The Sinclair Method gives you back the power of choice. It allows you to either moderate or quit drinking entirely—without feelings of deprivation. Change happens gradually, until indifference to alcohol naturally takes hold.
People with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) experience an exaggerated brain response when they drink. While most people feel mild relaxation or slight disinhibition, those with AUD may feel intense euphoria. This happens because drinking triggers a massive release of endorphins—the brain’s natural feel-good chemicals—which activate the opioid system, the same system affected by substances like heroin and morphine.
Building on this knowledge, Dr. David Sinclair made a groundbreaking discovery: What if we blocked these receptors before drinking? If endorphins couldn't activate the opioid receptors, the brain wouldn't receive the excessive "reward" that reinforces addiction.
By taking naltrexone one hour before drinking, the brain still produces endorphins, but the medication acts as a shield—blocking the opioid receptors and preventing the usual surge of pleasure. As a result, the euphoric effects of alcohol are either drastically reduced or eliminated.
Each time this process is repeated—taking the medication before drinking and not receiving the expected reward—the brain gradually loses interest in alcohol. Over time, the cravings weaken until they disappear entirely. This is called pharmacological extinction—the moment when the brain "unlearns" the link between alcohol and excessive pleasure.
At this stage, true choice returns. You can choose to drink in moderation or stop drinking altogether—because the motivation to drink has been restored to what it was before you developed Alcohol Use Disorder.
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