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Hey thanks for the replies :-)
I've not read all of Stanton's book but the parts I have read (and some of his web site) resonates well with me.
He is highly qualified, having a Phd, so I have respect for that. As I have respect for psychiatrists and psychologists - they have to study a hell of a lot to get to that place.
I don't agree that they don't know what its like personally if they've never had a drink so therefore they can't properly understand. But, if it's a newbie drugs/alcohol counsellor with little training that's never been addicted then I agree completely - they don't have a clue what it's like.
Harm reduction sounds like a good first step to abstinance if that's what ppl are seeking. Gradual withdrawal from alcohol is what is recommended here in NZ by the CADS team (community alcohol and drugs specialists).
Stopping suddenly can be very harmful and even cause death. I was told I should have cut down before giving up last week by a very qualified specialist. It was too late by that time and I was suffering some quite extreme withdrawal symptoms.
When I first saw a psychiatrist over three years ago, when I was just as heavy a drinker as I was over the last six months she didn't diagnose me as alcohol dependent and told me it had been my choice to go for abstinance. My gp however thinks I am alcohol dependent and should be abstinant. What a conundrum!
I want to stay abstinance for the sake of my mental health, I tend to fall into a major depressive episode if I drink for too long. Maybe one day I'll be able to drink socially without getting out of control but I do doubt that, after 25 years of binge drinking.
I'll read some more of Stanton's books and hopefully have some interesting thoughts to relay :-)
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