Alcura User Guide

Getting Started

First Time Setup

When you first open Alcura, you'll be guided through a simple setup process for TSM tracking:

1. Grant permission for notifications to receive naltrexone reminders
2. Allow Health app integration for comprehensive health tracking
3. Set up your TSM medication schedule (optional)
4. Select your preferred language (English or Dutch)
5. Configure your personal treatment preferences

Home Screen Overview

The home screen is your dashboard showing:

• Current Status: Whether you have an active drinking session or are session-free
• Progress Overview: Daily and weekly consumption summaries and TSM progress
• Recent Sessions: Your last 3 logged sessions for quick reference
• Action Buttons: Quick access to start new sessions or manage active ones

Starting Alcohol Sessions

Starting a Session

There are two ways to start logging a drinking session:

What to Track

Alcura lets you track comprehensive details about each drinking session:

Essential Information

• Date & Time: When the drinking session started
• Alcohol Units: Number of standard drinks consumed
• Drink Types: Type of alcohol consumed (beer, wine, spirits, etc.)
• Duration: How long the session lasted

Session Context

• Location where drinking occurred
• Social context (alone, with friends, at events)
• Mood before and during session
• Any triggers or emotional states
• Physical activity level during session

Naltrexone & Medication Tracking

For TSM protocol adherence:

• Naltrexone dosage and timing
• Time between medication and first drink
• Other medications or supplements taken
• Treatment effectiveness notes

Additional Context

• Impact on daily functioning
• Sleep quality correlation
• Personal notes and recovery observations

Session Management

During an Active Session

When you have an active drinking session, Alcura helps you track it in real-time:

1. The home screen shows your active session with duration counter
2. Tap the session card to add drinks as you consume them
3. Log naltrexone timing and any observations
4. End the session when you stop drinking

TSM Progress Tracking

Monitor your treatment progress by:

• Monitoring craving levels before and after naltrexone
• Tracking consumption reduction over time
• Recording medication compliance and timing

History & Calendar Views

Session History

View all your logged drinking sessions in chronological order:

• Color-coded consumption indicators for quick scanning
• Duration and naltrexone adherence summaries
• Tap any entry to view or edit full session details
• Search and filter capabilities by date, consumption, or notes

Calendar View

See your drinking patterns and progress at a glance:

• Monthly grid showing all drinking session days
• Visual consumption mapping with colors
• Navigate between months to track TSM progress
• Identify heavy drinking periods and alcohol-free days

Progress Analytics

Available Timeframes

• 7 Days: Recent patterns (Free)
• 1 Month: Monthly trends (Premium)
• 3 Months: Quarterly analysis (Premium)
• 1 Year: Annual overview (Premium)

Key Insight Cards

Consumption Analysis

Understand your drinking patterns and TSM progress:

• Session count and consumption trends
• Daily and weekly averages
• Progress level assessment
• Comparison to previous periods and treatment start

Treatment Progress Patterns

Track your TSM treatment effectiveness over time:

• Consumption reduction trends
• Craving level analysis
• Treatment response distribution

Session Duration Insights

Analyze your drinking session patterns:

• Brief sessions (< 2 hours)
• Standard sessions (2-6 hours)
• Extended sessions (> 6 hours)

TSM Treatment Effectiveness

Monitor your treatment progress and medication response:

• Naltrexone compliance rates
• Average consumption reduction percentages
• Most effective treatment protocols
• Time to craving reduction statistics

Premium Insights

The Sinclair Method Protocol

What is The Sinclair Method?

The Sinclair Method (TSM) is an evidence-based treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder that uses naltrexone to block the rewarding effects of alcohol, gradually reducing the desire to drink through pharmacological extinction.

How TSM Works with Alcura

1. Take naltrexone 1-2 hours before drinking (never skip this step)
2. Use Alcura to track medication timing and drinking sessions
3. Continue drinking as normal - TSM doesn't require immediate abstinence
4. Monitor your progress as cravings naturally decrease over time
5. Work with your healthcare provider throughout the process

TSM Progress Indicators

• 0-3 months: Initial adaptation - may see some reduction in consumption
• 3-6 months: Noticeable progress - clear reduction in drinking frequency/quantity
• 6-12 months: Significant progress - substantial lifestyle changes
• 12+ months: Sustained recovery - long-term behavior modification

Export & Sharing

Medical Reports

Generate professional PDF reports for your healthcare provider:

• Comprehensive session history
• Medication usage patterns
• Consumption trends over time
• Statistical summaries
• Pattern analysis

Data Export Options

• PDF: Formatted reports for medical appointments
• JSON: Complete backup of all your data

Apple Health Integration

With your permission, Alcura reads sleep data from Apple Health:

• Imports sleep data to show how your sessions relate to how you sleep
• Read-only: Alcura never writes anything back to the Health app
• Sleep is the only category requested, and access can be revoked at any time

iCloud Sync

Keep your data synchronized across all your Apple devices:

• Automatic backup to iCloud
• Seamless sync between iPhone and iPad
• Encrypted and private

Alcura Plus (Premium)

Premium Benefits

Free vs Premium

TSM Best Practices

For Effective TSM Treatment

• Always take naltrexone 1-2 hours before drinking (never skip this step)
• Log sessions immediately when you start drinking for accuracy
• Track all drinks consumed, including type and alcohol content
• Note mood, environment, and context in the notes field
• Complete sessions when you stop drinking, don't leave them active

Maximizing Treatment Success

Use Alcura's features to optimize your TSM progress:

• Review progress analytics regularly to track improvement
• Monitor your compliance with naltrexone timing
• Note sleep quality and its impact on treatment
• Track stress levels and environmental factors
• Use notes to record thoughts, feelings, and breakthrough moments

For Medical Appointments

• Export a PDF report showing your TSM progress before your appointment
• Review your consumption reduction data and trends
• Prepare naltrexone compliance and effectiveness information
• Note any questions about treatment progress patterns you've observed

TSM & Alcura FAQ

Q: Can I edit past entries?

Yes! Tap any entry in your history to edit all details. This is helpful if you forgot to log something or need to add information later.

Q: How do I delete an entry?

Open the entry from your history and scroll to the bottom to find the delete option.

Q: Why can't I see insights older than 7 days?

Extended insights are a premium feature. Upgrade to Alcura Plus to access 1-month, 3-month, and 1-year TSM progress analytics.

Q: How does The Sinclair Method work?

TSM involves taking naltrexone before drinking to reduce alcohol cravings over time. Alcura helps you track this process and monitor your progress.

Q: Is my data private?

Absolutely! All data is stored locally on your device or in your personal iCloud account. Alcura has no access to your information.

Q: Can I use Alcura on multiple devices?

Yes! Enable iCloud sync in settings to keep your TSM progress data synchronized across all your Apple devices.

Need More Help?

If you have questions not covered in this guide:

• Email us at [email protected]
• Check for app updates regularly for new features
• Premium users get priority support response