A Smarter Way to Regain Control Over Drinking

The Drink Less Method is designed for people who want to reduce their alcohol consumption and regain control over their drinking habits, without necessarily giving up alcohol completely. Many people find their drinking gradually increases over time. A drink after work becomes two, weekday habits develop, and cutting back through willpower alone can become difficult.

Our programme focuses on helping individuals cut back on regular drinking occasions while still enjoying social occasions responsibly. Rather than relying solely on willpower, the Drink Less Method introduces a structured, clinically guided approach using medication where appropriate.

Start. Go Slow

Those who could benefit from The Drink Less Method are social drinkers who:

• Recognise they are drinking more than they should
• Experience cravings or loss of control
• Want to reduce their alcohol use safely before it escalates further

This area was originally researched for people who were alcohol dependent. They were individuals who had lost control over their alcohol use, often drinking daily or in large quantities, and who struggled to stop or cut down despite serious personal or health consequences.

The Drink Less Method recommends titrating using initial lower dosages of the medication and increasing gradually to the dose outlined in the John Sinclair’s studies. The Sinclair Method does not involve the use of a lower dose.

Although side effects are usually mild (such as nausea, fatigue, or stomach discomfort) when first taking the medication, by starting with a very low dose, building up slowly over a week and even staying on half the dose used in research carried out by John Sinclair, where appropriate, this makes the programme more comfortable and improves long-term adherence.

Those with a smaller body size or lower alcohol consumption may find these initial lower doses more manageable. 

The Drink Less Method is most effective for people who still want to drink but want to regain control — it’s a tool for moderation and recovery, not necessarily total abstinence.

The Drink Less Method Pricing

Initial Assessments

For people new to the Drink Less Method, there is a choice of two starter packs. For lighter drinkers who respond well to medication, the standard starter pack will be suitable. For those who may need the full 50mg daily drinking day dose, we recommend the extended pack to allow for the increased dose towards the end of the course.

Repeat Assessments

Remember, there is no commitment to continuing after the initial course. For those wishing to continue, there is a choice of pack size to suit a variety of needs. For those on a 50mg drinking day dose, we recommend the large repeat pack, but for those with infrequent drinking days who have found the 25mg dose sufficient, a small or medium pack should last some months.

Chart Your Drink Less Progress

FIRST STAGE (up to 10 days)

• Download the NHS ‘Drink Free Days‘ app
• Start on a low dose of medication (4.5mg)
• Take prescribed amount one hour prior to drinking time
• Check for Side Effects
• Dosage increased over first 10 days until minimum standard dose is reached
• Drinking rewards start to reduce

SECOND STAGE (2 – 6 weeks)

• Continue to chart progress on ‘Drink Free Days’
• Minimum standard daily dose of medication (25mg)
• Dosage may be increased to a maximum 50mg if needed
• Cravings should reduce & weaken
• Benefits of alcohol reduction should show

THIRD STAGE (6-12 weeks)

• Improved habits & routines develop
• Dosage may be increased to a maximum of 50mg medication if needed
• The desire to have a drink reduces
• Still able to enjoy a drink by skipping medication
• You will be invited to take an in home blood test

• 
  We Review the Try Dry App
  The ‘Try Dry’ app is from the Alcohol Change UK team behind the concept of ‘Dry January’ but works all year round to help you to monitor and cut back on your drinking. It is rated highly 4.7/5 on the App Store, where comments emphasise the benefits of helping the user to focus. There are… Read more: We Review the Try Dry App

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