Hi - I just registered, and have been researching this Sinclair Method since I first found it last Thursday. Can't believe I didn't see it before. I was taking Nal pretty much every day since sometime last summer, supposedly to help with cravings during my 'recovery'. I don't think I've managed to stay sober for even a whole week since.

I blew it once again last Wdnesday and got drunk enough for my family to notice (I sneak during the day, or whenever I THINK I can get away with it). My family is fed up, and rightly so. That's when I looked up info on the Nal, wondering if I needed to increase my dosage (50MG), because it obviously wasn't working. After stumbling upon the Sinclair Method, it makes sense that it never worked, except maybe to contibute to my chronic depression. I still don't completely get it, becase I often drank while taking it, but was instructed to take it in the AM and maybe drank later. I still think I may need to up my dosage, because I still get the "buzz" that I love so much even after taking it.

I really WANT to try this, but will most likely not get family support, so will have to sneak as usual. Only safe time for me to drink on a daily basis will be at night when everybody's asleep. It will be easier in social situations when my kids aren't around, because then my husband is drinking too and doesn't seem to mind much if I do too. Even so, he is NOT going to support me "drinking heavily on purpose" to make this work.

I'm sorry to go on and on, but I have SO many questions, and maybe this isn't the right forum. My questions are: How much do I need to drink, and how often? Does the brain respond sooner if I drink more? I can sneak 4 drinks most evenings, even though I'd drink 10 if I kept enough liquor in the house - I can't risk that anymore. If I still get buzzed on a couple drinks, does that mean my dosage is too low, or do I need to wait to see results? I also fear that the pleasure and/or pain relief I get from drinking is a BIG part of why I'm addicted, so I worry that I'll be tempted to give in to my old ways if I have to give up the buzz.

At least I have a permanent prescription, since my psychiatrist (and many other respected professionals) believe it's supposed to be taken daily to PREVENT cravings. I wouldn't even consider telling him about the Sinclair Method. I'll just keep getting the pills, and I'm sure he would up my dosage if I said it wasn't working. I'm just confused about how to do this, or how much to take, how quickly I should see results, etc. It doesn't seem like trying not to drink, and then taking the pill only when I know I'll blow it would give results soon enough.

Again, so sorry for the rambling. Glad I found this site, and look forward to connecting with people who understand. Thanks!

Kris

Hi Kris and Welcome!

I can't answer all your questions, I am just coming to the end of week 2.

The first week, I wasn't able to drink more than 3 drinks a day- the third one was a struggle to get down- however this week my levels are back up again, although not quite to what they were before. The buzz is still there, but I am maybe drinking more slowly or not quite so desperate to get the drink finished so I can have another, it is a subtle change.

I don't know why maybe you haven't experienced a reduction in your drinking when you have been drinking with it- I don't know if taking it in the AM is making a difference as opposed to an hour before drinking, but if you are getting by with 4 drinks most days, maybe it is working for you?

I think for the method to work correctly, you should simply drink when you have a craving rather than try to fight it. I don't think it matters how many you have a day, as long as you drink when you crave. That may not be always possible for you but if you could manage it nearly everytime you craved, I am sure that would be good enough. I haven't read anywhere that Dr. Sinclair has recomended higher doses for some people- 50mg seems to be sufficient for everybody for the method to work.

I hope someone else comes on soon who will be able to give you correct answers- you might want to ask Dr. Eskapa on the ask Dr. Eskapa thread?

Hi KrazyKris.
Welcome. Marbella stole my thunder and she is much smarter than I but I will contribute where I can. First I would get Dr. Eskapa's book and read it. That I would encourage your family to read it. After that, tell them you need them to join you as a team. Tell them you are going to follow this protocol to the letter. I know you have lost their trust but you have to get them to work with you for the next few months.

I am not sure why the Naltrexone is not working. I would suspect that if you are sneaking, you are rapidly relearning. Sneaking causes us to place such a high value on the alcohol. Weren't the most rewarding drinks we ever had were the one we snuck? (sneaked?)

Once you are prepared, follow the protocol to the letter. One hour before drinking, take Nal. Do not ever drink without Nal. If you do not intend to drink, do not take Nal. You might as well do this in the open. They all know you are sneaking. They just don't want to engage you so they are turning there heads.

I truly wish you all the best. I am doing well and I now know that it is not necessary to stay in that misery. Several of us have got up and walked straight out of hell. We will wait up here for you. You are not alone.

Kris,

Definately get Dr. Eskapa's book. That is basically our marching orders and a source of reassurance when we question what we're doing.

Naltrexone, regardless of the dose, is not going to make you feel the "buzz" of alchohol any less. In fact, I find that Nal makes me feel the first couple drinks more than I would otherwise. Naltrexone will not stop you from becoming intoxicated.

What Naltrexone is doing is shutting down the opiate system in your brain. In other words, your brain is not receiving the "Endorphine Reward" from drinking alchohol while taking Nal. My guess is that it is difficult, if not impossible, for any of us to specifically describe what this "feels like." I'm not even sure if we really even feel it. Fact is, if we drink while taking Nal over time, we will slowly unlearn the craving for alchohol.

The key here is that you must ALWAYS follow the golden rule: Drinking + Nal = Cure. You can't take Nal by itself and be cured. You can't not drink by itself and be cured. You can't drink by itself and be cured. You have to drink one hour after taking Nal over time to be cured. This is key: You can't stop drinking and expect to be cured. You have to drink while taking Nal.

How much you drink is really up to you and your body. Dr. Sinclair recommends you drink as you normally would, but not to such an excess as to put your health at risk. Over time, your desire will decrease and you will drink less.

My guess is that you are drinking just enough without taking the Nal far enough in advance (1 hr) of drinking, or not at all, that you are countering any gains The Sinclair Method might be giving you. The key is NEVER drink without taking Nal 1 hr before hand.

I take it on my drive home from work, because I'm not going to drink at work and I'm not going to drink in the car. By the time I get home, I'm free to drink.