Strictly Sinclair Week 2

[Guest]

Strictly Sinclair Week 2

:heart::heart::heart:Today, Sunday, appears the TSM site is still down. I hope anyone who needs support will write here, as I believe other people are here reading and needing connection.
It is very good to be at least able to have this site as communication and it is most kind of Roberta to allow this connection for us all.
Hope everyone is ok and having a good day.
I have been very depressed but just started a course of Wellbutrin. I have fought for years to not take a drug, I have tried natural ways to up my serotonin levels, but still succumb to depression. I know the AL has not helped this, but we all must do the best we can.:heart::heart::heart:

[mikeone]

Strictly Sinclair Week 2

Just checking in since TSM is still down...

Mike

[Firebird]

Strictly Sinclair Week 2

Hi all, just wondering if anyone has any information about the site? Hope you are all doing well :l

[BGH]

Strictly Sinclair Week 2

Hi Firebird. I'm lost without the other site - don't know what happened. I've been reading lots of interesting stuff here tho...and have seen in past years the Sinclair site has been down. I thought it was hackers this time but could be just technical stuff...I have no brains for that stuff. I imagine we'll see some old buddies here before long.

[bob3d]

Strictly Sinclair Week 2

pinkmilk;738159 wrote: Bob, thank you so so much for your post. Just showed it to my husband, who is so so sceptical about TSM. I am almost in tears because your message gives me new hope.
I so want this to work and to hear that Naltrexone has worked for someone is fantastic.
It's been a good week altogether as I finally got an appointment with a CBT practitioner on Friday and even though he hadn't heard about TSM he was interested enough to borrow the book from me.
Thanks again, Bob!
It is so good to meet "real" people the Sinclair Method has helped.
C xx

I am happy I could help, if only with my real experience. I guess that is worth something. Once the treatment works, you still must address the root cause that caused you to have a drinking problem. The addiction will be solved, but the underlying cause is likely remaining. With me it is chronic anxiety caused by a psychiatric condition known as hypomania according to my psychiatrist. The only medical treatment right now is mood stabilizers (SSRI's) and central nervous system depressants (benzodiazaphines). These I take to lead a "normal" life. Surprisingly 1/4 of my original dose of Valium (Benzo) after my alcohol addiction was eliminated.

Anyway, life is certainly much better without the alcohol addiction, but "the cure" is not a panacea to all our maladies. So even though it is something to be hoped for and then cherished once you attain it, there is still real life to contend with and manage.

Wishing you and your understandingly skeptical husband the best,

Bob

[pinkmilk]

Strictly Sinclair Week 2

Bob, once again thank you so much!
Just had another sniping remark by my husband.... :0(
after having friends over and yes, I did drink rather a lot( no more than our friends, but too much for my husband).
Really hoping that the CBT will address the old problems/habits. With me, I started drinking out of control after the birth of my third child. For some stupid reason I thought he was the ugliest baby in the world. And it was a boy, whereas I had my heart set on a girl. Poor little thing didn't even have a name until he was a month old.
Still, it is ridiculous that this set me up to drink every night, when now I love him as much as my other kids- and he's not at all ugly!!
Sorry for rambling!
Thanks again for your kind reply!!
C xx

[bob3d]

Strictly Sinclair Week 2

pinkmilk;738948 wrote: Bob, once again thank you so much!
Just had another sniping remark by my husband.... :0(
after having friends over and yes, I did drink rather a lot( no more than our friends, but too much for my husband).
Really hoping that the CBT will address the old problems/habits. With me, I started drinking out of control after the birth of my third child. For some stupid reason I thought he was the ugliest baby in the world. And it was a boy, whereas I had my heart set on a girl. Poor little thing didn't even have a name until he was a month old.
Still, it is ridiculous that this set me up to drink every night, when now I love him as much as my other kids- and he's not at all ugly!!
Sorry for rambling!
Thanks again for your kind reply!!
C xx

Give your hubby a break... at least a little. I "sniped" at my wife this morning about leaving the door wide open for the cat letting the cold air in... and of course she had actually closed it. Anyway, it's a male thing... speak before we think. We're used to it after 32 years.

It's tough for a spouse to witness month after month of "uncontrolled" drinking while their loved one is taking Naltrexone and nothing seems to be happening. Fortunately (in a sad way), my wife had given up on a cure or control mechanism, so TSM was a wait-and-see treatment for me that I alone needed to be concerned with. My wife felt I was a lost cause. But to my surprise it worked. To this day I am truly surprised that it reduced cravings and diminished my desire for alcohol to almost nil. My wife was astounded that I found a treatment that was successful after having undergone all the traditional abstinence based 12 step programs which sap you of you self esteem, dignity, and a positive hope for a future. (No offense to them of course). Anyway, we have a medical problem and we have medical solution. And it works in the majority of people if they perform the treatment as instructed consistently and stick with it indefinitely.

So keep it up. Even when it doesn't seem to be working, keep doing it. It doesn't hurt to continue. There is only an up side, there is no down side.

Bob

[lenaleed]

Strictly Sinclair Week 2

Hey all -- I don't know what's going on either. I'll post about chat tomorrow. I'm sleepy

Zman!! Where have you been!? We've missed you. You're right: The sky is not falling. :HI had to go off naltrexone for a few WEEKS due to serious illness/pain meds and just could not swear off the booze. I drank off nal although I hated the idea but I had no choice. I would never do it intentionally. I managed to keep it low consumption and resumed as soon as I could. It was not the end of the world -- I quickly resumed my TSM progress and after my ups and downs am pretty much at moderate levels though I have a wat to go before I will "call it". Progress continues for up to 3 years according to Sinclair's studies. You're not the first to forget to pop a nal. Just don't make it a habit and you'll be fine. At worst you lost one precious opportunity to extinguish alcohol adiction. There will be many more. I seem to recall you got your mitts on a copy of Eskapa's book. Remember, he says extinction takes place very slowly and we cannot consciously feel it. It's a passive process except for taking the naltrexone. Just keep taking the naltrexone and you'll be fine.

[eight days a week]

Strictly Sinclair Week 2

Hi guys, site still down

Anyway, hope all are well

Hey pinkmilk, hopefully the site will be back up soon. When it is do check it out - there is so much support and advice there for spouses and their reactions to TSM, not least through the many detailed personal stories that many have posted.

All the best to you!

8

[BGH]

Strictly Sinclair Week 2

Hi all TSM refugees hope all is well this morning. Note: The People's Pharmacy will air an interview with Dr. Eskapa on January 2, 2010 on NPR. Might be a good listen to start the new year - in case any of us have been naughty on New Years Eve!!

Minor break thru for me last night - Sunday is usually a "busy" night for me - had two 4oz glasses of red - poured a third, even measured it out carefully, but didn't touch it. Sort of looked at it and said - the heck with it, I'm done. Boy that felt so good.

I am seeing a bit of what those who don't comply go through. I really wanted to get high last night but couldn't - darned nal!!!!

[BGH]

Strictly Sinclair Week 2

Canadian Orders Now Getting Through

I'm just so happy today - got my order from River Pharmacy in just two weeks. I guess that means orders are getting through the border again. Canadians Order Now!!! Those damned government sneaks may start holding up stuff again. Damned I hate this!!! But happy joyful day today!!!!! Another bonus - River is half the price of my local pharma.

For others interest - I'm going to continue with my doctor - he may be ok with giving me another month when I go see him at end of Oct. But at least I now have 4 months supply tucked away. Boy that makes me almost as happy as knowing I can have a drink tonight!!!

[Lenore]

Strictly Sinclair Week 2

Nice when you can easily pass up a glass of wine, isn't it?! Good for you, BGH. I've shared my NAL experience with friends who drink, but so far no takers. *shrug* Everyone has to find their own way, I guess.

[pinkmilk]

Strictly Sinclair Week 2

Thanks 8!
Will definately try the SM website when it is up and running.
Would really like to find out where everyone gets their Naltrexone from.
Thanks again for the support! C xxx

[BGH]

Strictly Sinclair Week 2

Hi Lenore, yes it really is great when one can pass up a glass. However, tonight when hitting one of my major triggers - company for dinner and lots of fun and talk and yakking and drinking - I've had at least 4 and wish I had had more control...but only on day 19 so can't expect perfection. Tomorrow is another day. I'd like to keep drinking as that is my habit, but I really fear the hangovers - way worse on TSM. So I'm done!! TSM site is down again!! oh well.

[Blondemerlot]

Strictly Sinclair Week 2

I am on Naltrexone week 16...No evidence of decrease of drinking.I take 50 mg. one hour before.I try to keep up with my journal.The other day I took 100mg one hour before and experienced nausea and disgust for the wine. Is that too much to take?The 50mg. has not caused any difference in sessions or amounts. I don't ever get real cravings just enjoy the relaxing feeling I get after work.
Would appreciate any feed back on this matter.Oh BTW-I tried Topamax but he side effects were horrible!