Reasonably Optimistic Dry January? Sometimes drinking is part of the solution.
18 snips
Jan 14, 2026 
In a compelling discussion, journalist and podcaster Katie Herzog shares her journey with alcohol and the unconventional Sinclair Method. She opens up about her early drinking experiences and the struggles she faced in her 30s, attempting various sobriety approaches like AA and therapy. Katie details how she discovered the Sinclair Method, involving naltrexone to help rewire her relationship with alcohol. She emphasizes the challenges of compliance and cultural pushback against this method while offering insights on who can benefit from it. This engaging conversation blends personal experience with actionable advice.
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Pandemic Day Drinking Became Compulsive
- During COVID Katie's day drinking escalated while her wife worked long shifts, and she hid bottles and acted sober when needed. She recognized the behavior as compulsive and mentally exhausting and sought a solution.
Unlearning Pleasure Via The Sinclair Method
- The Sinclair Method pairs naltrexone with drinking to produce extinction of alcohol's pleasure. Repeatedly blocking alcohol's reward unlearns the alcohol-pleasure association and reduces craving.
Humiliating Moments Prompted Action
- Katie described humiliating blackout behavior like urinating outside and being confronted by her wife, which helped prompt change. Those moments increased her urgency to find an alternative to rehab and AA.
