Hi guys.

I'm a professional UK music producer/DJ etc. I've been very lucky to be able to make my passion my life for 30 years. I've travelled around the world a hundred times over. I'm so grateful for everything and I don't regret anything.

But I've struggled with alcohol since I was 16. I'm now 42 and desperately need to do something about it. I gave up drugs 20 years ago and any interview that happens with me I'm always so super proud I gave it up. Alcohol is the hardest drug to give up I swear. I can do this, I know I can.

As you can imagine, it's very difficult in this game to steer clear of the triggers. I finally got medical help about 3 years ago and was prescribed Antabuse. It worked, but then I was back on it. Hell I'm always back on it when quitting.

Ultimately, I'm a bit of a geek (music production makes you like this hehe) and have learnt a lot about psychology in trying to understand what's happening to me. I realised I needed to retrain my brain. The connections I'd made needed to disappear. Somehow... I didn't really know how...

Then I discovered The Sinclair Method method through a TED video. It was like someone was telling me what I was thinking was RIGHT. I could relate to it completely. So I'm giving this a shot now. I'm adamant this will work - providing what I'm reading and have researched on the internet is true (which I believe it is).

In short, Naltrexone has been VERY hard to get on the NHS in the UK. My GP gave me Antabuse immediately 3 years ago, but with this I had to be referred, have a blood test, show I was committed, then RE REFERRED!!!! Then I had to keep an alcohol diary and actually LIE about the amount I drink!!! WOW!!! (I did a lot of reading here, hehe I'm a geek as I said - they will NOT give this to you if you're over the recommended daily amount and haven't abstained for a few days each week). I was so adamant I needed this, I really did have to lie. I was on 2+ bottles a night. I'm not proud I lied, but hey, the other option was to get it on the black market and I don't trust that!

Anyway..

I'm joining this place to hopefully meet some like minded people and friends who might possibly be able to help me if I trip up and that I'd like to help in return. I'd also like to document my journey. I've got an app on my phone called Alcodroid which allows me to add notes whilst I'm on tour. So I've started my weekly journey in the other forum. Please join the post if you can

http://www.thesinclairmethod.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5039

OK sorry for waffling. Hope you're all doing well.

Mark x

Welcome, Mark!

I have indeed heard that the meds are hard to get on NHS, I spend time over at Patient.info and what they have to go through is just nuts. Some just end up ordering from overseas or get a private consultation. It seems to vary by area, but in general Selincro is available for reducing drinking and Naltrexone for maintaining abstinence after a supervised detox.

Be sure to check out the community at http://optionssavelives.freeforums.net/ too, it's more lively over there and this board has been down for weeks at a time in the past.

Welcome Mark!

It's a travesty that it should be difficult to get a life-saving drug like Naltrexone. Cudos for giving up the other drugs, and good luck with your alcohol journey. For myself, all I can say that nothing worked for me. Nothing. Except Naltrexone. And it completely changed my life.

Hope to see your progress here!