Better sleep, clearer thinking, and restored motivation are also common outcomes. By reducing the physiological stress alcohol places on the brain, the method supports overall emotional recovery. Long-term results are strongest when the Sinclair Method is paired with therapy, healthy lifestyle changes, and continued mental health support. The timeline for seeing results with TSM varies from person to person. Some may notice changes in their drinking habits and cravings within a few months, while others may take longer to experience significant effects. Consistency and adherence to the medication protocol are key factors in achieving success with TSM.
How to Integrate The Sinclair Method into Home Treatment
Naltrexone influences alcohol’s mode of action by working as an antagonist to opioid receptors. It prevents the release of endorphins that would usually follow from the inhibition of these receptors in the brain when alcohol is drunk. This activity reduces the enjoyment and beneficial effects of drinking, therefore lowering cravings and, eventually, alcohol intake. Integrating the Sinclair Method into recovery programs enhances long-term outcomes by combining medication with therapy, counseling, and support. Treatment centers may monitor medication use, track drinking behavior, and adjust goals over time.

Naltrexone for Alcohol Use Disorders Studies
Many individuals who have followed TSM report substantial reductions in their alcohol intake, with some achieving complete sobriety. These personal accounts underscore the method’s potential to transform lives, providing a nuanced perspective on its effectiveness. 👉 You can review just some of the TSM success stories we’ve collected here.
How do I get a prescription for naltrexone?
The Sinclair Method combines continued alcohol consumption with the prescription drug, Naltrexone.4 Naltrexone reduces the pleasure of alcohol, which can help people cut back or quit drinking. ✔ Proven effectiveness – Research shows TSM has a 78% success rate in reducing alcohol consumption. The Sinclair method is a form of treatment for alcohol use disorder that focuses on reducing use rather than maintaining complete abstinence.
The foundation of TSM is rooted in the principle of pharmacological extinction—the process by which the brain’s conditioning to alcohol’s pleasurable effects is gradually diminished. Studies have shown that naltrexone effectively blocks the endorphin release triggered by alcohol, interrupting the cycle of reinforcement and dependency. Numerous clinical trials and decades of research support the effectiveness of TSM. Sinclair method Studies have shown that over 75% of participants using TSM successfully reduce alcohol consumption, and many eventually eliminate alcohol addiction. Unlike traditional abstinence-based approaches, the Sinclair Method encourages individuals to continue drinking while on naltrexone.
This timing allows the medication to fully occupy the opioid receptors before alcohol is consumed. Sign up to access a free 15-minute video about our research-based treatment approach that’s been proven for 30 years to help people reduce their drinking. In the field of psychology, this approach is also consistent with the behavioral principles that are related to extinction, so it is Alcoholics Anonymous not only pharmacological but also psychological extinction.

The Sinclair Method can help people reduce their drinking without quitting entirely. This can be an appealing option for people who want to drink socially on occasion but want to cut back and gain greater control over their alcohol consumption. By helping people drink less, it reduces the harm they experience from alcohol. In operant conditioning, rewards increase the likelihood that a behavior will occur again.
Implementing the Sinclair Method: Practical Steps
- A core area of contention stems from TSM’s departure from the traditional abstinence-only model.
- Naltrexone can cause side effects, including nausea, headaches, and dizziness.
- When these receptors are blocked, you won’t experience the usual pleasure from drinking alcohol.
- Upon joining our online alcohol program, we can refer you to a telemedicine physician for a medication appointment.
- While this approach is less common in the United States, it has become much more widely used in Europe.
This method is not effective as it does not allow the extinction process to take place. Extinction only works if the alcoholic takes the pill and continues to drink. We will evaluate each case to make sure the patient can pursue this treatment. Anyone with cirrhosis should stop drinking because alcohol will only worsen the problem. The liver is the only organ in the body that has been shown to regenerate itself and often will respond to a comprehensive Naturopathic liver support program.
