My shrink prescribed me Nal and campral.. For two weeks I took the campral 3x daily and the nal at bedtime. Stopped drinking entirely for 10 days or so, then back to usual routine. Just recently read about sinclair method. Since May 5 I have been trying it. Wish me luck. Seeing very varied results so far. Have not told my husband I am trying it yet, as I am afraid he will tear the reasoning apart and destroy my little bit of hope I have built up. How long does it take if you are following the rules closely, to see at least some results?

Chris

Chris, as you can see from some of the other posts it takes time. It takes some people less time than others. For me, I have been on it for a little over 8 weeks now, have been up and down with the drinking and only just now I feel like alcohol is loosening it's grip a little (and I'm one of the lucky ones to see results this soon). Next week I might actually start drinking a little more again, but I'm not worried because it's still on par with the plan.

It's not something you are probably going to be able to hide, because although you may be able to drink only a few drinks right now after just starting, you are very likely going through a "honeymoon period" and your drinking could increase. It may not increase though, like I said you can read around and see that everyone's story varies. I think sometimes it has a lot to do with people who like to ride it out for as long as they feel they need to (nothing wrong with that by the way!) and people who feel a sense of urgency and want to practice restraint along with the lessened cravings to see faster results.

In my opinion, neither person is wrong. Just make sure you take that pill at least one hour before each and every time you drink. In your case though, I think honesty is the best policy here. The repercussions of your spouse could be hurtful if they find out on their own. Do what you need to do, be rational and be strong. If you feel this is the right decision for you, then be open about it and explain what is going to happen.

Hopefully your worse case scenario is that he is disappointed in you, but at least this time you can prove you are actually doing something constructive in the end and not making excuses.

Just my opinion, and I wish you the best of luck.

Welcome, Chris.

I'm afraid I have to agree with alchotag - I don't see how you'll be able to hide it from your husband for the time it will take for a real change. Contrary to the book, 4 months seems optimistic - anecdotally, a year seems like a more realistic timeframe to decide if it is going to work. I would urge you to get a copy of 'The Cure For Alcoholism' for both yourself and your husband. Then it'll be the book's reasoning and not your own that would come under fire - and the book's reasoning is solid

In terms of results, you will likely have that honeymoon period in the beginning, with significantly decreased drinking, followed by a return to 'normal' levels, followed by a long term, slow decrease in drinking (although some people seem to just stay at their near-regular level, then fall off a cliff at some point, in terms of consumption).

Have you seen changes right away? That seems to be a good indicator of success, although others have had eventual success without a honeymoon.

Regardless, I wish you the best of luck - I just started 3 weeks ago, so I hope we'll be able to track each other's progress towards control.

Hi Chris,

I had a similar experience. 'Wasted' a month's supply following doctor's orders (take one per day at breakfast, don't drink) but I wasn't able to remain abstinent for more than 2 weeks (and that was a feat!). I've managed to get a refill and started taking it the sinclair way for one month now. About 2 weeks in I felt that I physically wasn't able to consume more than 3-4 glasses of wine and had more days AF. However at the one month point I would say I'm back to a bottle of wine almost every night and can see no change in behaviour, pattern or consumption levels compared to pre-sinclair (or pre-nal at all). Right now I am at work, it's 4:30 and I'm wrestling with the decision about whether or not to get a bottle on the way home. So still got that monkey on my back but it's early days.

cheers, (gotta stop staying that)

Michelle

Hi cguest29,

Have you noticed any difference in the level of controll you having during a drinking session. Many, but not all have found that they dont get as drunk or as many black outs on tsm. Maybe these benifits on their own would do a lot to convince your partner to get on board with the idea of the treatment.

Maybe if you print off some of the information on tsm to give to your partner it might help.

Stick with it, dont give up, this works for most people whostick with the rules.

Actually, yes, it does seem to be helping. Not so much with the volume of beer consumed, although that is down by about 15% lately. I do feel a bit better in the mornings now too. I feel (insanity?) lately that I am still drinking because i actually am choosing to do so, not being driven to it. There have been a few occasions, while standing at the beer cooler in the store, when I actually thought twice about purchasing a beverage(this never has happened before) I will tell husband in the near future, he is pretty intelligent anyway, has seen me reading the tsm boards, and would probably figure out something different is afoot anyway. I just wanted to get on some kind of routine before I break the news. The beer definitely does not taste the same. And, I don't get that "wheeee" feeling after the first couple of swallows that I used to.

cg

Well the general opinion around the bord here is that anyone who has felt the initiall benifits has success with tsm in the longer term so congrats and stick with it. Your hubby will come round especially as you say he has seen you reading here and will realize that your doing something possitive to sort the problem.