The Sinclair Method

by | May 4, 2022 | 0 comments

How it Stops Alcohol Abuse in its Tracks

There are countless strategies to counter alcohol abuse. But just how effective is The Sinclair Method?

To drink or not to drink. This is the constant struggle of those who want to cut back on their alcohol intake but do not want to quit cold turkey. Like love gone awry, some may have no problem cutting the toxic relationship; others may sit on it for a while and take their sweet time in letting go of the bad habit. Abstinence works for some but this may sound intimidating to others too. 

Abstinence means completely avoiding or not engaging in certain potentially addictive substances like alcohol or drugs. In treating alcoholism, abstaining may be considered a good strategy. But is it the only way?

Definitely not.

People are built differently- physically, physiologically and emotionally. We all have different experiences and respond differently to various circumstances. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association, genetic makeup,  unique psychology and physiology, social circle, and some external factors play a huge role in determining a person’s drinking habits. Alcohol abuse can have many underlying causes and the reasons why people drink pretty much vary extensively for every individual.

Each person is unique so what might sound like a fool-proof, surefire solution for some may prove ineffective for others.

Depending on what works best for you, there are plenty of tried and tested strategies to adapt to effectively reduce alcohol consumption. One is to drink in moderation or to practice mindful drinking.  The basic premise is to not totally deprive yourself of alcohol but to make a conscious effort of monitoring alcohol consumption. Another method that is also proven effective and backed by science is The Sinclair Method. 

The Sinclair Method

The Sinclair Method (TSM) is a treatment to reduce or stop drinking alcohol by taking a craving-reducing medication in a specific way. Doctors typically prescribe one dose of the drug naltrexone an hour before drinking. 

How does it work?

The brain releases the feel-good hormone endorphin when drinking. As the brain starts to associate alcohol with pleasure, drinking becomes more regular as the body now craves more alcohol to get the same euphoric feeling. This is when addiction sets in and alcohol intake become more intense and uncontrollable.

Naltrexone does a wonderful job of curbing alcohol abuse. This anti-craving medication blocks the brain’s alcohol “reward” signal, reducing the motivation to drink. With endorphins blocked and out of the way, the euphoric feeling disappears and drinking alcohol begins to feel less rewarding and satisfying.

Scientific studies also agree that naltrexone significantly reduces heavy drinking, cravings, and relapse episodes.

Different folks, different strokes

Alcohol deprivation does not stop alcohol craving. Quitting cold turkey can sometimes be more harmful than beneficial. A more sustainable and effective strategy is to let the body slowly wean from alcohol by decreasing the amount and frequency of alcohol intake. However, TSM is a better and safer option because it goes straight to the command center and confronts the endorphins head-on by cutting the link between alcohol and pleasure. 

But at the end of the day, the ultimate goal is to become sober and completely recover from alcohol. There are a lot of methods to choose from and if you need to go over your options with a professional, Heal@Home would be a good place to start.  With an online platform that you can access anytime, anywhere Heal@Home is just a tap away. You can talk to certified counselors in the privacy of your home and with unique therapy programs designed to meet your individual needs, Heal@Home offers the ultimate solution to alcohol management. 

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There are countless strategies to counter alcohol abuse. But just how effective is The Sinclair Method?

To drink or not to drink. This is the constant struggle of those who want to cut back on their alcohol intake but do not want to quit cold turkey. Like love gone awry, some may have no problem cutting the toxic relationship; others may sit on it for a while and take their sweet time in letting go of the bad habit. Abstinence works for some but this may sound intimidating to others too. 

Abstinence means completely avoiding or not engaging in certain potentially addictive substances like alcohol or drugs. In treating alcoholism, abstaining may be considered a good strategy. But is it the only way?

Definitely not.

People are built differently- physically, physiologically, and emotionally. We all have different experiences and respond differently to various circumstances. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association, genetic makeup,  unique psychology and physiology, social circle, and some external factors play a huge role in determining a person’s drinking habits. Alcohol abuse can have many underlying causes and the reasons why people drink pretty much vary extensively for every individual.

Each person is unique so what might sound like a fool-proof, surefire solution for some may prove ineffective for others.

Depending on what works best for you, there are plenty of tried and tested strategies to adapt to effectively reduce alcohol consumption. One is to drink in moderation or to practice mindful drinking.  The basic premise is to not totally deprive yourself of alcohol but to make a conscious effort of monitoring alcohol consumption. Another method that is also proven effective and backed by science is The Sinclair Method. 

The Sinclair Method

The Sinclair Method (TSM) is a treatment to reduce or stop drinking alcohol by taking a craving-reducing medication in a specific way. Doctors typically prescribe one dose of the drug naltrexone an hour before drinking. 

How does it work?

The brain releases the feel-good hormone endorphin when drinking. As the brain starts to associate alcohol with pleasure, drinking becomes more regular as the body now craves more alcohol to get the same euphoric feeling. This is when addiction sets in and alcohol intake become more intense and uncontrollable.

Naltrexone does a wonderful job of curbing alcohol abuse. This anti-craving medication blocks the brain’s alcohol “reward” signal, reducing the motivation to drink. With endorphins blocked and out of the way, the euphoric feeling disappears and drinking alcohol begins to feel less rewarding and satisfying.

Scientific studies also agree that naltrexone significantly reduces heavy drinking, cravings, and relapse episodes.

Different folks, different strokes

Alcohol deprivation does not stop alcohol craving. Quitting cold turkey can sometimes be more harmful than beneficial. A more sustainable and effective strategy is to let the body slowly wean from alcohol by decreasing the amount and frequency of alcohol intake. However, TSM is a better and safer option because it goes straight to the command center and confronts the endorphins head-on by cutting the link between alcohol and pleasure. 

But at the end of the day, the ultimate goal is to become sober and completely recover from alcohol. There are a lot of methods to choose from and if you need to go over your options with a professional, Heal@Home would be a good place to start.  With an online platform that you can access anytime, anywhere Heal@Home is just a tap away. You can talk to certified counselors in the privacy of your home and with unique therapy programs designed to meet your individual needs, Heal@Home offers the ultimate solution to alcohol management. 

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