For many people, recovering from alcohol addiction means stopping drinking completely. However, methods like The Sinclair Method aim to reduce your alcohol intake to that of a “regular drinker” over time.
If you or a loved one isn’t ready to go cold turkey, this effective, medication-based method could help you cut down on alcohol.
If you are suffering with alcohol addiction, contact us to see how we can help you. Rehab or detoxing are usually the most recommended action.
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What is the Sinclair Method?
The Sinclair Method is an alternative to traditional abstinence.
It involves taking an opioid blocker, which helps reduce the feelings of pleasure when drinking. Over time, this helps reduce your association between drinking and reward, helping you control your cravings.
Because this approach requires you to continue drinking alcohol for a while before you feel the effect, it is not suitable for everyone.
If you struggle to stop drinking completely, it can help you cut down.
How does it work?
Here’s how The Sinclair Method can help reduce your alcohol intake.
- You take a medication called Naltrexone – this stops your brain from receiving the usual “pleasure” response from alcohol.
- You take it before you drink alcohol – usually around an hour before. The pill must be taken every time you plan to drink.
- Positive effects from alcohol are lost – you won’t get the addictive “high” feeling, but you’ll still feel drunk or drowsy.
- Eventually, you stop associating alcohol with pleasure – if you drink without reward, this can help control the cravings.
Over time, you may cut down on your drinking or stop completely.
However, The Sinclair Method only works if you stick to it. To get the benefit, you need to drink in moderation (taking the medication an hour before, every time) until you no longer associate it with pleasure.
You’ll need supervision to ensure it doesn’t affect other pleasurable activities, and to ensure you don’t have alcohol-related health issues.
Is the Sinclair Method effective?
The Sinclair Method can be highly effective, especially for people who have struggled with going “cold turkey” or complete abstinence.
Research shows 78% of patients achieve a successful outcome.
If you or a loved one has relapsed multiple times or hasn’t responded to alcohol rehab, this method may work for you. Some people have credited The Sinclair Method with “helping when nothing else did”.
Other benefits include its relatively low cost, minimal withdrawal symptoms, and flexibility to cut down or stop drinking gradually.
What are the risks?
The Sinclair Method isn’t for everyone, and should be started with care.
If you have severe symptoms or diseases caused by drinking – such as heart disease or wet brain – it is probably not suitable for you. The method requires you to continue drinking alcohol, at least for a while.
Naltrexone can also have effects on other pleasurable activities, such as eating or exercise. It’s essential to get professional medical guidance.
There are also a few side effects, such as nausea and nervousness.
Remember, The Sinclair Method isn’t a quick fix. It still requires willpower and acceptance that drinking alcohol will no longer feel pleasurable. You may wish to pair it with counselling for addiction.
You need to take medication every time you drink, or it won’t work.
The Sinclair Method Reviews & Research Results
You might be surprised to learn that, with the above caveats in mind, the Sinclair method is incredibly effective, and research shows that 78% of patients treated with it achieve a successful outcome.
The method has also been incredibly successful in developing countries where access to traditional rehabilitation clinics and detoxification facilities are limited.
Results experienced by both medical professionals and patients are overwhelmingly positive with a relatively large group of people claiming the Sinclair method saved their lives (usually people who had already failed at abstinence-based methods of quitting).
The Sinclair Method – Stories
One of the most famous stories of success with the Sinclair method is that of Claudia Christian, famous TV actress and star of Babylon 5.
As an alcoholic with addiction on both sides of her family, Claudia had a serious, almost unshakeable case of alcohol dependency.
Claudia went to rehab in two different countries and tried hypnotherapy, AA meetings, veganism, CBT and basically every other type of potential treatment that got recommended to her.
After years of failure and over 20 relapses, Claudia heard about the Sinclair method and took it into action.
Claudia is now not only sober and healthy but is so convinced that the Sinclair method saved her life that she has written a book on the topic and travels the world giving talks on it.
One of these talks is in full below, so feel free to take a look:
How to get started
For some people, The Sinclair Method can be a powerful tool to reduce alcohol cravings and get control of your drinking (or stop for good).
The Sinclair Method may be right for you if:
- You’ve tried abstinence methods but struggle not to drink
- You don’t have any serious alcohol-related health issues
- You’re able to take medication consistently before drinking
- You’re open to medical supervision and long-term change
- You want to reduce drinking slowly, not stop all at once
Already tried traditional methods? Only a small number of clinics in the UK provide The Sinclair Method, and we can help you find them.
We can help you get access to medical professionals in your area. They can decide whether The Sinclair Method is right for you, prescribe and monitor your treatment, and offer ongoing aftercare to support you.
Alternatively, we can help you find the method best for you. Whether that’s a home detox or round-the-clock care at a rehabilitation clinic.
If you’re unsure where to begin, call us on 0800 118 2892.