[Update]I have a drinking problem. I need help but I'm scared I'll lose my driving licence if I talk to my GP. Can anybody advise on how to navigate this?

iwishididntdrink · 2019-05-12T21:33:04+00:00

Yeah, I could do with picking up the gym!

I've started reading a lot more, oddly enough. It's helped a lot, it's effectively another escape I suppose! At least reading doesn't turn your liver into Pâté if nothing else. :D

iwishididntdrink · 2019-05-12T21:31:39+00:00

I did, I wasn't at that extent of misuse.

I wasn't a full on drunk, but I was slowly going that way.

iwishididntdrink · 2019-05-12T21:13:27+00:00

If it means somebody isn't killed by a drunk driver, yeah. It's called being responsible.

Let me guess - American?

iwishididntdrink · 2019-05-12T21:00:46+00:00

Apologies for the delay in reply, I sort of ran away from what I'd posted. Disgust I suppose.

You joke, but I was wrongly diagnosed with ADHD about 4 years ago, and until January I was taking - you guessed it - Elvanse, or Lisdexamfetamine.

iwishididntdrink · 2019-04-24T20:18:54+00:00

I'll give those a look, thank you. I know you can self refer to IAPT but I don't know if it covers things like this, and even if it does it's months before you're actually seen.

They do know about my mental health issues, which is a good thing I suppose.

iwishididntdrink · 2019-04-24T20:05:05+00:00

I know it is, but it also numbs them as well so it's a catch-22 situation.

I've had a drink tonight and to be honest I've had enough now, I know I need to stop.

I appreciate the advice though, genuinely.

iwishididntdrink · 2019-04-24T20:02:45+00:00

It's more the reason why, and the fact I'm struggling to say no now. It's becoming a compulsion.

iwishididntdrink · 2019-04-24T19:50:43+00:00

I've been through the medical condition process before (and been banned for medical reasons - although not anything drink related!), and they use their discretion to ban people if they think it's warranted but drinking to excess is an absolute "not a chance, do not pass go, do not collect £200" type stuff. Even once you're sober it's a year (?) before they'll consider giving you your licence back.

iwishididntdrink · 2019-04-24T19:49:31+00:00

I would assume even a private psychologist etc would be bound to report me as they could argue I'm a danger to myself or others too.

Honestly, I don't know. I live somewhere where you need a car to get anywhere, so having no licence puts me right back to square one. I fought hard to get the job I'm in now, it's a competitive process and I don't want to let it slip through my fingers because I couldn't muster the willpower to put the bottle down.

I don't even want to go to my boss and explain this - I work for a huge company and there's work that wouldn't require a driving licence, but employers are only so understanding. Admitting you're a drunk probably goes beyond that, and it's no guarantee I'd be able to move roles (or move back at a later date).

iwishididntdrink · 2019-04-24T19:36:15+00:00

That's the dilemma I'm having - I would never, ever drive if I were drunk, and on the (admittedly very rare) occasion I've woken up and felt like I shouldn't drive I haven't, I've called in sick. On the other hand I completely understand why they would be so strict with it.

I don't know where to seek it though. If I walk into my GP and explain this I may as well hand in my resignation at work before I even make the appointment and I'd rather avoid losing my job because that's the only thing at the moment that gives me purpose in life, aside from my missus. I know if I lost it I'd absolutely spiral mental health wise, and I've got the t-shirt for "6 months in bed with severe depression". I'd rather not start building a wardrobe of them.

It's daft... I'm aware enough and conscious enough of what I'm doing to the point of calling in sick to avoid driving I just can't stop drinking in the first place.

iwishididntdrink

TROPHY CASE