was no - my levels were back to where I started. After approximately three months of this moderation experiment I abandoned it and returned to abstinence at the end of March 2013.

Today, being 1 Oct 2014, marks 18 months of continuous abstinence. I have had no cravings during this time. Being alcohol free is effortless. The only thing I need to keep in my mind is that I can never return. My brief and failed experiment with moderation in early 2013 showed me this. At one point, I actually consumed alcohol by mistake (an innocent-looking sorbet between courses at a restaurant contained alcohol, unbeknownst to me), but apart from being annoyed at myself for not checking it out, there were no further repercussions. It did not trigger a downward spiral.

My life is now completely different. I have lost 16 kg (what’s that in pounds = about 36?) bodyweight, I’m fit, active, and as a general rule, never do or say things that I regret in the morning. I couldn’t be happier.

So, even though I have already declared myself as being cured here, I have revised my cured status to ”provisional”, with fully cured expected on 1 April 2015.

Thoughts on The Sinclair Method:
I have some doubts, people. I doubt that 80% of TSM participants are cured in three months (which is the claim of the book The Cure For Alcoholism). I doubt that everyone on here that claims to be cured really is, and cite the rate of repeat as evidence, even though the participants have a different explanation. Most of all, I doubt the explanations offered here as to why The Sinclair Method is not better known. They just don’t stack up (I’m happy to address each of them if anyone is interested, but I won’t include my thoughts about these here). I started the Sinclair Method with these doubts, and despite my own success, I still have doubts; Not that there is not some benefit, but the rather the extent of the cure. One of the reasons I wished for more posts from the long term cured was to address these doubts. And in a funny sort of way, this is why I’m back here after so long, sharing my experience.

Anyway, good luck to you all. I wish you well in your pursuit to get the demon off your back. The world is a much better place without it. And for the record, I recommend abstinence (which I never thought I’d believe was achievable, when I started), but your mileage may vary …

Android, I've had a very similar experience to you in a lot of ways and concur that abstinence (at least for me) is actually an enjoyable, happiness-inducing state. I just finished 7 months with zero alcohol and will probably just keep on keeping on for the foreseeable future. Like you, I also wonder how this all works anyway. Without me starting TSM, I don't see any way I could be where I am today. Still, where I am today took a lot more than just TSM, if you see where I'm coming from.

Anyway, I'm happy for you.

Applause! Great read and what a awesome place to be at. 2 years in sight and very do-able. Good luck

Yes, agreed. Like you, I can't see how I would be here were it not for TSM. So any way you look at it, that has to be regarded as a success.

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Thanks for checking back in, android.

We do have quite a variety of experiences, don't we? For me, TSM really was the answer and the only answer I needed. For others, it's only one piece of the puzzle. For a few, it doesn't do much at all.

well, I said I'd drop back in at this milestone. I'd like to wish you all strength, courage and dedication in your pursuit of your goals. I won't be around here much from here on in, but I'm sure you'll all in good hands.

Just reached the milestone of two years sober, and have achieved what I set out to achieve. Cured, zero cravings, completely abstinent, couldn't be healthier. To be honest, I don't really empathize with many of the things described on this board any more - not because I can't understand, but rather, they are such a distant memory the recollection doesn't feel real. Or rather, I might be tempted to think "It was never really a problem; I always had this covered."

Which of course is the great danger. It WAS a problem, and if I slip, I'll be right back there again. So the only way I know I can never slip is to never drink again ...

... and I am absolutely fine with that

Hi Android

Thank you for popping by, like you I'm long term too but for me coming back is helping me with another issue. I'd also noticed that some of the newer members also find hope from us long-termers so I do hope they read this thread.

Congratulations on two years and I can't agreed more with your sentiments and your feelings about where you have been to.