SR,

Thanks for your apology.

Now, to take your statement that "The brutal point I am trying to make is that the addiction mechanism is independent of the mental/emotional state. It is a chemical process. It does not care what you thinnk or feel."

I have some difficulty with this statement. Surely, the mental/emotional state is what fuels the addiction mechanism and, in that sense, cannot be independent. Speaking for myself, I know that my worsening mental/emotional state over time is what drove me to drink excessively, which, in turn, resulted in my addiction to alcohol. Putting that another way, had I not developed a mental illness from an early age, I suspect that my drinking would never have got out of control.

V.

Hey Virgil -
I understand what you are saying. My mother had a multiple personality disorder, depression, was in therapy for years, and drank little to nothing at all - just took her anti-psychotic medications. It wasn't until she was about 50 and most of her really bad psychotic problems were under control that she started drinking a bit... and a bit more...then a bit more, etctetctetctec. My 2 sisters and I liked her much better when she was sober and just plain nutty.

We have all been in therapy and psychoanalyzed ourselves. Don't get the wrong impression, my mother was not a broken down non-functional. She had an IQ way over the genius level, college grad, like we all are - but she had deep emotional problems that were exacerbated by alcohol. I have been in therapy thinking my mother's problems and our home life were the root of mine and the reason why I became addicted to alcohol...and realized while I do have some issues that shaped my personality, I just started drinking because it was what we did and was fun. Eventually, here I am. I think now most of my problems have their root in my addiction to alcohol. I think I would be much happier if I were free of the compulsions, the guilt, all the emotional baggage I've accumulated, not to mention the physical dmagae I've done.

I benefitted from the therapy through the years, and perhaps I have more of a genetic predisposition to addiction, but so are my sisters in their own ways. I am the middle "alcoholic" child, my younger sister is "addicted to food" (I have a hard time with that one - who isn't!! but when we are staying up late, I'm drinking wine & she's noshing on potato chips - ) My older sister is just addicted to being mean and selfish LOL. In the end, I think many people who are suffering from depression, personality disorders and all the rest, are no better off, in fact worse, when they add alcohol to the mix.

Alcohol is a depressant. Supposedly. I just find it a wonderful buzz. Drowning my feelings, etc?? - maybe. But I have always enjoyed it...I was in bands in my younger years and after a gig, drinking and drugs into the wee hours were the norm. I never did get into the drugs..it was alcohol that was my choice. Eventually it ceased being my friend in moderation and became my nemisis in excess. I never drank to "forget" or to boo hoo over my dysfunctional childhood. I got over all that very well, as did at least 1 sister.

What I am saying is I totally believe there are many who suffer from emotional & psychological problems that are separate from being addicted to alcohol. But certainly alcohol irritates rather than soothes those issues. We are all here to be rid of this particular affliction. What lies beneath...is the next adventure/journey.

I wish us only good things and peace as we share this particular together. Cheers!

I wonder how many people are pushed away from this simple, inexpensive treatment because they hit her site first? I nearly turned down the Sinclair Method after calling a recovery clinic and being told it would cost me $6000 for outpatient! I asked if they could just sell me the Naltrexone and she told me how it had to be administered in a comprehensive program ...

I pay $3 a month for 50 mg.

houtx770,

Thanks for the feedback and I agree with your statement above. I know several people that suffer from emotional & psychological problems that do not have an alcohol problem. I also know people that have an alcohol problem that do not have emotional & psychological problems. And then there are people like me that have emotional & psychological problems who turn to alcohol as a form of self-medication and, in so doing, run the risk of becoming alcohol-dependent. In my case, my alcohol problem has now taken centre stage; it is an obstacle to making progress with the therapy that I am currently receiving. That's why I am so attracted to the Sinclair Method because I need to reduce my alcohol intake to a sensible level.

All the best,

V.

You are quite right Vir and I am sorry if I pushed some raw buttons. It is not my intent.
I know of people who have gone on event specific benders that were not alcohol dependent. A friend of mine hit a pedestrian and killed him. It was not his fault but the pain was to great that he drank from morning to night for about a week. With so many losing work (we laid off 13 last week) and I sure that is more prevalent right now. I am not sure if the Sinclair Method is suitable for such intentional self-anaesthetization. It may be beneficial in that it may prevent the addiction mechanism from taken place. That might be a question for you and your therapist.

Years ago, I did a stint on Prozac, accompanied by therapy. The Prozac made the world friendly enough to allow me to delve down and meet the inner vultures. We made peace and they transformed into doves. I stopped Prozac after one year and told my therapist that I could not feel the difference. He said I was doing for myself what the anti-depressant was doing.

You will find your way - I am sure of it. Baby steps.

I wish you luck.

SR,

Thanks for your kind words. Regarding your comment that "I am not sure if the Sinclair Method is suitable for such intentional self-anaesthetization", I don't intend to use the Sinclair Method in this manner. I will use the Sinclair Method as it is intended to be used i.e. to reduce my alcohol intake.

All the best,

V.

Hi Folks,

I couldn't resist tagging on the following article from a respected source as its relevance to the latter part of this thread is obvious:

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/dual_diagnosis.htm

Spot the omission (unless I'm mistaken)! Not a single mention of the Sinclair Method! Sad.

V.

Hi,

I too think it's sad that few understand the Sinclair Method - I am a newbie and still learning myself. It’s even worse when closed minded people spread false information about something that could save lives! I think the non-believers just want more proof from long time users who've had success. In my own case, I know better than to even bring the subject up to my psychiatrist at this point, because he would be appalled. I will just let him continue to prescribe the Naltrexone for now. We both agree it’s purpose is to reduce cravings for alcohol, so I’m not really lying, just not telling him HOW I use it because he wouldn’t understand.

Once I feel that I have progressed enough to show real results, I will not only tell my doctors the truth, I will find a way to shout it out from the mountain tops, or however the saying goes. The only part about AA that I like is the ‘Anonymous’ part. I don’t know if I’d have to courage to publicly announce my success, but if this works for me, I know some loud mouth, hard/problem drinkers who would be interested. Perhaps they wouldn’t be so wimpy.

I guess my point is, I have faith that the good news will eventually get out, but not without a HUGE controversy. For now, I will keep my journey private, except for here – thank God I can talk to somebody! If I have to withhold information, even from people that I love, I will do so until I can prove my success. Then I’ll join the cause to promote the Sinclair Method however I can.

I just pray this works – for me and everyone else who is suffering. Good luck to us all!

Kris

It will work Kris,

We have all resigned that the data out there is limited. May MDs want to see more before they will prescribe Nal. You are doig the right thing. Go that route for now.

I would not tell my MD for over four months and only after you have a prescription with 6X refill.

You won't be krazy for too much longer.
Glad to have you join is.

Thanks for the encouragement. It's funny how uncomfortable I am with lying, yet I've been doing it about my drinking for years - to the people I love the most! I'm working on getting up the nerve to explain this to my husband. He is a very intelligent, open minded, loving person - (God knows anyone else would have kicked my butt to the curb), but the feelings are still a bit to raw from my last screw up. Even true saints have their breaking point, and he's totally justified.

He was actually in the room when I stumbled upon the Sinclair Method, and in my shock I actually mentioned it to him. We both thought it sounded insane at that point - he said it was "counter intuitive and sounds like it would encourage you to drink every day", and we've not discussed it further since. I just bought the book yesterday (haven't told him yet), and am doing my best to absorb all the knowledge I can - I'm struggling between reading everything on this site, and getting back to the book. I want to do BOTH, but just can't do it all fast enough! When I feel that I can intelligently state my case, I'll discuss it with him.

I just wish I'd known about this when my family was OK with me trying to cut down, because I wouldn't have had to hide everything. Now I've blown it too many times, and it's tough enough trying to regain their trust. For me to say I NEED to drink to get cured would just infuriate them right now. Sounds like a scam that only a 'drunk' would believe... My husband is actually OK with drinking (we fell in love partying like maniacs) - all he ever asked was that I control it when I should. Instead I've driven drunk, endangering my children in the process, etc. This is all unforgivealbe behavior, and yet he has still not left my side. I've caused him and everyone else SO much pain. The guilt becomes overwhelming, which just makes me want to drink more, and ON and ON - a vicious cycle. I know everyone here can understand, but it's difficult to explain to "normal" people. That's why I need to get the facts straight and be ready to defend my choice against all odds. I better get back to my reading - thanks again for your support (reminds me of that old Bartles and James commercial!)