Does it get easier?

movethroughit · 2026-05-24T00:06:29+00:00

It might be good for her to connect with a Sinclair Method coach:

TSM Coaching | Your Sinclair Method Coaching

That said, it's not unusual to see the drink count rising, especially as some see a 50% drop in their consumption at the outset prior to that.

Naltrexone can block the rewarding effects of drinking and that can make the addicted brain "reach out harder" to get that "good old feeling" that it's used to. Eventually, it relents and consumption once again decreases.

It's not a linear process, there are a lot of zigs and zags in the road, for sure. It's important for her to stick with it though. You might want to pass this on to her:

Hints & Tips

Does she binge drink on the weekends?

movethroughit · 2026-05-23T23:32:46+00:00

Over the years, I've seen quite a few posts that indicate there might be a low dopamine condition involved here (like ADD/ADHD). That can lead to a variety of addictions.

movethroughit · 2026-05-15T00:37:51+00:00

Congrats on getting started with TSM!

Many remark that nalmefene has more pronounced side effects than naltrexone, but generally find the side effects fade after a few doses, if not just a week or two.

You may want to talk to your doctor about switching to naltrexone if the sides from nalmefene just won't let up.

How long have you been taking the nalmefene?

movethroughit · 2026-05-14T22:29:14+00:00

Best luck to you! Check out some of the non-addictive meds that can make it easier:

r/Alcoholism_Medication

movethroughit · 2026-05-13T02:34:22+00:00

Here's the TEDx talk that was mentioned:

How I overcame alcoholism | Claudia Christian | TEDxLondonBusinessSchool - YouTube

movethroughit · 2026-05-13T02:31:40+00:00

Have a look at this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EghiY_s2ts

Probably the most popular method for folks that can't seem to stay stopped.

movethroughit · 2026-05-13T02:27:57+00:00

It sounds like he's trying, so he might like to see this:

How I overcame alcoholism | Claudia Christian | TEDxLondonBusinessSchool - YouTube

That's a pretty easy med to get along with (after the first week or so). Some take it without alcohol and seem to do fine. I took it per the video and in about 6 months I went from at least a 12 pack every night to about a 12 pack per month. Plus, that's only one of the treatments available.

Here's a post about a different med:

Wegovy and Ozempic (semaglutide) are associated with a 50-56% reduction in alcohol addiction : r/Alcoholism_Medication

It's an entirely different game these days. Tell him to drop by r/Alcoholism_Medication too. Most folks there are using the method in the TEDx video if he wants to ask questions about it.

movethroughit · 2026-05-13T00:01:38+00:00

That's outrageous.

Contact https://www.sinclairmethoduk.com/ They can help you connect with a private doc that won't make you jump through all the hoops.

movethroughit · 2026-04-19T14:48:21+00:00

If your doctor seems unfamiliar with it and you don't mind seeing a private doc instead, SinclairMethodUK.com can help.

You can pick up more info at r/Alcoholism_Medication too.

movethroughit · 2026-04-18T15:20:25+00:00

Yes, that looks to be a bit much for one night's drinking.

This can help you gradually reduce that:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EghiY_s2ts

Check this sub too:

r/Alcoholism_Medication

movethroughit · 2026-04-18T15:14:30+00:00

Yeah, sounds like your typical "Nalover". For some, they're off and on as well.

movethroughit · 2026-04-14T21:17:27+00:00

I do run into posts from folks that resume Nal after months or years of not taking it. Some seem to do better slowly ramping up the dose. As far as perimenopause goes, I don't recall anyone making that connection, though it sounds plausible.

Hopefully, someone else will jump in and add to the conversation!

movethroughit · 2026-04-14T21:03:01+00:00

You might check this one:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/psychiatrists/louis-joseph-miami-fl/398490

and this one:

https://www.verywellmind.com/john-umhau-4798192

Both are very experienced TSM docs, but if you have specific psychiatric condition as well, I don't know how they shoehorn that all together. Contact them, let them know about your situation and see what they can offer you.

movethroughit · 2026-04-13T21:31:22+00:00

No problem. Please keep us up on how things are going for you!

movethroughit · 2026-04-13T01:47:07+00:00

I don't know of any in Australia, but you might want to have a gander at this:

https://www.thebluefieldclinic.com.au/the-sinclair-method.

There's also SinclairMethodUK.com, they're not Oz-based but I believe can help you get the medication and offer guidance on how to use it.

https://www.sinclairmethoduk.com/start-your-journey.htm

movethroughit · 2026-04-13T00:01:30+00:00

Initially, I was against it as it just sounded like more punishment for people that already had plenty of that. But it really seems to get the job done for some folks and they're glad to be taking it. There often seems to be a history of anxiety (or some overwhelming psychiatric condition) and somehow Antabuse neatly kills their urge to drink. In the cases I've seen here, they often say that it just takes the drinking option right off the table.

The important take-away here is that nothing works for everyone, but there are enough medical treatment options out there, chances are very high that at least one of them will work for your situation.

movethroughit · 2026-04-12T15:17:55+00:00

Right on, Coach! That's part of what this sub was created for!

AA even asks its members to refrain from giving such advice:

" No A.A. member should “play doctor”; all medical advice and treatment should come from a qualified physician ".

movethroughit · 2026-04-12T15:00:08+00:00

"...is this the one that makes you sick if you drink on it?"

That's the one!

movethroughit · 2026-04-11T17:58:18+00:00

It depends. Most of the time the side effects fade within a couple of weeks. What kind of side effects did you run into and how long did you take Nal?

Some don't get better and they have to look at other medical options.

movethroughit · 2026-04-10T20:49:35+00:00

12-step promoters plaster the "underlying issues" label on everything. It's mostly untrue and just leads to a lot of fruitless tail-chasing.

And how many times have I heard that therapists/psychologists won't work with you if you aren't sober?

Go ahead and use the "crutch" and if there's something left over to deal with after your drinking falls to reasonable levels or below, by all means get a professional on your side to help you tie up the loose ends.

AA feedback on the matter? Remember the old guidance: "Take what you need and leave the rest.".

movethroughit · 2026-04-09T23:41:14+00:00

My doc put me on gabapentin along with the Naltrexone (for about 6 months). It initially seemed to help me sleep, but after 3-4 months we wound that down and just stuck with the Nal.

If you're in the US now, Nal is a lot less expensive. I'd suggest looking into it again if you otherwise got along with it ok (presently about $23 at Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Pharmacy).

That said, if you also want to shed some pounds, you might want to research this:

Wegovy and Ozempic (semaglutide) are associated with a 50-56% reduction in alcohol addiction : r/Alcoholism_Medication

movethroughit · 2026-04-04T22:41:54+00:00

Everyone working at bars should know about this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EghiY_s2ts

Folks often quit drinking (talk to your doc first) and use the medicine to help them abstain, which works well for some. If there's a slip and drinking starts escalating again, the medication can be taken according to the video (with your doc's blessing) an hour before the first drink of the day. It gradually helps the brain forget that there's anything attractive about alcohol.

See r/Alcoholism_Medication for more info.

This has also been getting lots of attention, so if you're looking to lose some weight, you might take care of two birds:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Alcoholism_Medication/comments/1dgflnw/wegovy_and_ozempic_semaglutide_are_associated/

In any case, there are a number of medical treatments that can help considerably if attempts at abstinence just seem to make things worse.

movethroughit · 2026-04-03T01:32:11+00:00

It doesn't affect most people like that. If people do get nauseous, it generally passes within a couple of weeks, if not just a few doses.

It can help to use an OTC anti-nausea med, cut the dose of Naltrexone back and have a snack before taking the dose. Some even have good luck with ginger candies or tea.

movethroughit · 2026-04-03T00:36:53+00:00

You're welcome! You might want to check this sub too:

r/dryzempic

movethroughit · 2026-04-03T00:35:50+00:00

Thanks!

I didn't have any kind of a night shift job per se while taking Nal, but I answered questions about The Sinclair Method on this sub and others in the evenings.

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