Will you be taking the Pill?

Should it be a requirement of every MP when they enter the House? Many of them seem to spend a lot of time in the bar.
I presume it's to stop us drinking because we will not enjoy it any more. How mean can Nice get?

No, I think it's to help problem drinker who want to cut down to do so. Nothing spiteful about it.

Just trying to remember the last time I drank alcohol........

I would like someone very close to me to take this pill. Unfortunately he doesn't see a problem, despite all the evidence

(((hugs))) Nightowl. A close relative of ours has just come out of rehab and seems to be doing well but her mother is an alcoholic and is 'getting in the way'. Her family is totally disintegrating as a result of the drinking.

On the other hand, I enjoy a drink in the evening and I'm not sure that I would like to stop that.

To help people with a problem yes, but I know a lot of people who regularly drink two glasses of wine. This could work out very expensive to the NHS!

I don't think there's any suggestion that GPs will be forcing patients to take the pills!

If the people you know aren't worried about their drinking habits then they won't be queueing up at the surgery, will they, NfkDumpling?

Saw this on Twitter: "Alcohol won't solve your problems, but neither will milk or water."

The NHS will spend millions of pounds on this pill to help people with an addiction which they brought on themselves, yet they refuse to pay for life giving cancer drugs for people who, through no fault of their own are going to die prematurely. This doesn't seem right to me.

The NHS will spend millions of pounds on this pill...

What source have you obtained this information from, hilda?

Hilda would you say the same about obese people?

No -Dad was a functioning alcoholic, Brother is an alcoholic - I don't drink other than maybe 2-3 glasses of wine a year

I ran a conference yesterday for young people, and we had 3 very brave ex drug/drink addicts speak about their life journey, it was hugely impactive

Seriously this is not a joking matter, people seem to think its OK to laugh about 'needing' a glass of wine at the end of the day ....if you truly do, then take a long hard look at yourself, as you have a drink problem

My neighbour gets through a good deal of wine a week.

So?

A bottle a day at least, she may decide to ask for the pill. Not judging, just saying.

Well, if she does that'll be at least one person who may be helped.

Apparently this medication has been available in Scotland for some time and has had good results.

hildajennij Addiction is a cruel disease which ruins the lives of addicts and those who love them. No-one brings it on themselves.

I read that this drug was developed in1972.
What has happened to it betwen then and now? It has been used in Scotland for over a year.

As I said.

I think that many people who drink a lot do so because of the circumstances they find themselves in. They are using the alcohol to blot out their feelings. These people would not want to take a pill as they probably like the numbness that they get from the alcohol.

No ! I am lucky enough not to have problems with alcohol. However if it helps quite a lot of people it could be cost effective for the NHS

I've definitely drunk more wine tonight than I normally do.
I wonder if I'm not the only one!

I realise that two glasses of wine a night is bad for you, but does it really mean you're a complete alcoholic? An advertising campaign recommending halving their consumption might be easier.

A year or so ago, when I had a lot of stress, we were sharing a bottle a night. When we realised what we were doing we cut back. I now enjoy a spitzer and DH a wine with our dinner. Often something non alcoholic. Not a problem, no pills needed. I think it's the same for most on two glasses a night. Not a problem, just habit and not thinking.

I just think two glasses is setting the bar a little low. If it was a bottle a night, then there really is a problem and yes then pills would be a good idea.