One little pill...

[Theordinary]

Can I recommend a documentary on Netflix with the title above. All about the Sinclair Method. May be helpful to many people on this thread. Its not well known about in the recovery community for the reasons that are explored in the documentary. It could very possibly be the answer for lots of us who have tried abstinence and moderating with little success. I will say no more, but would really encourage you to watch and judge for yourselves.

[Anoushkaka]

Have you tried this OP?

[Theordinary]

Yes I am currently in the very early stages of the Sinclair Method. So far I have had 3 occasions taking the medication before alcohol. Still on the half tablet to begin with. Very promising start.

[Anoushkaka]

I have tried it myself a long time ago and felt totally awful so didnt continue. I was going through a breakdown at the time and self medicating with alcohol.Thankfully I came out the other side.

I wish you the best of luck on your journey.

[2023forme]

Haven’t seen the documentary but have tried the method. I was taking nalmefene rather than naltrexone. It did stop the buzz and I literally felt like I was drinking water instead of a G&T (was a weird feeling) but at the time, I didn’t deep down inside want to stop so I continued to abuse alcohol in secret/without taking the nalmefene.

after a number of further disastrous binges I am on day 37 AF and considering trying the nalmefene again after 6 months AF. I really hope it will stop cravings as I fear spending the rest of my life as a dry drunk if I can’t rid myself of the desire to drink.

[Theordinary]

2023forme, I've not tried Nalmefene. I'm taking Naltrexone. It might be helpful you to watch the documentary for some motivation to give it another go, if you feel ready . We'll done on your progress so far. The only thing to bear in mind is it ONLY work when you are drinking as well, which is controversial for some people. It just does not work in abstinence.
Anoushkaka, it's good to hear that you have managed your problem drinking now. I have read that Nalmefene tends to have more side effects than Naltrexone. Unfortunately Nalmefene is the one NICE have recommended as it is slightly cheaper and a bit easier on the liver. If liver tests are fine, it makes sense to use the Naltrexone for fewer side effects.
I'm by no means an expert on any of this, I did some research prior to trying the Sinclair Method myself and this is what I read online.

[Theordinary]

2023forme, also have a read about alcohol and Pharmaceutical Extinction. This is what the end goal is with TSM. In theory it would mean your brain is literally set back to the time before your brain became addicted. This gives you the freedom to have an occasional drink (always with Naltrexone) or to abstain. The point is, it becomes natural to do this. No white knuckling, will power or sense of deprivation. To me it sounds like amazing.

[Needtokickthehabit]

I spoke to my gp about this and she disagreed with it and instead gave me librium to help with detox symptoms. I am not in the UK so I guess we all have different medications but this is what she has given me and I am day three now. Best of luck OP.

[mindutopia]

I don't have a particular option about this as it's not the approach I used when I got sober, though it's been around forever and I did read about it years ago. But one thing to consider is that for most people, sobriety isn't just about curbing the urge to drink. It's about dealing with the reasons you drank to begin with. Taking a tablet alone to curb the effects of drinking might be one tool in the toolkit short-term, but ultimately, you'll need to live life in the real world again, you'll need to deal with the reasons why you wanted to self-medicate, you'll need to face the difficult emotions and the experiences that bubble up when alcohol goes away and when it isn't an option anymore. Being able to start to do that has been one of the most freeing and wonderful aspects of sobriety. It isn't something I'd want to miss out on by taking a tablet and having a drink anyway. But I think that's easier to say in hindsight than when you're in the throes of the very early days maybe. Me personally, when I was done, I was done, and I wanted no part in alcohol anymore, even if the feelings could be medicated away temporarily.

[2023forme]

@Theordinary thanks. I’m going to watch the documentary at the weekend when I’m off and thanks for the tip re pharmalogical extinction. I’m aware you need to drink when you take it - if I do try the method again, I will use something I don’t particularly like such as a real ale so I’m not tempted to drink more than a small amount (eg half a pint).

@mindutopia - I’m getting long term help with the ptsd that contributed to my drinking as you are right, that needs to be tackled. When I drink, I get such an overwhelming feeling of “good” and then I’m chasing that feeling all night. With TSM, the theory is that you don’t get the dopamine hit so you don’t get the good feeling - it’s basically the same as the 3 month injections heroin addicts get to curb the high.

I’m from a long line of alcoholics and there is some scientific evidence that people can be genetically predisposed to addiction owing to more/more responsive dopamine to alcohol which means they get a much stronger good feeling when they drink. TSM blocks the dopamine response so your brain stops equating alcohol with pleasure so you stop wanting it.

if I can do my 6 months without strong cravings and white knuckling, I probably won’t try TSM. But if that switch doesn’t flick for me and I still want to drink/crave the feeling, then I will probably try it under “supervision/control” eg ensure there only is a minimal amount of alcohol in the house, hand over all my cash and cards to DH, get in my pjs and go to bed - things that will mean I couldn’t drink more even if I wanted to.

good luck to everyone coping with this problem In whichever way you are ❤️💪

edited to add link
https://www.thrivenwmed.com/genetic-mutations-comt-alcohol-abuse#:~:text=Individuals%20with%20the%20COMT%20mutation,a%20highly%20sought%20after%20experience.

[Theordinary]

Thanks for the link. I'll check that out later. It's not going to suit everyone but for some of us it will be the answer I feel. An update on my progress so far. Stressful day at work so I took half a Naltrexone an hour before I intended to have some wine. I had one glass and went to bed at a reasonable time. Usually I would have had at least half to 3 quarters of the bottle. I didn't feel bothered about having more. That one glass just seemed plenty. I enjoyed the taste but got no buzz from it. I was incredibly tired though!

[Needtokickthehabit]

I wonder do these pills work or is it the placebo affect? Either way once we make it to our end goal all is good.

Today is my AF day 4 and I wont even have time to think about that witch and her wine as I will be pretty much on the go now from 8am till 10pm and you can't buy alcohol where I am after that time thankfully. Down to two librium now for the next three days also and I am determined to finish this 9 day detox.

[Theordinary]

The Naltrexone definitely works. It blocks the opioid receptors in the brain which is why you don't get the buzz. This is also the way it eventually changes the brain's response over time. Considering I've only take half a dose so far I'm pretty impressed with it. Minimal if any side effects luckily too. Good luck with the Librium. I don't know much about that drug. Do you feel its helping?