Don't get me wrong. I love the sharing that goes on on this board. But we are getting into a groupthink of overthinking The Sinclair Method.

To recap, this is The Sinclair Method: We take 50 mg of naltrexone hour prior to drinking, each and every time we drink. Six months or so later, we are cured.

A very few of us have been advised by Dr. Eskapa to vary this formula slightly. But a brisk review of the board tells me it is growing rampant with efforts to reinvent the wheel.

As Carrie Bradshaw might say, I couldn't help but wonder: At what point does TSM become DIY?

Okay, I'm braced for the pushback. Bring it.

I don't understand why you need to brace yourself. You are merely making sure that we all stay focused on what we need to.

I am wondering how people changing TSM. Are you meaning using other meds in conjunction with Nal?

Well, regardless, I think this is an amazing development! I am so thrilled to have found it and that I am able to be a part of it.

Thank you for caring Lena! We all appreciate it.

Christy

Six months is a REALLY long to undergo any kind of treatment. Most of any of our experiences with medical treatments shows results in days or weeks. Most of us are in uncharted waters from the word go when we start TSM. Not only that, but this treatment is a bit of a roller coaster. Given that most of us aren't working with a medical professional through this (who we can ask questions), we come here to ask questions and share experiences.

I've been at this for 16 1/2 weeks now and even two days ago I was starting to question if TSM really works and perhaps my early gains were just me "wanting" it to work. After reading a few posts from others, I think I have my head back on straight again.

So, in response to your comment: Technically, TSM is pretty simple. However, the journey we take to that six month mark, or whenever we consider ourselves cured, is far from simple.

Q

here here

I am on the verge of imploding - so unimpressed with the whole method so far. It seems all smoke and mirrors. I will continue to forge on, but I feel absolutely nothing. One hour 2 wks ago probably due to an upset stomach. Otherwise - blah. Sorry folks. I get on here, read the successes and feel like I am in the 25%. Still keeping my fingers crossed, but excuse me while I go pour another one b/c it is still feeling good. At the 4 month mark and NOTHING...

Got my sights set on August :-)

Go to mywayout.org, choose "Topamax, Campral, etc thread " then choose "Strictly Sinclair." Pisco has an inspiring post about his/her experience with TSM. As does Springrider.

Like you, I am also doubting the method, but I'm only on Week 6. It's hard, especially when those around you just want you to quit now and be done with it! (I have found this attitude even with my psychiatrist who prescribed nal, my husband, and our marriage counselor -- of course, NONE of them have read the book, although my psych was interested in the info I gave her.)

At the 4th month, I can definitely see why you're over it. But please go to Pisco's post -- he/she noted that it was only then that he/she STARTED to notice nal's effects. At 6 months, Pisco went from 70 drinks a week -- 10 per day -- to 15-20 drinks per week. That's 2-3 per day as opposed to 10. I think that's quite significant. Also look at Springrider's posts. He is a huge success story.

We are all so new to this -- how many on this board have hit the 6-7 month mark with TSM? Probably not too many. So we are all searching for hope, for success, but we will probably not find it among each other. (Yet!)

I am among the many who wonders if I'm in the 15%. Just believe in the science and allow the time.

(That said, I will probably need you all to tell me this many times over!)

Let's just keep each other propped up and going....with encouraging stories, real-life successes, news, whatever. We are all looking for hope and to break free of our alcohol addicition. And we will all have moments, days, weeks filled with doubt. I am honored to be on this journey with each and every one of you!

Houtx - right at the moment I totally with you: blah . . . it still feels good. Still I keep with it, because I would have been drinking anyway. But here's my thoughts anyway.

A simple formula can yield complex results if there is even one uncontrolled variable. In TSM that variable is the differing personalities, experiences and expectations of each individual. It sort of like (drinking + naltrexone) / (individual differences) = cure(?). We don't know for sure it's going to work. We go on faith because most of us have run out of alternatives. The discussions on this board help to neutralise that (individual differences) variable. By getting a grip on what is similar and dissimilar for other people, we are better able to understand the unique way TSM is working (or not working) for us as individuals.

I agree that it can be easy to over think this, but if we just went with the formula as presented in the book, this would be a pretty thin message board; I think one post would probably cover it pretty well. (I used to drink Lysol under the Aurora bridge but I followed the plan and I can't believe it now I'm cured and I'm about to get my degree in astrophysics and I've met my dream girl and we just bought a house in Medina and my kids love me plus my fly is always zipped up now and oh my God I've never really noticed the color green before and . . . )

But if I can look and see that, say "PukinMyGutzOut" was really struggling for nine weeks until, BAM suddenly he had a breakthrough in week ten, well that really helps me keep the faith that regardless of my current status I will eventually find success even though I might be an oddball in this program.

We don't want to re-invent the wheel here, but it doesn't hurt to retool the tire in order to establish a smother ride. I find that reading the diversity of experiences here helps me to fine tune my own program in a way that suits me. We are not rats. And as far as I know the rats did not have the benefit of a message board on which to share their experiences. But if they had, and their little paws could type, I bet they would have had some stories to tell. And I'll bet that some of the new, doubting rats could have benefited from experiences of the old-timers.

OK, maybe not, but at least it's entertaining

FireB

Good point! We are all different, with varying degrees of addiction, it only makes sense to me that some may take longer than others. I know it's frustrating, and I know when I get out of the honeymoon stage, I will need some reassurance as well.

This is a wonderful method, and it's too bad more people couldn't be aware of it.

Christy

H4M - I went over to My Way Out and read Pisco's post...now there is one from Tommy.

Very encouraging..however, I'm a bit skeptical. Usually if someone makes just one post it's more of an advertising campaign. I hope they are real 'patients' at the 7 month mark, but I would guess it's probably someone just trying to be encouraging under a different name. Maybe not, we'll see if there are more posts from either of them.

Lena - I see your point but I think there is so much information left out of Dr. Eskapa's book that we need to help sketch out the details. For example, we all started thinking this would be a 3 month journey and we have gradually concluded it will actually be more like 6 months for most. So, as long as we monitor our group think and don't get too out of control, I think it's a good think. I am very happy that you spoke up about adding baclofen to the mix to increase progress and that we have found an issue with benzo's. And that you have now helped several people taper off of benzo's. Without people 'straying' the course, these important details would not have been uncovered.

Again - agree that it all needs to be monitored, but the discussions are ultimately an important part of the journey. And thank you for being at the helm.

Lena,

I agree 100%. I know everyone is different and has different experiences with TSM. But TSM is quite simple
Keep a journal and take Naltrexone 1 hour before drinking. NALTREXONE + DRINKING = CURE (3 to 6 months is typical). It is a pharmalogical treatment that is 80% effective. Some folks may have to find other treatments. That, sadly, is a fact. I wished it worked for everyone but all pharmalogical treatments have some degree of failure. To those who are struggling, please keep plugging along for at least 6 months. To paraphase AA...'don't quit 5 minutes before TSM works'.

Best Regards to ALL,
Tom

Pre: 46 – 80+ units
Wk/Units/Craving
1: ...44 .....10
2: .. 40......10..2 AF
3: ...40......9...3 AF
4: ...31......9...4 AF
5: ...20......7...5 AF
6.....33......7...2 AF
7.....44......7...3 AF
8....in progress

Firebird - I posted before I read your post, sorry (was rushing to get to work): Agree with you 100%.

And your posts are getting increasingly more funny (the treatment working or just your personality coming out?): PukingMyGutsOut...someone has got to come onboard and use that.

Nick - I have to point out that the formula, had we not altered it, would be Drinking + Nal = Cure within 3-4 months. The book doesn't say 6 months...we altered it here to 6...so, I really have to go with Firebird's formula and you may agree once you get further into the program. I don't think any of us had a need to alter the program at the 2 week mark.