Hey all,

So I don't know if this is in line with recommended Sinclair Method practice (I haven't read the book), but I just had a breakthrough and I wondered if anyone else has tried this.

Long story short: Ten months of Nal, took pretty much as recommended, tried a few alcohol-free weekends but they were murder, was still drinking every single day. Then a month ago I thought, "let me try a longer alcohol-free stretch," as my significant other had just left on a long trip and I didn't feel good about the idea of drinking alone for weeks on end.

And WOW, has it made a big difference. First few days were rough, just like the alcohol-free weekends were-- all I could think about was drinking. But once I got past those couple of days it got so, so much easier. Eventually wasn't thinking about alcohol at all, physically felt great, etc.

Last night I had my first drink in a month (with nal, of course) and I had to force myself to finish it, felt no interest whatsoever. Today I feel no desire to drink.

So I'm wondering, has anyone else tried longer stretches of being alcohol-free and then going back to drinking with nal and experienced a breakthrough?

Hi Catherine, welcome to TheSinclairMethod!

I don't hear of that much and typically would expect to trip over the Alcohol Deprivation Effect, but OTOH there's a nurse practitioner in the UK that detoxes people at home, then starts them up on TSM shortly afterwards. They tend to get control quickly. There are those that start TSM after being abstinent for months, they tend to do pretty well too.

Very glad to hear of your progress though and grateful that you let us know!

Prior to this, were you taking the Nal an hour before your first drink, or was it sooner in the day?