How Much Does The Sinclair Method Cost?

The Sinclair Method (TSM) is a treatment for alcohol use disorder that involves the use of naltrexone medication along with continued drinking. The cost of the Sinclair Method can vary based on a number of factors including the cost of the medication, doctor's visits, and any additional fees associated with the treatment process.

In this article, we'll break down the costs of using naltrexone following The Sinclair Method both inside and outside of Thrive's private program.

We'll focus on the cost of this treatment for people within the United States. 🇺🇸

To begin with, there are usually 3 separate costs you'll want to consider when starting the Sinclair Method:

1. The cost of the doctor's visit to get your prescription
2. The cost of the medication prescription at the pharmacy
3. The cost of any additional support you get alongside the treatment (ie, therapy or Thrive's program)

We'll cover each of these costs individually, then give you an estimated total for everything at the end.

1. How much is the doctor's visit to start The Sinclair Method?

This depends on a number of factors, including which doctor you see. Here are the two most common scenarios for the cost of the physician visit to secure naltrexone.

Option 1: Getting naltrexone from your general practitioner or psychiatrist. 

• You can go to your regular general practitioner or psychiatrist and ask for a prescription. If you have insurance, this visit may be covered by insurance (minus your co-pay). If you don't have insurance, you'll have to pay out of pocket for this. The cost of a general physician or psychiatrist visit varies greatly by your physician, you should call and ask what they charge.
  • ☝️ Important note: Unfortunately, many general practitioners and psychiatrists are not aware of naltrexone or how to use it for alcohol use disorder. So there's a chance your doctor will refuse the prescription, or they may prescribe it to you incorrectly (not following TSM). So just be aware of that.

Option 2: Getting naltrexone from a telemedicine doctor.

• At Thrive, we've partnered with telemedicine physicians in all 50 states who prescribe naltrexone following The Sinclair Method. It's really easy to get the medication prescription this way as you meet with the doctor via phone or video and they can send the medicine to your local pharmacy, or even mail it to your house.
• The cost of this service varies by each provider, but it's roughly $175 for your first visit, then $70 for your follow ups. You can see more details about this cost here.

2. How much does the naltrexone prescription cost?

In the United States, naltrexone is pretty affordable because it's a generic medication.

• It's estimated to be roughly $1/pill, or about $30 for a 30 day supply (without insurance).
• If you have an insurance prescription plan, it may cover some or all of the cost of the medication.
• Additional, you can get coupons on sites like costplusdrugs.com which can reduce the cost of naltrexone to about $16 for 30 pills.

3. How much is the support program for The Sinclair Method?

According to a number of studies, as well as anecdotal experiences, getting professional and peer support is crucial to long-term success on The Sinclair Method. People who get support are often shown to have better outcomes with the method because The Sinclair Method is a long-term treatment protocol – and there can be many ups and downs and nuances to the treatment.

Here are some of the support options available. 

Option 1: Joining Thrive's Alcohol Freedom Program

• At Thrive, our entire program is centered around The Sinclair Method so we can focus on providing exclusive to support to those using this method.
• When members join they have lifetime access to a team of coaches, mentors and peers to support them at every step in the journey.
• They'll have access to live groups and workshops, video courses, exercises, articles and so much more.
• The cost of Thrive's program is $997 for lifetime access, and we also offer payment plans to help you break the cost down over time. Click here to learn more and get started.
  • ☝️ Please note, this cost includes lifetime access to our support program but does not include the cost of the physician or the prescription. You can see those estimated costs here.

Option 2: Getting therapy support

• Many people find that working 1-1 with a therapist can help them heal from the reasons why they drank excessively in the first place – whether that's addressing trauma or other mental health concerns.
• The cost of therapy can greatly vary depending on where you live, the type of therapist you work with and whether or not you have insurance. 
• If you don't have a therapist you currently work with, you can start your search via PsychologyToday.com.

What's my estimated total cost to start The Sinclair Method with Thrive Alcohol Recovery?

Here is a breakdown of the separate costs for starting on The Sinclair Method with Thrive, in addition to the total cost at the bottom.

1. Cost of the first physician telemedicine appointment: approx. $175
2. Cost of the follow up physician appointments: approx. $70
   • Typically a follow up is required after the first 30 days, then every few months after that
3. Cost of the medication: approx. $30 for a 30 day supply (without insurance)
4. Cost of lifetime access to Thrive's support program: $997 (or $347 for 3 months, or $197 for 6 months)
   • Learn more about payment plan options here

Here's your estimated total cost for getting started on The Sinclair Method with Thrive Alcohol Recovery:

• Physician visit + naltrexone prescription + single payment option for the program: $1,202  
  • ☝️ Please note, your total starting cost can be lower if you decide to use one of our payment plans, instead of making a single payment. Click here to see our payment plans.

We hope this article helps you understand how much The Sinclair Method costs – from the cost of the physician, the naltrexone and support when you're starting this treatment.

Please reach out to us if we can help you further!

Katie