This is exactly what I was thinking too triplab. If you have to ask then I don't think you are a regular drinker IMHO.
I also was like you years and years ago asking on different message board sites and figured out compared to others that I was not that bad so I just went back to drinking. If I had only known then what I know and am going through now I would have done TSM in a heartbeat. Addiction is not something I would wish on my worst enemy as it is a living HELL when you get to the point I am at and maybe many on this board are going through too.
Wish I could go back in time but I can't so luckily I have TSM today!

In fairness, there were probably other people doing the same thing, at about the same time, whose lives turned out fine. Contrary to AA teaching, most people displaying addictive behavior do pull out of it on their own.

Paddy, if you mostly want to cut down or quit for health and family reasons, traditional moderation might work fine. If you have a little monster gnawing at your brain and want to kill it before it gets worse . . . well, welcome to TSM.

If I were you, I'd probably try Down Your Drink and move on to TSM if I couldn't maintain Down Your Drink in the face of my monster's tantrum. Only you know if you have a monster in your brain, so only you can really decide what's best.

On a related side note, there was a discussion on the C3 forum about the Nal prescription guidelines in the UK. Apparently doctors are being instructed not to prescribe to heavy drinkers. The guidelines are intended to help that group "somewhere in the middle" reduce their drinking to within the safe guidelines. I haven't read enough about the rationale or goals behind the UK guidelines, but they appear to be directed towards drinkers like Paddy.

For whatever reason, in the UK they will not prescribe nalmefene to hard-core alcoholics. They are still being prescribed abstinence, and are on their own in obtaining Nal for TSM.

Yes I noticed that about the prescribing guidelines. I assumed they came out of simply not understanding the method, aka ignorance. Even people I explain it to still don't understand.

At least it's a start.

Hi - I have a brother who is a very heavy drinker - for many years
from the age of 17 to 44 - he is totally alcohol dependent and his liver is likely turning cirrhotic.

He had cut down in the past weeks to 4 cans of Special Brew per day, from 8, after being caught drunk driving driving himself to the off license unable to operate his car properly.

He basically only drinks, plays on the Internet and does very little else. A can of Special brew is 4.5 units so per day thats 36 units (8 cans) and per week 252 units. He has now cut this down to half : 126 units.

He last attempted to quit drinking last year when his liver enzymes (ggt) rose to >1500 (should be <50). He got a lower the reading (350) a couple of days afterwards and started drinking again a few days later after getting off with Librium, because of the sleep problems, craving etc... unfortunately now he doesn't bother with any blood tests.

He is trying now to cut down on his own - but its not going to work (he is *always* 'cutting down'...) unless his cravings go. I wonder if you could tell me if the Sinclair method would work with him given the Uk governments guidelines not to prescribe it to heavy abusers.

hi muscleriot,

thanks for posting, sounds like you brother is in quite a state

TSM may work for him, so long as he wants it to work & will stay compliant - ie take a pill one hour before drinking, EVERY TIME WITHOUT FAIL

as you say, with the amount he's drinking, he won't be able to get a prescription via the NHS (I'm in the UK too). it is possible to get Naltrexone & Nalmefene from reputable sources over the Internet (& without your GP knowing, if you wish). given his liver impairment he should take Nalmefene rather than Naltrexone which works out at around £4 a tablet (rather than £1 for Naltexone)

there are details of how to obtain Nalmefene here:

http://cthreeeurope.com/2014/10/07/buyi ... ly-online/

there is a questionnaire & a drinking diary to complete, after which the application will be reviewed by a GP online who will approve or reject it. bear in mind that the same NHS prescribing rules apply - ie no more than 8 UK units/day for men & 6 for women

best of luck & let us know how you get on

-badger

My 2 cents. I'm not a Dr. and it's my opinion only. I believe TSM should be the first thing he tries. He's got the groundwork done for a serious problem to surface. Odds favor it will only escalate into something worst, so nip it now. If he were my brother, it would be a no brainer , with or without the help of your government health plan. Good luck.

Too late thanks anyway.

I got a phone call 1am a few days ago to go A&E. He had admitted himself into the A&E of the local hospital after his eyes were tinged with yellow, his urine turned to black treacle, he was in a constant state of ratty confusion and unable to focus on anything. His ankles had swollen up (edema) and stomach was swollen. Apparently he had some of these symptoms (which was the real reason he cut his drinking down) before December but like a true alcoholic always chose to minimize, rather than seeking any medical help as it would have got in the way of the drinking. He simply cut down and started to google symptoms until had to go.

At the A&E the Dr after feeling his liver under his belly, ordered a chest x-ray, and a ECG trace, looked to see if his breathing was labored (it wasn't) and then referred him to the general Accident Pre-Assessment ward (no beds in the Liver unit). He is being detoxed on Libruim by IV.

He has been given a rare bed in the liver unit today. He likely has cirrhosis, not inflammation, but not sure full prognosis yet - has to have a Ultrasound and see if he has something called ascites (Fluid buildup from blood backing up to liver). (Was told by a nurse they planned to put in an ascites tap to drain it so than seems settled.) Been like watching someone slowly commit suicide through the years while ignoring every lifeline thrown and minimizing every medical warning sign or roadbump along the way (although very few of these). I have searched my mind with the usual what ifs, but do not see how I could have done anything else to stop him drinking. Simply became an enemy when I got in front of the drink.
Am sure of worst outcome, but hoping the opposite. Sinclair method is not going to do it for him, but thanks for the help anyway guys.

People with ascites absolutely cannot drink, it is likely to be fatal. Sorry to hear that.