From Alcoholics Anonymous to The Sinclair Method_ Honest Conversation with David Belenky

This episode features an in-depth conversation between Katie and David Balancie (pronounced “Blankie”) about David’s personal journey with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and his experience using the Sinclair Method (TSM) as an alternative approach to traditional recovery. David shares his background, including two and a half years in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), his struggles with cravings and depression, and his eventual discovery of TSM. He details how TSM, which involves taking naltrexone to reduce cravings by rewiring the brain’s response to alcohol, gradually transformed his relationship with drinking over four years.

David explains the challenges he faced transitioning away from the abstinence-based mindset of AA, including feelings of guilt and shame for not adhering to traditional sobriety norms. He emphasizes the importance of combining TSM medication with behavioral support and recovery work to address the root causes of drinking, such as social anxiety and life stressors. The discussion also covers the realities of long-term management of AUD, the necessity of ongoing accountability, and the dangers of complacency—even after years on TSM.

Both Katie and David reflect on the limitations of the traditional recovery model and advocate for broader, more compassionate understandings of recovery that include medication-assisted approaches like TSM. They highlight the stigma and misunderstanding around TSM, especially from the sober community, and encourage people to seek individualized paths that work for them. The conversation concludes with advice for newcomers to TSM, emphasizing patience, compliance, support networks, and the recognition that recovery is a process, not an immediate fix.

About Katie Lain

Katie Lain struggled with alcohol use disorder for nearly ten years until she stumbled upon The Sinclair Method. She couldn’t believe how effective the treatment was as it truly allowed her to become a moderate “normal drinker” – yet somehow, most people hadn’t even heard about it before. Katie Lain’s personal success with The Sinclair Method has inspired her to be a lifelong advocate for this method. Today, Katie is "accidentally" alcohol-free as she unexpectedly lost interest in drinking, thanks to this treatment. Now she advocates for and supports others through this wildly effective (yet unknown) treatment for alcohol use disorder.

*Links*

https://www.thrivealcoholrecovery.com/

https://tiktok.com/@thrivealcoholrecovery

https://youtube.com/@thrivealcoholrecovery/

https://www.instagram.com/thrivealcoholrecovery/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivewiththesinclairmethod

https://www.linkedin.com/company/thrive-alcohol-recovery/

https://twitter.com/thrivewithtsm/