If you’re following the Sinclair Method (TSM) for treating alcohol use disorder (AUD), you might wonder: What does it actually feel like to drink alcohol on naltrexone?
This is an important question because naltrexone changes how your brain responds to alcohol. It’s not just about taking a pill—it’s about retraining your brain and building a new relationship with drinking. Here’s what it feels like, based on my personal experience and what I’ve learned from others on this journey.
How Naltrexone Works
When you take naltrexone before drinking, it blocks the flood of endorphins your brain usually experiences with alcohol. Endorphins are part of what creates that euphoric "buzz," driving the cycle of drinking more and more.
Without the same rush of endorphins, many worry that drinking will lose all its pleasure. But here’s the truth: drinking on naltrexone can still be enjoyable. You can still feel a buzz, and yes, you can even get drunk.
A New Sense of Control
For me, drinking on naltrexone was more enjoyable because it gave me something I hadn’t had in years: control.
Before naltrexone, I couldn’t stop after one or two drinks. Once I started, it was like flipping a switch, and I’d drink until blackout. But with naltrexone, I began to develop an "off switch." If I said I’d have two drinks, I actually stopped at two. This sense of control changed everything.
Many others I’ve worked with share a similar experience. They find that because naltrexone gives them control, they enjoy drinking more. It’s no longer about chasing an endless buzz—it’s about having a drink or two and feeling satisfied.
How the Drinking Experience Changes
Drinking on naltrexone isn’t the same as drinking without it, and that’s a good thing.
Here’s what changes:
- Less Intensity: Your brain isn’t flooded with endorphins, so drinking feels less like a "high" and more like a casual experience.
- No Endless Cycle: The obsessive drive for the next drink—common with AUD—begins to fade. The medication dampens that reward system, so over time, you stop chasing the buzz.
- Satisfaction: One or two drinks often feel like enough. It’s similar to eating dessert—having a second helping might not even sound appealing anymore.
At first, these changes can feel subtle. Some people don’t notice much right away. But over time, drinking becomes less exciting and less important.
From Obsession to Indifference
Before naltrexone, alcohol dominated my life. I drank every day, and once I started, I couldn’t stop.
After starting the medication and following the Sinclair Method, something amazing happened: I stopped thinking about alcohol all the time. Drinking became less alluring, less urgent. I could enjoy one or two drinks and feel completely satisfied—no more endless craving for more.
Eventually, I stopped drinking altogether, not because I had to, but because I lost interest in it. Alcohol simply didn’t hold the same power over me anymore.
What It Feels Like, In a Nutshell
It’s hard to describe exactly what drinking on naltrexone feels like because it’s unlike anything I’d experienced before. But if I had to sum it up:
- Drinking becomes less intense and less exciting.
- You gain a sense of control, making it easier to stick to your intentions.
- Over time, the lure of alcohol fades, and for many, drinking becomes more of a choice than a compulsion.
Still Curious?
If you’re exploring the Sinclair Method or just want to understand how naltrexone works, know that it’s a powerful tool for changing your relationship with alcohol. It’s not about taking all the fun out of drinking—it’s about taking the power back.
To learn more about this treatment and how it works, click here.
Medical Disclaimer: This content is not for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a healthcare professional for any medical concerns. Do not ignore or delay seeking medical advice based on what you read here.
