> because you know that something that has an effect you enjoy immensely
> And if you slip you're back on the thick of things - like why alcoholics can't have a social drink.
I know someone who prescribes naltrexone for alcohol addiction, which has the specific purpose of blocking the positive effect of the alcohol. So you can have the drink, and you won't enjoy it, and it's easier to live with.
The Sinclair Method does have impressive results, and I've have some success with it in the past.
For alcoholics at a certain level (thinking of myself here – yes, anecdotal), there is the necessary accountability to take the naltrexone tablet and "deprive" one of the euphoria, which can be difficult to maintain over a long period of time.
With Vivitrol (an injectable form of Naltrexone that lasts ~1 month per injection), it is not difficult to simply "drink through it". Results in an absolute horrible hangover – sure – but that's not necessarily enough to stop the motivated alcoholic.
Overall though, MAT is a valuable tool in the toolbox.
> And if you slip you're back on the thick of things - like why alcoholics can't have a social drink.
I know someone who prescribes naltrexone for alcohol addiction, which has the specific purpose of blocking the positive effect of the alcohol. So you can have the drink, and you won't enjoy it, and it's easier to live with.