www.BeatTheBooze.com
(book release January 28th)

The aims of the book are laid out by the authors as follows:-
'The book, which makes extensive use of real-life case studies, aims to help
anyone who wants to cut down or cut out alcohol or who wishes to help
someone else they know who has a drink problem. It can benefit both those
with drink problems and those who simply wish to lead healthier and happier
lifestyles.'

When someone wants to stop there is (at least in the UK) a real dilemna as
to where to start looking for help. Obviously the General Practioner/Family
Doctor can give guidance but this is usually to a greater or lesser degree
depending on the GP's experience. One of the critical acclaims of this book
was by the liver consultant to George Best (a high-profile and famous
english footballer for Manchester United) and he seems to agree that this
book does much to set out clearly the help that others will need when they
eventually decide that they want/need to stop. It is a
self-help book only in the sense that it is more like a guidebook with
signposts to
the first hurdles and window into the lives of others who have trodden the
same path beforehand. It does not set out a structured program for someone -
in fact it gives impartial views of all the programs on offer.

The other problem when someone stops is the inevitable mental health issues
that go hand in hand with the addiction and withdrawl cycle. Not everyone
can stop on their own, many need to have the first steps
pointed out and many more need to have knowledge that they are in fact not
alone and that there are people out there who do not think lowly of them
(and that others have 'been there and done that'). The book contains
case studies of people who have successfully given up without the use of
self-help books and their stories shall also help to give inspiration to
people who have decided that they want to stop. I agree that there are loads
of people who can not stop because they do not want to but I reckon that the
majority can not stop because they are in fact addicted to a highly
addictive drug which, in their cases, seems to play havoc with the chances
of stopping by interfering massively with their biochemistry and they need
to be able to be helped out in any way possible.

Some of these people take, say, a few years away from drinking to sort out
their underlying issues and go back to it in a much reduced way and others
take time out and find out that they can never go back to drinking in a
controlled way. Most need some sort of assistance in taking these steps.

The authors have first hand experience of dealing with people who have died
from alcoholic liver disease
and dealing with the hallucinations, seizures, delerium tremens and eventual
death was in part what inspired the authors to write something that may help
others.
Even if someone does not want to stop and therefore can not stop,
maybe they should before they turn into yellow, penniless, friendless
corpses inside their own flats/houses. This book may be the iron bar that
jams its way into the spokes of the bicycle wheels of addiction before that
fateful day arrives. At the point where cirrhosis gets it hold, there is NO
turning back. For the authors to think that they might in fact be able to
help some people, and keep that help to themselves by not writing about it,
would be unforgiveable. Please read it if you need it.