Posted , 8 users are following.
I've kept a drink diary for a year and I use the Drinkaware site for accuracy. Each week I average 40 units (UK) and this is regarded as an increased risk to my health by Drinkaware. It is also in excess of the new 15 units per week recommendation from the UK Government. I drink most days (only beer and wine) and I cannot cut down from 40 units per week for any length of time. Should I be worried?
0 likes, 15 replies
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ADEfree Thomas1234
Posted
I would say anytime you can't just give it up for at least a couple of months, it's time to look at some options. One option might be The Sinclair Method, which slowly reverses the urge to drink. It took me about 6 months, but I was at 300-400 US drinks per month. After 6 months I was basically indifferent to alcohol, more like I was before I got addicted. Now I have about 12 drinks per month (since August 2016).
You can find out more about it at the Sinclair Method section of this page:
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/naltrexone-nalmefene-selincro-the-sinclair-method-hints-and-tips-505275
But a quick snapshot of it is you start right where you are and month by month you simply want less and less to drink. NHS will cover you for the treatment, but there are some hoops to jump through. CThree Foundation Europe can help you navigate through the red tape.
JulieAnne101 ADEfree
Posted
Excellent reply. OH still getting great results. I have never seen him looking so well. He is even eating breakfast! The Sinclair Method is a real breakthrough in the fight against AUD
I thank God the day I found this wonderful site which led me to Joanna and C three europe
JulieAnne x
louise79437 JulieAnne101
Posted
How long has OH been using Tsm? I am now into week 6, have some really good days and some not so good but I get it goes up and down, have still slashed my weekly intake by about 70% but I was drinking around 120 units per week.
Can't complain at that 😊
JulieAnne101 louise79437
Posted
OH has been following TSM for 9 months so far. He began his journey much the same as yourself up and down. Manages a couple of AFDs a week now down to about 20 units a week. A big difference from 30+ units a day!
Hope this helps
JulieAnnex
louise79437 JulieAnne101
Posted
Thank you Julia, that's a massive change in drinking habits. Would be nice to get an af day in but I guess that takes time. Did you OH have and problems with low mood in the beginning? If so how long did this go on? What with nal, blocking all the endorphins I guess I feel a bit blunted about everything.
Thank you for taking the time to reply x
JulieAnne101 louise79437
Posted
Hi Louise
He didn't seem to have a problem with low mood as he was so estatic at being able to lead a normal life. Just going to work coming home having a beer or 2 without being out of control.
He says he does feel better at having 1 or 2 af days a week now. We go dancing on his af days. It did take a while though (about 7 months) to reach this stage.
Please remember we are all different though. Don't get too disheartened if it doesn't happen this way for you.
JulieAnnex
ADEfree louise79437
Posted
Louise, TSM is indeed very up and down. First the addicted part of the brain gives up territory, then it fights back, gives up, fights back, etc, etc. It's just the normal rhythm of TSM. Month over month you should be seeing a downward trend though.
ADEfree JulieAnne101
Posted
That's great news, JulieAnne! Congratulations to the both of you and please extend a "well done" to your husband!
JulieAnne101 ADEfree
Posted
Life is so very different now. Will pass on your good wishes to my Husband
JulieAnne x
pistal666 Thomas1234
Posted
Nope, the government pulled that number from their backsides, it's not based on anything. Alcohol affects everyone differently. Do you see the Drink as a problem or becoming one?
Thomas1234 pistal666
Posted
Always been aware of a tendency to let drink do the drinking. So I count the units and occasionally drink more than I would like to. Been that way for decades. A decade ago I was drinking 30 units each week. Now 40. I'm retired so I don't know if I should be that concerned.
dannybob Thomas1234
Posted
40 units a week .... mate! I wouldn’t worry to much . That’s one 750ml bottle of vodka a week or a 20 can case of 440ml 4% abv beer a week. It Works out less than three beers a night . I know people that drink more than what you’re having in a week in a single day and I mean every day that have done so for years. But those people I mention no longer have friends family jobs and there kids no longer want to see them ... you get the picture ...so cut back while you still can have a few days off a week try to have the days off in a row so your body can rest. I doubt you would of done any damage with the amount you’ve been drinking but we are all very different go and see a doctor for a Liver function test. If you don’t want to talk to your doctor about your alcohol problem and want a liver function test it’s just a simple blood test by the way. go to your doctor complain about a pain on your right side under your ribs a dull ache they will most likley say I bet it’s gallstones but will always do a liver function test LFT to make sure. They might even book you in for an ultrasound at a later date worth it to put your mind at risk . If you get the all clear which I’m sure you will take the get out of jail free card and take 3-4 days off a week otherwise you will find you're addicted and you will only need more and more to get the same buzz and you will be left with the choice of the bottle everyday and a life of loneliness or a totally sober life because you’re an addict. Or the best option work hard in the week look forward to a drink at weekend with friends. It’s no fun going to party’s and not being able to drink
The government guidelines on units per week is a joke really... nanny state. And I’m sure they used to be double what they are now 21 units for a man a week . when the guidelines were 21 units people used to moan and say that’s low
Joanna-SMUKLtd Thomas1234
Posted
Should you be concerned?
The most concerning thing in your post is not so much the units (which are likely to only increase over time) but rather that you say you cannot cut down and stay down.
This indicates that you are somewhere on the spectrum of dependency. We tend to think very black and white - either we are addicted or we are not - when actually dependency is a spectrum ranging from mild to moderate to severe, and anything on between.
I agree with the others and agree that this the time to get off that spectrum before it gets too severe.
If you feel it might be good for you, then like others here, The Sinclair Method might be appropriate to help you. Take a look into it and see what you think.
Whatever you chose, you are being sensible on realising that maybe things are not as you wish them to be, and I wish you all the beat wishes in however you wish to go from here.
Thomas1234 Joanna-SMUKLtd
Posted
Very interesting and helpful reply Joanna. Thank you. I occasionally drink more than I want to. I'm happy if I drink around half a dozen units as a max. Sometimes I drink less. Drinking more takes me into binge territory (another discussion here - 8 units a binge??) but, more importantly to me, can upset my sleep. The idea of the spectrum is very helpful and, if being concerned that you don't have total control over your drinking is a signal of possible trouble, then I would say I am seeing an amber light. So I would diagnose mild AUD. I have cut down in the past but I am currently holding a steady 40 units a week regardless of my pattern of drinking through the week. Uncanny really.
Thomas1234
Posted
Thanks for all the replies. Interesting mixture from 'don't worry' through TSM to some wise words about checking where I am on all this. I may do some individual replies when I have time but thanks so far.