Blackouts

Hi Joanna,

Yes you are right I'm quite worried! I have been to my doctor about getting help but was literally laughed out of the surgery. Going to try cutting right down now as a result of the blackouts

Have you made a complaint the practice manager at your surgery?

You have a right to be treat with respect and have an informed discussion with your doctor about any matters concerning you health.

joining late but shocking attitude. What has happened in the last week? HOw are you now? Robin

Hi Missy,

Not sure I am that bothered about people thinking bad of me for not drinking, just that I find it difficult to not drink with drink around. I still want to be social though. The problem is social = drinking.

The best thing would be just to try and lock myself away for a few weeks to get completely dry and then take it from there. I can't believe how hard it is to be honest. It should be the easiest thing just to not go out or go to the shop and do something else. Would be good if I could get some help but you are dead right. It has to come from within.

Having said that even smokers get nicotine patches and stuff....I would like the equivalent for drink! It must exist surely?

It does, Tre. It's called The Sinclair Method. I've been at it for 6 months and I've had about 10 drinks within the last 30 days. Most of my days have been dry in that time. I used to drink around 80-90 beers per week. When you remove the unconscious compulsion to drink, free choice returns and you can drink without going overboard about it. Now, I occasionally get a vague notion to have a beer, but ends up being like when you're hungry for something and you can't figure out what it is. 

So I just searched and found this...but I don't see it happening. I don't see the FDA approving a drug for people like this.

Imagine a substance that could mimic the pleasant effects of drinking without the downside. You could drink yourself silly on the stuff, and then reverse the inebriation with a “sober pill” and drive home safely. Hangover? What hangover?

If that sounds like fantasy, get this: Dr. David Nutt a professor of neuropsychopharmacology at the Imperial College of London, says an alcohol substitute may soon be a reality.

The substance would let you get drunk without alcohol by targeting specific neurotransmitter systems in the brain.

“We know that the main target for alcohol in the brain is the neurotransmitter system gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), which keeps the brain calm,” Nutt wrote in a post in The Guardian’s comment and opinion section. “Alcohol therefore relaxes users through mimicking and increasing the GABA function.”

Nutt told BBC Radio 4, “We can mimic the effects of GABA using drugs that are more selective and much less toxic than alcohol. And also, because they’re drugs and work on a receptor directly, we can have an antidote.”

Nutt’s plan to develop a “drunk without alcohol” drug dates back to 2009. But only recently has the neuropsychopharmacologist identified five Valium-like compounds that he believes would produce the feeling of relaxation commonly associated with alcohol. As Nutt sees it, the substance could be ingested even more effortlessly by placing it in a drink. That way, drinkers could still sip their favorite beverages, but, instead of ethanol, the drinks would contain the alcohol substitute.

Now, Nutt says, all he needs is to secure funding and test how subjects react to each compound.

Just how realistic is Nutt’s proposal? Some experts have their doubts.

“We would urge caution on this,” Emily Robinson, deputy chief executive of the U.K.-based charity Alcohol Concern, told the Telegraph. “We should focus on what is going wrong in our drinking culture rather than swapping potentially one addictive substance for another.”

Missy,

Sorry. Maybe I didn't convey what I mean. I just meant something to stop the cravings, not something to go out and get drunk off!

When to see my doctor about this and he says this isn't available /doesn't exist. Not sure what to do next. He said I might be able to get counselling but if there is medication to stop cravings surely this would be used in conjunction with any talking therapy?

Tre, are you in the UK or the US (or Oz)?

Yes, there is....Campral...I can't believe that I do not crave a drink.

The last time I drank...I was on Campral....I didn't FEEL like drinking... AT ALL....but I didn't know how to stop my brain....so I drank anyway.

I didn't get sick from drinking on it.....I got sick because I stopped it and continued drinking.

?Really...try it...it REALLY WORKS

hi ADE....Acrompaste...(Campral)...is for cravings....the Sinclair method you still drink....I have no cravings with Campral at all.

I'm in the UK ADE. I think we are a bit less gung ho about giving out prescription drugs. Just winds me up that these things exist but I cannot get them as I think it would really help. I would love to be able to do it with sheer will power but if help is available I feel it should be given to those whom ask

Campral is available in the UK. You just have to be firm about asking for it.

I've been prescribed it, but you do have to be insistent.

Thanks mate this has just give me a little more hope. I don't understand why they make it hard to access. Will go back to my doctor

Having done a bit of research there are 4 different medications the NHS prescribe. Have just nipped to my doctors as is about 4 doors down and left a message for the practice manager about it. Hopefully if I kick off about it they will give me something..

Check this link, Tre. I don't know if this is available in your area, but if so, it might help you cut through some red tape:

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/nhs-primary-care-alcohol-teams-512652

 

Your GP might refer you to an ARC, but you just have to be insistent with them. GPs can prescribe it but usually won't get involved, so it will be the ARC that does it. Don't be surprised if they've never heard of it, however it is approved by NICE/NHS and it is their duty to help you as they are government funded.

Thank you RHGB. I guess I just have to make my case that I really want it, in conjunction with the counselling that has been offered.Crazy that there is an epidemic going on in this country with functioning alcoholics (whether they admit it or not) but this stuff is hidden away.

 

Its crazy that they don't easily prescribe it....since people who want to drink....DONT want to DRINK when on Campral....I can attest to that fact.

It would save them so much money and time if they would just stop being so difficult and help people with these cravings...don't give up....RHGB got it...you can too!

My Dr. here in the US....prescribed it without me even asking about it....i didn't think it would work....to my surprise it does.

Its not even a controlled substance...the UK is really off base with helping their people...I see plenty of UK people talking about BENZOS they have...but not drugs that help us get better..

MAKES NO SENSE.

My counsellor knew nothing about the drug, I had to expalin it ot her.

I basically just said I want it and it is not for discussion in a calm and measured manner, but firm. I know a lot of people don't like what they perceive as possible confrontation, but the alternative is drinking yourself into an early grave, so you have to make the effort or start writing your will.

to be honest I don't have much to do with doctors. You just expect them to give you the correct information. I am very upset that they may be witholding certain info. I will be telling them what I want on my next visit and telling them without it they may be seeing me in a few years with something worse. 

yea, the sad thing is they don't seem to care if they see us...most of them!  So you really have to advocate for what you want to live a longer happier life.

 

Not all docs are fully up to date with absolutely everything. The doctor/patient relationship is a partnership - if you put in as much info as you can, hopefully you get the best out of it. Best wishes again

I saw an article on a TV programme here in UK a few weeks ago about this.

​G.