hi my name is David, I’m 35 years old and I drink an average of 10 pints a day, much more during the weekends, I have known for a while it’s getting out of control, but am struggling to address it, I have visited my gp, but was told to not just stop as I may suffer seizures, any advice on how I can control this better would be great, thanks for reading.
Firstly, your GP is correct with regards to not just stopping, especially if this has been going on at these levels for some time now. I presume that our GP is also referring you on to see a specialist in treating alcohol misuse?
You may wish to look into something called The Sinclair Method. If you google C3 Foundation Europe you will find a website that explains more about it.
In a nutshell, this is what I used and it allows you to gradually reduce your drinking, right down to abstinence if you wish. It does take a few months to unravel your existing drinking habits, but if you think about it, they didn't just appear overnight either.
This particular treatment will gradually erase the old drinking 'program' from your brain, and then you can replace it with a new one, or as I mentioned, just gradually bring it to a complete halt.
Assuming you are in the UK, there are two safe, non-addictive medications that can be used and they are both approved on the NHS (or privately) but they can be quite difficult to get due to the fact that many doctors still incorrectly assume that immediate abstinence is the only way - they can't seem to accept that a gradual decline that sticks, is better than getting on the abstinence, then relapse merry-go-round.
Hi David, Good that you've told your GP and he's right when he's said to not just stop but what else did he say? Has he offered any advice as to what you should do next. Has he advised you to cut down and to come and see him in a few weeks, has he sent you for Liver Function tests? Sorry for so many questions!! Claire xx
hi,
Yes you definitely need to cut it down.
the best way to reduce is to cut down a drink or two or three per day. when you have say 6, call it a night, go for a walk, etc.get out of the current environment.
drinking that amount for too long will do damage. Your brain, heart, nervous system, etc are much more sensitive than your liver.
good luck and let us know if there is any way we can help.
David, look up The Sinclair Method. It can help you dial back your drinking levels to earlier days or if you prefer, it can help you quit entirely. NHS offers it for drinking reduction (but they don't call it The Sinclair Method). There are also private doctors that offer it.
See the first link for The Sinclair Method here:
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/useful-resources-487627
It may be that you'll have to detox instead, it just depends on what the doctor or specialist finds.
Welcome David. Great to hear from you. Not a very professional GP you have! Quite shocking actually with such an attitude! Medication could be The Sinclair Method. Try Googling the C3 Foundation and contact Joanna who has helped 100s of people like your, i.e. wishing to stop. 2nd option is to taper down and gradually lower your drinking which is not dangerous, but still incredibly hard to do..Best of luck. Robin
Oops..i did not see all the other great replies...all said already..
Hi David
You have been given a lot of good advice from the above replies.
Not surprised with your GPs attitude. A lot see it as self indulgence. Did he not mention seeing a specialist,or drug/alcohol centre?
I used a different medication, acamposate (campral) its an anti craving drug and you dont drink with it. You may need a detox first. Dont suddenly stop and try and go cold turkey. Too dangerous.
How did you leave things with your gp? I presume youve got a follow up appointment.
hi guys thank you all for your replies i appreciate it alot, yes I have a follow appointment in 3 weeks, he also gave me a contact number for a support group, who I will be calling today, and I went for my liver function tests yesterday, since going to the doctors I have gone from the original 10 ish pints down to 6, then 5, and today I'm going to try and just have 4, I will most definitely look into the Sinclair method as advised, thank you all once again.
David, you might look into something called the Alcohol Deprivation Effect and beware of hauling your drink total down too quickly. If it should shoot up again past your normal levels, ADE explains that. Easy as she goes, captain!
Hi Damson!! Good Decision. I also find many links regarding meditation. Hope you will be benefited by this.
Great that you are reducing your drinking. Sinclair Method is great and worth looking into😁