How long does alcohol reduction treatment last?

If you live in Milton Keynes and are thinking about getting help with your drinking, you will probably want to know how long alcohol reduction treatment lasts. This page covers what a 28 tablet supply covers, how follow-ups work and how the plan is reviewed. The pharmacy is in Bletchley, Milton Keynes.

How long treatment lasts is set by the pharmacist with you, and it varies from person to person.

A 28 tablet supply is one month of medication if the pharmacist advises one tablet a day. The dose depends on the medicine and your situation, so the pharmacist confirms this at your consultation.

Many people have visits weekly or fortnightly in the first month, then monthly as they progress. Nobody can promise a result or a fixed end date.

What does a 28 tablet supply cover?

The service supplies 28 tablets for £179. The pharmacist may prescribe a medicine such as acamprosate or naltrexone, if one is suitable for you.

Both are used to help reduce cravings. They work best alongside practical support, not on their own.

The way the tablets are taken, and how many a day, is decided at your consultation. Some medicines are taken more than once a day, so 28 tablets may last less than 28 days. The pharmacist will tell you exactly how long your supply lasts.

If you only want the assessment and advice, a consultation without buying tablets costs £25.

How are follow-up appointments scheduled?

Follow-ups are set around how you are getting on, not a fixed calendar.

The first appointment

The first consultation takes around 30 to 45 minutes. The pharmacist asks about:

• How much and how often you drink
• Your health and any medicines you take
• What you want to achieve, whether that is stopping or cutting down

You leave with a personal action plan, any medication that is appropriate, and dates for follow-up.

Later appointments

Follow-ups usually take 15 to 20 minutes. Many people come weekly or fortnightly in the first month, then monthly.

If you are finding it harder, the pharmacist may suggest seeing you sooner. If things are steady, the gaps can lengthen.

How is the plan reviewed and adjusted?

At each review the pharmacist looks at how your drinking has changed and whether the tablets are suiting you.

They will usually check:

• How many days you have drunk, and how much
• Cravings and what sets them off
• Side effects from the medicine
• Mood, sleep and stress
• Whether your original goal still fits

The plan can change at any review. The medicine may be continued, adjusted or stopped, and the support around it may change too.

The pharmacist can also point you to counselling and support groups in Milton Keynes. The pharmacy works with your GP where that helps your care.

Why can nobody say exactly how long you will need it?

People start from very different places. Someone cutting down a few evening drinks has different needs from someone who drinks heavily every day.

These things affect the length of treatment:

• How long and how heavily you have been drinking
• Your goal, whether stopping completely or drinking less
• How you respond to the medicine
• Other health conditions or medicines
• Stress, routines and social situations that trigger drinking

Treatment continues for as long as it is helping and the pharmacist considers it appropriate. No one can guarantee how it will go.

Who should get different advice first?

Alcohol reduction treatment is not right for everyone. Some people need a different route.

If you drink heavily every day, do not stop suddenly without medical advice. Stopping abruptly can cause withdrawal, which can be dangerous. Tell the pharmacist how much you drink so they can decide whether you need your GP or a specialist service first.

Personalised advice is especially important if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have liver or kidney problems, or take other long term medicines.

Disulfiram is another medicine sometimes used for alcohol dependence. It is not suitable for everyone, and the pharmacist will discuss whether any medicine fits you.

Your GP can also refer you to NHS alcohol services. Some people choose to pay privately for quicker access or flexible appointment times.

Go to A&E or ring 999 if you have:

• Seizures or fits
• Confusion or seeing things that are not there
• Severe shaking with sweating and a racing heart
• Vomiting blood or black stools
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes with severe stomach pain

Common questions

Will I need the tablets for life?

Usually not. Treatment is reviewed regularly and the pharmacist advises when to continue, change or stop. The right length differs for each person.

What if I run out after 28 tablets?

The pharmacist reviews your progress before the supply ends. If more medication is appropriate, it can be arranged then. Ask about the cost of any further supply at your appointment.

Can I stop the tablets early?

Talk to the pharmacist first. They can advise on the safest way to stop and whether other support would help.

What if I drink during treatment?

Tell the pharmacist honestly. Slips are discussed without judgement and the plan can be adjusted. Disulfiram is different, because drinking on it causes an unpleasant reaction, so the pharmacist will explain that clearly if it is prescribed.

What should I bring to the first appointment?

Bring your current medicines, or a list of them, and a list of any health conditions. This helps the pharmacist choose a safe option.

Is it confidential?

Yes. Appointments take place in a private consultation room.

Kenmakos Medical in Bletchley, Milton Keynes, offers confidential alcohol reduction consultations at flexible times, with a clear plan and follow-up dates before you leave.

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