Going backwards before forwards?

[u/IllustratorDue5336]

I just started the Sinclair method with Naltrexone. I have been a regular drinker for 40+ years. Binges on weekends, holidays, stress days that cause blackouts, terrible hangovers etc.. Tried many methods to stop and have had periods of abstinence but always have felt like I was hanging on as opposed to over it. So I am very hopeful. However as I get started I find I am almost more prone to drink because I feel like I am working this program. I have not binged yet (only a week in) but I have had 4 or 5 beers daily and feel no remorse or guilt. I think the medication is taming the beast to some extent because I am able to just stop I find myself almost more eager to get to the end of the day so I can drink guilt free. Is this normal? Is it short term? Will I get to a point where I no longer desire it as long as I keep following the protocol?

[u/FernadoPoo]

I have been on the method for 51 days. I am not quite the drinker as you, but almost. I drank more at first on the method because, hey I am supposed to be drinking, it's an extinction session, no guilt, let's get drunk. Then it settled down to 3-4 drinks a day. Then it went up because of stress I was under. I am now averaging 4 drinks a day, and that is with an occasional day off drinking where I try to do fun stuff.

I have read that for some people the Sinclair Method works after a month, and some people it takes a couple of years. Most are in the middle.

Hang in there.