Sinclair Method For Alcohol

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.

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.

Sinclair Method For Alcohol: How Do I Take Naltrexone?

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.

Sinclair Method For Alcohol : Side Effects

As with all prescription medication, there are some recorded side effects.

Most people do not encounter any problems but it is important to be aware of the possible difficulties.

Common side effects are:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Joint/muscle pain
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Insomnia
• Tooth pain
• Cold/flu like symptoms
• Allergic reaction*
• Low mood
• Liver damage

* Seek medical help in the event of an allergic reaction: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of the throat, tongue, lips and face.

Who Can’t Take Naltrexone

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.

History of suicide

Naltrexone stops people experiencing pleasure: That is why you take it.

Some people, because of this action, find they experience thoughts of self harm and suicide. Where people had these thoughts before, Naltrexone can make them worse.

If this includes you your doctor may want to monitor you more closely and or consider a reduced dose/alternative.

Naltrexone is Not For Alcohol 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.

Sinclair Method For Alcohol: Can My GP Prescribe Naltrexone?

No.

Due to the way the NHS commissions GP services, it is not possible for your GP to give you a prescription for Naltrexone.

You may be able to get an NHS prescription for Naltrexone from your local authority funded addiction service., if they care commissioned to provide it.

In order to get a prescription from your local addictions service (which is free to use) you will need to attend assessments, group workshops and key sessions before you will be considered for a prescription.

Free Advice From an Experienced Addictions Clinician

You can speak to an experienced addictions clinician for free. Someone who has prescribed Naltrexone to hundreds of patients and will give you honest and impartial advice.

Naltrexone is not for everyone. You may not need it or you may need a different form of treatment.

We can tell you what you need, and what you don’t.

Our service is reregistered with the Information Commissioners office.

We only signpost to legally registered services.

The Sinclair Method for Alcohol is available today.