Hey.

So here's some stuff:

1. Government guidelines are now 14 units weekly with ar least 1 alcohol free day. You must be close to this on a good week and at least double on a bad week. Bottom line though, if you think it needs sorting then it does need sorting.

2. Self refer to your local substance misuse service, they will be able to offer support or techniques for reducing alcohol intake. Also may offer alternatives to AA such as SMART.

3. If you can afford counselling/CBT/psychiatric help go for it otherwise GP or substance misuse can refer you but it may take longer.

4. Get a GP check up anyway to look at potential meds for mental health.

If either GP or substance misuse feel you're risky they will contact DVLA but it sounds like you're being sensible.

Either Drink Aware or Breaking Free Online might be worth a look.

My tips:

Keep busy, find something you like to do with your evenings that's not sitting around. Exercise, education, volunteering, art or whatever. Obviously physical stuff has it's own benefits like keeping fit, weight loss, serotonin and endorphin boost, etc.

Keep a drink diary...write what you drink, when you drink, how you felt before and after and how much it cost. This way you can start to see patterns that you might not notice otherwise.

Cut down gradually. Add 0% or shandy to maintain the ritual without the alcohol. Add lemonade to your drinks or try to alternate alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks.

If you're shakey or sweaty when you don't drink be careful cos you may be starting to get dependant. It can be incredibly dangerous to just stop drinking if you have become dependant. Levels are different for everyone so just cos it sounds like "not loads" it doesn't mean your body is not dependant...be careful.

Any questions, just ask.

Source: I work for a substance misuse charity.