Sinclair Method for Alcohol
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The Sinclair Method
The Sinclair method for alcohol dependency is a proven method used by hundreds of people a week across the UK.
Using established medication, the Sinclair method is designed to reduce someone's reliance on alcohol for pleasure and relaxation.
In time, if you take the Medication every day, you will dissociate alcohol with making you feel relaxed, reducing your stress.
As it won't do what you want it to do, you stop drinking. This is known as the extinction method.
All you need to do is take a tablet every day and let the science deal with the rest.
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Extinction
The medication used in the Sinclair method is Naltrexone.
Originally designed for people with heroin and opioid dependency, Dr John Sinclair, a scientist, discovered the usefulness of Naltrexone for people who wanted to cut down on their alcohol intake.
The theory behind extinction is that, when people drink alcohol, it is because it has become an entrenched behavioural pattern.
When you drink alcohol , the brain "rewards" the person through the release of naturally occurring chemicals.
Naltrexone interferes with the release of these chemicals. Thus, if you don't get the reward from drinking you stop doing it.
There have been nearly 100 clinical trials concerning The Sinclair method.
Over 80% of participants have reported a positive effect on reducing/stopping their drinking.
The Science of Naltrexone
Alcohol affects receptors on your brain, as does prescription medication and the caffeine in your daily latte.
Receptors respond to alcohol by opening up chemical channels and, in this case, activating the brains opioid system.
When this happens, a persons desire to drink increases. Because you want to drink you will crave alcohol and will be feel a compulsion to drink.
By taking Naltrexone, the opioid receptors become blocked. Because the necessary chemicals to make you feel good and crave alcohol are not released, drinking alcohol simply won't have the effect it used to.
Furthermore, you won't be craving alcohol.
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How is it taken?
Simple. You take one tablet a day (50MG)
On the first day, you will take half a tablet.
This is known as a tolerance test just to ensure you are not allergic to it. Not many people are but better to know before you take the full dose.
There is no evidence that taking more than 50MG a day will be of any use.
As Naltrexone has a short half life (the time it takes to reduce it's effectiveness by 50%) it is important to take it everyday.
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Are there any side effects?
If you are prescribed opioid medication you should not take Naltrexone.
Naltrexone interrupts the work of opioid medication meaning you would need higher doses to provide pain relief.
Many cold and flu remedies that you can purchase in a pharmacy (when a pharmacist is on duty) contain opioids.
If you have any degree of liver disease you must discuss using Naltrexone with your doctor as it could be problematic.
You may need some blood tests. Similarly, if you have problems with your kidneys some tests may be needed, before you commence Naltrexone.
Naltrexone, when you have kidney problems, can build up which can cause problems. You may be able to use it but on a reduced dose. Always discuss this with your doctor.
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It can not be used for detox
Naltrexone can not be used for an alcohol detox.
If you drink, constantly, to the point that, should you stop (or reduce too quickly) you experience withdrawals you need to start drinking again (for safety) and get into rehab for a detox.
Naltrexone will not stop you getting drunk and neither will it prevent a hangover.
If you don't drink everyday then Naltrexone is not for you.
If you are prescribed opioid medication you should not take Naltrexone.
Naltrexone interrupts the work of opioid medication meaning you would need higher doses to provide pain relief.
Many cold and flu remedies that you can purchase in a pharmacy (when a pharmacist is on duty) contain opioids.
If you have any degree of liver disease you must discuss using Naltrexone with your doctor as it could be problematic.
You may need some blood tests. Similarly, if you have problems with your kidneys some tests may be needed, before you commence Naltrexone.
Naltrexone, when you have kidney problems, can build up which can cause problems. You may be able to use it but on a reduced dose. Always discuss this with your doctor.
Can my GP prescribe it?
No.
Due to the way the NHS commissions addiction services, your GP can not provide you with an NHS prescription for Naltrexone.
While, now, very rare, there are a few “shared care” NHS GP services that are commissioned to provide addiction services but these are the exception, and not the rule.
Therapy
Naltrexone for alcohol is a treatment you can have at home. It can not be provided in a rehab centre because you have to drink while using it.
For those who can not use it residential rehab can provide comprehensive treatment.
All centers who provide treatment for alcohol addiction provide a fully immersive therapy programme, either along a 12 step approach or a SMART based recovery model. These run seven days a week and , those in treatment, are obliged to attend all sessions if physically well enough to do so. For new admissions, it can be 24-48 hours , on occasion, before someone is able to take part.
Sitting alongside this programme, many centers also offer adjunctive treatments and therapies such as:
Yoga
Mindfulness
Art therapy
Gentle exercise and group walks
Music therapy
Individual sessions (for those staying more than a week)
Clients, before leaving, are linked in with support groups in their local community, be they voluntary or statutory. A psychological tool kit is built up so that clients have a selection of techniques to employ.
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