In my research around TSM, reading Dr. Eskapa's book, learning about the diet drug Contrave with naltrexone, I'm seeing that the medication has some promise with regard to pharmacological extinction of the sugar addiction. But I can't find where anyone has actually tried employing TSM to sugar/flour/junk food.

I'm planning TSM (pills are ordered) to help with my drinking which I think is in the earlier (though serious) stages of AUD. I'm considering trying to kill 2 birds with one stone and trying to use the same method with the addiction to sugar & flour (which pretty much includes most junk food).

I've "abstained" from sugar/flour before in my life, numerous times, but the relapses invariably take place, something like ADE seems to happen in that I bounce back with fiercer cravings for junk food.

My concept is to take Nal 1 hour before eating anything sweet or with flour or in any way junk food. I can stick to protein, vegetables, unsweetened beverages during the day, take the Nal 1 hour before dinner and then use the TSM protocol. I'd use all the mindful techniques as suggest around food as well as alcohol, aim for AF/SF (sugar free) days to practice selective reinforcement like the book suggests. My alcohol usage is only 2-3 times a week right now, never during the day so I can cover myself for the alcohol protocol with that schedule.

Have you heard of anyone trying this? Am I missing something that would make it not work? Any ideas or comments?

In the book there's mention of using Nal for binge eating, but I don't know if it's effective across the board for sugar addiction. I did a quick search on Naltrexone sugar addiction and ran across this:

http://drhyman.com/blog/2011/02/04/stop ... -genetics/

but I don't know what kind of doctor this guy is and he is selling product from that website, which does not bode well. Might give you some good leads for further research though. NB, Contrave only has 8mg Naltrexone in it, I have no idea what effect of adding more Naltrexone to the mix would have, whether it would be a good thing or bad, you might need to find a TSM doc to figure that out for you.

I am familiar with Dr. Hyman. You are right, he's selling his own answers, and trying something like this is not one of them. He's anti-Contrave as well. Not that I'm considering using Contrave. I'm really only considering using the Nal like I would for the alcohol, 50 mgs 1 hour before.

But that article was one of the ones that I researched that has helped me start to think about TSM for sugar addiction. It seems sugar addiction behaves the same way an alcohol one does in many ways.

The weight loss/food addiction industry either follows the traditional alcohol treatment method of abstinence or it follows a model of moderation. Neither models like the idea of medication, it's cheating or dangerous. They have fairly good reason to be concerned about danger, the diet pills of the 60s were amphetamines that hurt a lot of people and the fenfluramine medication used in the drug Redux in the 90s ended up being a contributor to COPD later in some people.

But as we know with alcohol, abstinence and/or just staying in control by willpower are pretty tough to do after our brains get addicted.

I have struggled with weight and overeating my whole life, but about 12 years ago I lost 140 lbs and have kept it off for the last 12 years, primarily by eliminating (while dieting) and controlling (during maintenance) all sugar & flour. But, it's tough, the cravings are always there and often I relapse, get re-hooked on the sugar & flour again and then have to get off it all over again. I've never lost the love of chocolate, sweet and all things gooey. I just keep the door to the cage closed most days.

The reason I'm particular drawn to this idea of TSM for sugar is that I relate all the AUD stuff to my eating as much as my drinking. And, I aim for a diet without sugar & flour as the rule anyway, so I'm not thinking of doing anything different, just manipulating any intake of sugar or flour that might have happened into the Nal window to see if I notice any changes.

My Nal order should be here in a week or so, I've got some more time to think about it and research it before then.

I tried using Naltrexone with bulimia/binge eating behaviour.

I took 50mg Naltrexone 1 hour before I thought I may binge, or eat junk food.

I gave up because my binges were perhaps 2-3 times per week, I didn't notice a great deal of effect and I couldn't wait the 6 months TSM took for me to beat booze.

At the same time I started to learn more about myself, and what lay under my alcoholism, eating and other destructive behaviours, including my difficulty with relationships. This info along with my extensive, certainly where I'm involved nutritional information, plus a motivation of improved performance in my chosen sport which does require strict dieting, I have now overcome my binging without Nal.

To me the theory was great, but I couldn't go on living and feeling so horrible with the binging (I was also vomitting but not every time). Life had become unbearable, and I guess I was lucky enough to be studying psychotherapy/psychology stuff to be able to realise what I could do to heal myself.

Sorry this isn't of much help to you.

No, that's very helpful UKBlonde! It's good to have the awareness that it didn't help for you.

And that the psychological tools helped as well. I do already employ a great deal of cognitive behaviour tools with my eating, it's been a big part of what has helped me keep my head above water with the food and not regain all of my lost weight.

Thanks for the insights!

otoh, I've found that Nal definitely suppresses my appetite. Also, chocolate releases endorphins, so you may well want to stay away from it on your AF days.