Sinclair Method Studies
This article examines the scientific foundation behind TSM, drawing on nearly three decades of peer‑reviewed trials, neuroimaging research, and systematic reviews.
The Sinclair Method didn’t originate in a corporate lab or a detox facility—it started in a Helsinki research centre. Dr John David Sinclair, a behavioural psychologist from the United States, moved to Finland in the early 1970s after completing his PhD. There, he joined Alko Laboratories, the research arm of Finland’s state alcohol monopoly, which would later become part of the country’s National Public Health Institute.
When it comes to changing our relationship with alcohol, many of us are told there's only one way: stop drinking completely, right now. But what if that approach is too harsh—too unforgiving—for where we're at emotionally, psychologically, or even physically?
The landscape of alcohol recovery is undergoing a major transformation. For decades, abstinence was seen as the only viable path to recovery—often rigid, binary, and stigmatised. But science and innovation are rewriting that narrative. Today, we stand at the threshold of a new paradigm—one rooted in neuroscience, evidence, and personal empowerment.
When we think of recovery from alcohol dependency, the image that often springs to mind is a circle of people saying, “Hi, I’m John, and I’m an alcoholic.” This familiar ritual of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been a cornerstone of addiction recovery since the 1930s. But as society changes, and science advances, many are asking: is AA becoming outdated?