I've been taking Naltrexone for about 10 months. But I believe I've been taking it wrong. I just discovered the Sinclair Method 36 hours ago. I was taking Nal in the morning with my other med, Budeprion (Wellbutrin). I was free of alcohol from Oct - June. Then I started drinking again. I think the Nal helped though because I've never reached the level I was at last year.

Last night I took Nal 1 hour before I started drinking. I had 7 beers available and only drank 5. The last one I had to force-so it seemed, I was full. This method makes so much sense.

I was in AA once from 1978-2002. Toward the end I joined a church which helped me too, but I got out of there because it was cultish. From then on I started to drink.

I am a runner who does between 30-40 miles per week. Drinking or not.

I am encouraged by what I have read here and look forward to learning more & participating.

I'm new to the counting of units and have the excel spreadsheet that I found here & will start that today.

XaJere

Add-on info from comments below:
Being a runner, I have noticed no effect from Nal on running; felt like endorphins were there; as for sex? still pleasurable & intense.

Regarding my script for Nal, I've got a 1 year script (refills every 90 days).

Hi XaJere,

A warm welcome to our community!

Best wishes on your TSM journey.

BTW, I love your user name.

V.

How did you discover it, if I may ask?

I probably wrote that spreadsheet so if you have any questions let me know. I'm glad you found your way here! -E

Welcome X.

I am also a daily runner. If you read up on TSM, you will discover that naltrexone blocks positive reinforcement for positive behaviors like sex and exercise. The theory says that if you do these things on naltrexone there is the possibility you may extinguish these positive behaviors. Consequently, the theory states that you should wait a couple of days before naltexone is out of your system before you exercise or do other positive behaviors. Personally, this is not true for me. I've exercised six of seven days every week since starting TSM on May 27 and I have no diminished interest in exercise. I'm assuming you are like me and simply cannot go a day without exercise. If so, do not sweat it one bit -- just take the naltrexone one hour before drinking and don't worry about it. And by the way, the early diminished interest in drinking is a great sign TSM will work for you. However, beware of the "honeymoon" where you may have an initial loss of interest in drinking while your body adapts to naltrexone and alcohol. Typically this reduction doesn't last long and is part of a non-linear path to the cure.

Feel free to ask any questions -- someone here will be able to answer them.

Take care,

Nick

XaJere -- Cool name. Welcome to our little community.

Sounds like you've inadvertantly been doing TSM for several months, so you would be well past the honeymoon phase. In fact, you're probably well on your way to a cure! This is how naltrexone gets any credit at all in the non-Sinclair Method studies: Subjects unable to comply with the direction to obstain were the ones who reduced their drinking. Sadly, from this it was erroneously concluded that three months or so on naltrexone is enough. This fallacy made its way to the prescribing instructions, so those treated for only 3 months inevitably get re-addicted eventually. You're fortunate your prescriber did not "cut you off" after a few months.

Keep us posted!