TSM 101
What is the Sinclair Method?
The Sinclair Method (TSM) is a treatment for alcohol addiction that uses a technique called pharmacological extinction—the use of an opiate blocker to turn habit-forming behaviors into habit-erasing behaviors. The effect returns a person’s craving for alcohol to its pre-addiction state.
TSM consists of taking an opiate blocker one hour before your first drink of the day for the rest of your life as long as you continue to drink. The opiate blocker chemically disrupts the body’s behavior/reward cycle causing you to want to drink less instead of more.
To read Dr Sinclair's complete description, please visit the C Three Foundation website by clicking the button below.
How does the Sinclair Method work?
The Sinclair Method (TSM) is a research based, medication assisted treatment for alcohol use
disorder that targets the brain's reward system through the process of pharmacological extinction, resulting in the reduction of heavy drinking and addictive cravings.
How do I ‘do’ TSM?
1. Find a doctor and let him/her know you want to reduce your drinking using naltrexone
(prescription only medication).
2. Get a support system. Whether it’s family and friends, a peer support group, TSM Coaching or formal counseling, support is critical to recovery success. If you have a co-occurring disorder, we strongly encourage you to see a licensed professional in addition to informal support.
3. Your TSM doctor will discuss the prescribing protocol and any changes specific to your needs with you. The basic protocol states one should take the medication one hour before drinking alcohol, every time you drink alcohol.
4. Accurately track your drinks. (Free drink log spreadsheet here.)
5. Take part in pleasurable activities on the days when you do not drink alcohol.
6. Set realistic expectations. This is not a treatment that provides immediate results. It takes months to extinguish the alcohol = reward response.
7. The Sinclair Method works exclusively on the biological portion of addiction. Only YOU can change your habits.
Official Guidelines/Resources
BC Emergency Medicine Network
Alcohol Use Disorder Recommended Treatment
Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction
Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health
Prescription Assistance
British Columbia
Naltrexone is No longer considered a "limited coverage" drug that meets Special Authority criteria for one year. You no longer need to request that your provider submit a Collaborative Prescribing Agreement to receive coverage.
BC Centre on Substance Use: May 2, 2023 update
Ontario
In Ontario, naltrexone is considered a "limited use" medication. Your provider must review the Limited Use criteria to ensure the proper coding is added for it to be covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit Program.
Science of the Sinclair Method
Access the scientific citation list on the C Three Foundation website by clicking on the button below.