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Naltrexone is the basis for the popular Sinclair Method that is scientifically proven to reduce alcohol cravings when the proper dosage is taken correctly.
What You’ll learn:
- The role naltrexone plays in The Sinclair Method.
- The Sinclair Method naltrexone dosage recommendations.
- The recommended length of dosage and why duration matters.
- Additional benefits of taking naltrexone daily on the path to remission.
For many decades a variety of treatments have been used to address alcohol use disorder, the most common type of addiction in the U.S. One of the programs that’s showing real success has been The Sinclair Method.
Developed by John David Sinclair, PhD, The Sinclair Method was the first to call for using naltrexone prior to drinking in order to curb alcohol cravings and help end alcohol use disorder (AUD). Dr. Sinclair’s work with animals revealed that if naltrexone was taken before drinking it acted to inhibit the effects of the alcohol and led to new behaviors forming that supported less consumption. Essentially, it helped the animals “unlearn” the learned behavior of drinking.
At the time, naltrexone had already been identified as an aid for alcohol use disorder, however the timing of when naltrexone is taken was the key. Sinclair tested his theories on humans and found the same results. Using naltrexone prior to drinking muted the reinforcing effects of alcohol consumption, extinguishing the desire to drink. At the onset naltrexone helps people drink less by curbing deprivation cravings. Over time the urge to consume alcohol can be completely extinguished because the pleasurable association is gone.
The Sinclair Method was created in 1989, received FDA approval as an AUD treatment in 1995 and has slowly become more mainstream over the last 30 years. At one time, the idea of continuing to drink while addressing alcohol use disorder caused skepticism. It was also so far off from the conventional abstinence-only models that it took some time for people to begin exploring The Sinclair Method. But as medication-assisted treatments for other addictions have gained favor, so has the idea of taking a naltrexone dose for alcohol use disorder.
Since Sinclair’s initial findings, many studies have reproduced the results and found that naltrexone-assisted therapies are more effective for AUD than abstinence techniques. Plus, by slowly decreasing the use, patients don’t have to go through a detoxification period that can be physically dangerous and increase the risk of relapse.
The trick with The Sinclair Method is taking naltrexone in the right way so it’s most effective.
Naltrexone Alcohol Dosage Recommendations For The Sinclair Method
The guidelines for The Sinclair Method are in line with the general naltrexone alcohol dosage recommendation. Naltrexone 50 mg tablets are the standard dose for those who are following The Sinclair Method.
Of course, the dosage needs vary for each person. The prescribing clinician will monitor the initial response to get the naltrexone dose right. It’s a matter of finding the dose level that will fully diminish the reward response of drinking.
How Often Naltrexone is Taken on The Sinclair Method
While you can technically take naltrexone prior to drinking as-needed, it’s highly recommended that patients take a naltrexone tablet once a day at the same time. This is the protocol to ensure the medication is in your system at any time.
Another benefit in the eyes of Dr. Sinclair is that a daily dose of naltrexone would help reinforce the positive behavioral changes that come from healthier habits. The idea is that the naltrexone keeps alcohol opioid receptors in check so that the feel good endorphins that are produced come from the other activities. This positive association would train the brain to enjoy healthier choices, increasing the likelihood that you would stick with the healthy habits.
The thing that you want to avoid the most is failing to take naltrexone for a few days and then consuming alcohol. Opioid regulators could be hyper sensitive, which could make the experience of drinking release even more endorphins.
How Long to Take Naltrexone on The Sinclair Method
Dr. Sinclair’s landmark study in 2001 discovered that the longer you take naltrexone the more effective this method would become. At a minimum, 4-6 months of daily naltrexone doses is recommended. However, the full extinction a year or more is often the preferred length. A total of 78% of the people who completed Sinclair’s full daily dose treatment protocol reached extinction.
Because naltrexone is safe to take long-term, going beyond the year mark can be highly beneficial because it’s been shown to reduce the risk of relapse. It’s also a daily habit that’s healthy and will encourage you to keep taking naltrexone rather than alcohol. The Sinclair Method promotes transitioning to an as-needed dosage after reaching stable sobriety. For many people this is somewhere between 1-5 years. Ideally, a person should take naltrexone an hour before their first drink and refrain from drinking after six hours.
Are you interested in trying The Sinclair Method to drink less and live healthier? You can take the Alcohol Use Assessment to figure out if a naltrexone-supported approach is what you need to have more control over your drinking.
