How Will I Know I’m Cured?
You will know you’re cured of alcohol dependence when you no longer crave alcohol or have the urge to grab a drink.
People on The Sinclair Method start to see a change in their urge to drink by week 6. By month 4, most people can take a drink or leave it. At this stage, you will no longer need to drink, and you may not even want to.
Here are some of the signs that ‘The Cure’ is working:
- You are drinking within safe limits
- You are not drinking at all
- You can take a drink or leave it
- Your cravings are practically gone
- Your mood has improved
- Your depression has lifted
- Your anxiety has started to dwindle
- You no longer think about having a drink
- You no longer dream about drink
- You no longer look forward to a drink
- You grab a soda instead of a beer
- You grab a soft drink instead of wine or spirits
- Other people have noticed you are drinking less
- You no longer reach for a drink when you feel stressed
If you start to experience any of these things, good news – the Sinclair Method is definitely working! All you have to do now is stick with it.
When will you see results? As noted, by month 4 on The Sinclair Method, most people no longer need to drink, and some people don’t want to. However, everyone is different, and your experience will be unique to you. This process usually requires 3 to 6 months for you to see the most significant results and progress.
If you’re interested in The Sinclair Method, we can assess your suitability for the programme within 24-hours and you could start your treatment within 48-hours. You’ve nothing to lose by giving it a go. Call us on 0333 444 0315 to get started.
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Measuring Success
Of course, there is a significant difference between ‘reduced dependence’ and complete abstinence. Most people on The Sinclair Method achieve significantly reduced dependence, allowing them to take control of their drinking.
The ability to take control of your drinking is what some people would describe as ‘cured’. After all, if you can control your drinking, and stop abusing alcohol, surely this means you no longer have a drinking problem?
If this is your goal, The Sinclair Method can get you there.
On the other side of the coin, some people want to achieve abstinence from their treatment. This means being teetotal and never drinking.
If this is your goal, you’ll be pleased to hear that one-quarter of those on The Sinclair Method become 100% abstinent. And also, the Sinclair Method has a 78% long-term success rate, helping people stay alcohol-free for over 12-months.
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The Golden Rule You Must Stick To
‘The Cure’ works by reducing your dependence on alcohol over several months. This is achieved by you taking Naltrexone or Nalmefene before your first drink of the day and then continuing to drink as you would normally.
As we discussed in part 4 of our guide, the science behind this treatment is “selective extinction”, which over time, breaks down the neural pathways that formed as a result of your drinking habit. Certain medicines, such as Naltrexone Nalmefene, block the effects of the endorphins that reinforce these pathways.
This has the effect of reducing your craving for alcohol. The other aspect of the treatment involves removing behaviours that produce reinforcement. Your habit-forming behaviour is turned into habit-erasing behaviour. So, ‘The Cure’ works by not just removing your interest in alcohol, but also the behaviours involved in drinking.
However, ‘The Cure’ only works if you follow three basic instructions:
- Take your Naltrexone or Nalmefene before your first drink of the day
- Never drink without taking Naltrexone or Nalmefene
- Continue drinking as you would normally – do not willingly cut down on drink
You will cut down on drinking naturally over time as you progress with treatment. The Sinclair Method works by reducing your craving for alcohol over time. It will be counterproductive to cut down on the amount you drink. The right thing to do on The Sinclair Method is to carry on drinking normally.
Once you start to drink less, you will start to have more control over your life. At this stage, you will start feeling better, and you may feel “cured”.
Do not be deceived. Your addiction is still there. If you stop taking Naltrexone or Nalmefene and continue to drink, your addiction will come back!
You must continue taking Naltrexone or Nalmefene for the rest of your life before every drinking session. However, you should not take it on your drink-free days, because there is no point (The Sinclair Method needs alcohol to work).
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Recovering Versus Recovered
If you follow our five-step plan to de-addiction and stick with The Sinclair Method, there is no reason why you can’t achieve alcohol independence.
The Sinclair Method will rewire your brain, so it disassociates pleasure with alcohol. It will also break down the neural pathways that formed as a result of your drinking habit. These are the pathways that make you crave alcohol.
Naltrexone or Nalmefene + alcohol = your cure, and by continuing to drink, the habit-forming behaviour that fosters your addiction gets erased. The learned behaviour that has control of your drinking habit is made extinct.
Selective extinction is grounded in science and the results are astounding. For people suffering from alcohol abuse disorder and chronic alcoholism, it offers a genuinely effective way to take back control of your habit.
It can work as a means to control your habit, so you can continue drinking at safe levels, and as a cure, to help you achieve abstinence.
Whatever your end goal, we can help you achieve it. Call us on 0333 444 0315 to discuss the treatment and we will arrange a fast assessment. You could start treatment within 48-hours. You’ve nothing to lose by giving it a go.
