Hi everyone. I'm very new to this concept - the Sinclair Method seems to be what I have been looking for. However, I really need some support - your posts seem to be very supportive - but you all sound so young!! I'm 64 now and have been drinking on and off for years - for 40 years!!! - bad history, but now drinking every day, two, three glasses of red wine - does not seem like much - but, of course, can't do without. I'm surrounded by drinkers - husband, neighbours, friends, the whole culture where I live is WINE, WINE, and more WINE - vineyard country!!! I want to stop. I need to stop. But I'm really afraid because I remember in years past when I've been able to quit! I was miserable - talk about white knuckle! I hated the fact that others could drink and I couldn't - what a drag!! I NEED to drink because I'm so unhappy!!!! If I don't drink I'll be unhappy, and have no "upper" to make me feel better. So I'm going to go into counseling, and start the Sinclair Method. I'll have to get my doctor onside - not an easy experience - he's old-fashioned and I'll have to disclose personal things I'd rather not!! Then I'll have to make an appointment with a counsellor to help me get over myself! Please help me by giving me a welcome and helping me to see this can work. Thanks. Fallsgal

Hey Buddy,

I'm a newbie too,...2 weeks and a couple days. I was really scared too but now I feel more relaxed and am used to taking the med (Naltrexone) now.

I'm only a night time drinker... but everyday, so I take 25 mg which I am told covers me for twelve hours but I'm usually only drinking over a 6 hour period.

I am going to be seeing a shrink that does the method as my current one does not so I'm firing her for reasons you can see posted elsewhere.

I too love wine and vodka, beer. Can you imagine a day that we can have one glass of wine or be totally abstinent without freaking out? I can't so I proceed with blind faith.

I was sober for 4.5 years with AA and it wasn't so bad but I always was worried about what if by accident or just by cockiness I ever would drink again. Well it happened(by accident,..served G&T instead of club soda lkemon and lime) and I bet had I had Naltrexone I wouldn't have had a horrible relapse which my habit caught back up with me 3-6 months later which ironically they say once cured, drinking without naltrexone takes about 3-6 months to relearn your old habit..chance? I think not. I think my brain had repaired itself, BUT I am very vulnerable hence why it came back in such a short time. Also AA has a way of if you have a drink, you'll be worse than you were when you stopped,...its a HUGE psychological mellow drama.

Now I feel as though, we don't have to hold this fear of alcohol so long as we take our Naltrexone 1 hour prior to drinking. Nobody has to know and life goes on...no stigma...My wife wants me abstinent and I may have a very easy time saying no more. I don't believe it but read the cured folk,..they talk a great outcome.

I'd also like to hear from the Finnish folk who have been cured for many years. I wish we could get them out of he woodwork.....

This board will do nothing but support you....Stay close and post often if you need ..I do...sometimes I wonder if it bothers people,..but I think not....Take care, NOTHING to be afraid of,...Jim

Jim! thanks so much for your reply. It means a lot to have this connection. I'll be posting often with questions and comments. Keep on with your program. My husband knows nothing about any of this - he's one of those people who fool themselves into thinking red wine is good for the heart (who knows mayne it is...)- he'd never go an evening without two glasses - what a joke! Me, I know that I "can't do without it" - forget the heart! I NEED the alcohol!!! But from now on I'm looking UP. I have many alcoholics in my family and I hope to spread this wonderful news in the near future. I'm really nervous about going to my doctor though. I'll chart my progress once I get going on this. Thanks again.

BGH,
Welcome! I am edging close to 50 so I am not that young either. Try to not worry about the doctor visit. I was very nervous too. In fact, I was actually going to the doctor is get a refill for my anxiety medication and thought if I chickened out on asking for the Nal, I was just there for the refill. Fortunately I was able to ask for the Nal and got it. I figured that if I was given a bad time and told no, I would just find someone else or buy it online. The last time I went for a refill of Nal the Nurse Practitioner said that next time I come I need to see the doctor instead. So I am a little worried about having to go to someone new and risk getting a different response. So try and remember that others have gone before you!

BGH, Welcome, and please do not let your age distract you from what could be some of the happiest years of your life. I am not young, nor am I old. Right in the middle at this point but that is neither here nor there. The point is I have had alot of drinking experience and there are some younger people here who have had just as much or more. The best thing you can do is get your hands on a copy of the book. The Cure for Alcoholism by Dr. Eskapa. If your doctor is old fashioned it may be time to see another or if he or she is aware of your concern regarding drinking tell them you want to try Naltrexone (known as Revia in Canada and England), for cravings. That is what they perscribe it for. After that, follow the method in the book and watch the magic begin. It did for me and I hope and wish it does for you but being nervous is understandable at the beginning but it just becomes second nature later. Don't worry just proceed with care and keep in touch. We all care.

Hi BGH,

A very warm welcome to you!

I think your approach is highly commendable. You are going to try doing something about the alcohol and, in parallel with this, look at the underlying causes of your unhappiness. That is effectively what I am doing. It's just that, in my case, my unhappiness is closely linked with anxiety.

And I'm no youngster either at 55!

So, you're in good company here - you will find everyone to be helpful and supportive.

All the very best to you!

V.

BGH - welcome & I am 56 so don't think you are alone. I understand your concerns, but am also thinking "gee - I wish I were down to 2-3 glasses of wine a night"!! That would practically be cured to me. But of course, 14 - 21 glasses of wine a week is not good, so I understand..still would be half where I am. sigh

You will probably reposnd very well to TSM, so keep us posted on your progress. I hope your happiness factor improves as this goes along. If not, feel free to vent on here on various threads, as we all do! :-)

Good luck & welcome!

BGH, I'm so happy you are here,finally somebody older than me, lol!!! I'm almost 60 and have been drinking a heck of a lot more than you for about 40 years too with a hiatis (sp) between 87 and 2000. Keep posting, join us and read, read read. We all support each other here and that includes you! Again, welcome.

Hey LaBear funny isn't it how we talk about age...at 64 I still feel like I'm 18!!!! Younger people don't believe that we older folk still feel young inside but it is really true. Now, the bod is heading in the wrong direction gravity-wise but my mind is young!!

I'm glad to meet you. I'll watch out for your posts, old gal!!!

Hi, starting to feel my age! Still a kid at heart however!