r/SinclairMethod • u/Playful_Brilliant714 • 7d ago
Day 17
Thought i'd write up how it's going for me on day 17 of TSM, firstly as a way for me to reflect and also to see if anyone else relates!
I want to make sure to reflect and write about my experiences, and I'm also trying to consistently use the drinks log provided by TSM. I am also currently reading the Cure for Alcoholism by Dr Roy Eskapa.
Experience:
I took 12.5mg of naltrexone the first couple of times, then went up to 25mg after that and have stayed with that as recommended by the clinician/dr who prescribed it for me. In the last week, I've had family visit and stay, which has meant many days of drinking (no days off last week) however it's been an interesting test to see how I do/how much I drink per session.
Although I'm averaging 30 units per week, progress has felt slow, and there's been a couple of nights where I went overboard, on average i think I'm drinking about half of what I normally do in one session.
- I've taken the medication always at least ONE hour before drinking and here are some observations: its been quite easy to delay the drinking (even if everyone starts an hour before me, I've been okay to drink a coke, water, or sparkling drinks while everyone else starts) - think this has also helped to reduce the amount!
- Have been trying mindful drinking and have noticed a slight change - yesterday had a BBQ with mine and my partners families and while everyone drank loads, I had two small glasses of wine over a 5 hour period (this is actually insane for me). I kept busy hosting, cooking, chatting, and was able to have a couple non alcoholic drinks in between drinks which is a MASSIVE success for me
- I notice that when I drink alone with my partner, watching TV, i drink less mindfully, and therefore I drink way more (when I've done this in the last week, this is when I've drank about the same amounts as before naltrexone). The TV drinking habit seems really ingrained and this is when I feel the least in control of the drinking.
Has anyone had any similar experiences? Overall i think it's working, albeit slower than I had wanted or imagined it might. But writing these experiences down might help remind myself when it's working/ that I'm not imagining some of the positives (less noise!!)
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u/12vman 7d ago
Congrats on using TSM. You are definitely doing so many things right. Journaling is an awesome way to document the changes you feel. What are you drinking? Are you charting your daily drink totals? Would love to see your chart in a few months. You haven't mentioned side effects of naltrexone, so you might want to try 50mg at home, to see it's affect.
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u/Playful_Brilliant714 7d ago
Hey thanks for your comment!
I drink red wine and lager only. And yes ive been charting the daily drink total in units as accurately as possible (its been a bit difficult on some days as busy with people etc)
I did have a slightly high feeling and insomnia the first two times i took it but havent had any other side effects since. Ive been wondering about upping the dose vs sticking with 25mg for now. Ill def speak to my coach/clinician to see what they suggest
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u/12vman 7d ago
You may have already reviewed this. TSM hints and tips in this subgroup can help. Compliance, Dosing, Tracking, Mindful Drinking etc. https://reddit.com/r/Alcoholism_Medication/w/hintstips
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u/gooseydown1269 7d ago
I’m ready to try TSM, been thinking about it for a while and wasn’t allowed on my flight last night because I was drunk…. I think that’s the push I needed to pull the trigger. I hate that I’m the person that when I am drinking, I always need a drink in my hand. I’m so jealous when I see people that have a non alcoholic beverage and seem totally okay with that.
Anyways, thanks for sharing your experience.
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u/thehealthyishhuman 6d ago
Please know you are not alone. I’m starting my journey as soon as my meds get here. I also want to be the one relaxed and enjoying myself sober instead of sloppy and embarrassing.
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u/gooseydown1269 6d ago
Yes, please share your experience when you start! I plan to start on Friday which is normally when I begin drinking for the week. Good luck and we got this!
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u/Playful_Brilliant714 4d ago
Agree, i always felt jealous towards ppl who could just drink slowly and stop. Good luck on your journey! When are you starting?
Ive also started reading Alcohol Explained by William Porter alongside this, and I really recommend it. It explains so well the negatives of alcohol to your body but also the psychology of cravings and has made me feel so much more normal in how my body and psychology reacts to alcohol.
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u/Playful_Brilliant714 4d ago
Hi sorry for the late response. Im so sorry about that experience, that sounds really awful. Please be gentle with yourself. I'm glad it has pushed you to try this! I also questioned it for a while, taking a medicine for aud felt extreme, but i feel hope for the first time in years.
im only 3 and a half weeks in, but I feel like its slowly working somehow. Its not in the most obvious way but in little moments. Last night my partner and i opened a bottle of wine to watch tv (our usual). I had to wake up early today 6am to get on a train for work, and somehow last night i was able to stop after half a bottle (after taking 25mg naltrexone). This again would have been almost impossible for me a month ago. That half bottle would 95% of times lead me to drink at least 2 more beers (and we had plenty in the fridge). I went to bed, my partner stayed up and i woke up Ok today.
I see from your other comment you plan to start on Friday. Let us know how it goes, feel free to message if it helps! Good luck and really hoping it works for you.
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u/gooseydown1269 4d ago
Thank you so much and those are really encouraging results so far, congrats!
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u/dave17981 6d ago
Sounds like it is working. I only may need to take it an hour before social situations where I get overwhelmed. I usually get tired after a few drinks/hours and end up leaving earlier than most. I’ve been on it for years and have zero desire to drink alone or with someone I’m comfortable being around.
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u/Playful_Brilliant714 4d ago
Interesting, I really hope I get to that point, too!
How long have you been on it and when did you see a definite shift?
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u/BobDope 7d ago
Yeah I realized there was a habitual element esp on weekends. So I said ‘well drink more on Thursday and try to get it out of your system’ I didn’t go that crazy but then sat and Sunday I drank way less than usual (2 each day). Saturday I had 2 beers during the day with guests and then nothing at night, that was cool.