Conversations with Rich Bennett

Katie Lain On Beating Binge Drinking And Finding Balance

Rich Bennett / Katie Lain

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 1:07:04

Rich talks with recovery advocate Katie Lain about The Sinclair Method (TSM), a medication-assisted, science-based approach that helps people reduce or end problem drinking without the all-or-nothing pressure to stay abstinent. Katie shares her decade-long struggle with binge drinking, how naltrexone changed her brain’s reward loop, and why TSM can be a discreet, at-home path to control for millions. Listeners will learn how cravings fade, why relapse rates differ from traditional models, and how to combine medication with real-life coping skills. 

Sponsored by Serenity Salt Spa 

Guest Bio:  

Katie Lain is the founder of Thrive Alcohol Recovery and a leading educator on The Sinclair Method for alcohol use disorder. Sober since 2017 through TSM, she creates evidence-informed content, works with clinicians and researchers (including naltrexone pioneer Dr. Joseph Volpicelli), and helps thousands regain control—without labels, shame, or mandatory abstinence. 

Main Topics: 

·         Katie’s story: daily binge drinking in her 20s, failed quits, and finding TSM in 2017. 

·         How TSM works: take naltrexone 1 hour before drinking; it blunts alcohol’s reward so intake naturally falls over time. 

·         Timelines & side effects: early wins in weeks; most see full results around a year; common, mild early side effects often fade. 

·         Myths & misconceptions: moderation can be possible after dependence when the brain is “re-trained”; naltrexone is non-addictive; TSM can be done discreetly at home. 

·         Comparing models: high relapse after traditional treatment vs. strong outcomes reported with TSM; why adherence (taking the pill before drinking) matters. 

·         Trauma, coping skills, nutrition: meeting the medication halfway with therapy, skills, and health supports. 

·         Success stories: from daily bottles to effortless moderation; unexpected alcohol indifference.  

Resources mentioned: 

·         Thrive Alcohol Recovery – program, free resources, and socials: thrivealcoholrecovery.com

·         Dr. Joseph Volpicelli (naltrexone researcher) and upcoming myth-busting livestreams/podcast. 

·         Concepts: Naltrexone; The Sinclair Method; Alcohol Deprivation Effect; moderation vs. abstinence.

·         Episode Sponsor: Serenity Salt Spa

·         Supporter: Real Life Prosthetics

·         Supporter: Full Circle Boards

·         Supporter: Sincerely Sawyer Photography 

Send us Fan Mail

Ride For Life

Healing Arts & Music Festival

Serenity Salt Spa
Serenity Salt Spa is the 1st Himalayan Salt Therapy & Wellness Spa to come to Harford County, Maryla

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts 

Follow the Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast on Social Media:
Facebook – Conversations with Rich Bennett
Facebook Group (Join the conversation) – Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast group | Facebook
Twitter – Conversations with Rich Bennett
Instagram – @conversationswithrichbennett
TikTok – CWRB (@conversationsrichbennett) | TikTok

Sponsors, Affiliates, and ways we pay the bills:
Hosted on Buzzsprout
SquadCast

Subscribe by Email

Podcasts we love

Check out these other fine podcasts recommended by us, not an algorithm.

Mouthful of Graffiti Artwork

Mouthful of Graffiti

Mouthful of Graffiti Podcast
TRUTH Be Told Podcast Artwork

TRUTH Be Told Podcast

Voice of Truth Media - The Multimedia Ministry of the Voice of Truth Center
Spirit Speakeasy Artwork

Spirit Speakeasy

Joy Giovanni
Podcasting Made Simple Artwork

Podcasting Made Simple

Alex Sanfilippo, PodMatch.com
Buzzcast Artwork

Buzzcast

Buzzsprout
TMA Connection Artwork

TMA Connection

Tim Markland
Mentally A Badass Artwork

Mentally A Badass

Justine Rodes
Chatter Box Radio Artwork

Chatter Box Radio

Carrie Farris
Healing #Nofilter Artwork

Healing #Nofilter

Laura Renner
The Proffitt Podcast Artwork

The Proffitt Podcast

Krystal Proffitt
Creating Joyful Readers Artwork

Creating Joyful Readers

Samantha in Secondary
#RockStarLife: Coffee Break Artwork

#RockStarLife: Coffee Break

Zenobia Darling Creative
Make Your Day Richer Artwork

Make Your Day Richer

Richard Wilmore