Data
Week 1 – 18 Drinks (0 Alcohol Free Days)
Week 2 – 21.5 Drinks (0 Alcohol Free Days)
Week 3 – 14.5 Drinks (3 Alcohol Free Days)
Observations
My weekly intake of alcohol while using the Sinclair Method has fluctuated somewhat but overall has decreased. So far I think the drug has had an effect but I that effect has not been as dramatic as I expected it to be so far. Nevertheless, I have been told that it can take up to three months to fully kick in and I intend to be fully compliant at least until that time period has fully expired.
I have noticed that the experience of alcohol while on Naltrexone is slightly different than I remember it being prior to embarking on the Sinclair Journey. Alcohol still seems to “take the edge off” but there also seems to be a “headachey” quality to drinking that sits there in the background. I have also noticed that if I have one or two drinks it is pretty easy to stop. But there is a hump between drinks two and three that if I can get over seems to make drinking feel more like it used to prior to taking Naltrexone.
I must admit that in addition to the narcotic effect of the drug itself, part of the reason why I am drinking less on Naltrexone is that I have to take the pill one hour before drinking. For example. there was a situation where someone offered me a beer but I declined because I had not had my pill. In another situation I was planning on taking the pill an hour prior to going to a cook out. However, I got stuck in traffic and did not get home until the time of the cook out. I took the pill at that time but then had to wait an hour before drinking. I suspect that I would have had more to drink that day if I did not have to wait that hour.
In summary I am still not 100% sure the drug is going to do all the work to bring me to a state of sobriety or moderation. Naltrexone does seem to make it easier for me to use my own volition in the process. But it is still early in the process and I have a ways to go before I have all the information.
Sinclair Journey 