|
It's time to set yourself free
A professional, discreet one-to-one service
My Practice
Alcoholism - with my help you can beat it
About The Carrick House Practice
I don't run a '9 to 5' practice
We don't have a '9 to 5' disease
The whole point of my Practice, Programme and Service is to help you beat your alcohol problem.
To do this, I often have to take the stress and conflict out of the situation both for you and those around you. Years of alcohol abuse almost always wreak considerable havoc on family and work lives. Guilt, blame, disappointment, shame, exhaustion and anger all break what would otherwise be close immutable family ties. These need to be rebuilt.
Consequently, I often have to act both as helper for you and a 'moderator' or 'intermediary' between you all. Taking this important role releases you and your loved ones from many of the daily battles, worries and strains of your alcohol problem, and allows all of us to focus on the most important thing - getting you well again.
I have developed the Practice to make this and all the other elements involved to be as user-friendly, convenient and achievable as possible, and for as wide a range of sufferers as possible.
My practice is also finding recognition by others requiring assistance in the use of High Dose Baclofen for alcohol-related problems, including:
General Practitioners - Several enlightened GPs in the UK, who have decided to treat their patients with High Dose Baclofen, have contacted me saying how the B4a Baclofen Handbook gave them the confidence and important background information to commence the treatment. Further, almost all subsequently e-mail me for further advice in managing their patient(s) and to report their experiences;
The Law Courts - I have recently been asked to provide an Expert Report on High Dose Baclofen for the Scottish Criminal Courts. Its importance in the criminal law is twofold. Firstly in the verdict itself and pre-sentencing where the effects of High Dose Baclofen (or its acute withdrawal) might be mitigating factors in the accused actually committing the alleged offence in the first place (i.e. very high-dose Baclofen or abruptly coming off it 'made them do it'). Secondly, where Baclofen might one day become part of the accused's 'sentence' (i.e. enforcing them deal with the alcohol problem that was partly responsible for them committing their offence). This is highly important, as alcoholism is the root cause of much crime, and is abysmally understood and managed by the criminal justice system. In time, Baclofen might form part of an individual's sentence and, eventually, might actually reduce crime. I'm very proud to be part of that process.
* * * * * * *
Who is the B4a Programme and Service for?
Simply, it is for anybody and everybody who has an alcohol problem; be it excessive drinking, dependence on alcohol or or frank crippling alcoholism.
The Carrick House Practice offers a range of services purposely developed to fulfil the diverse requirements that people like you and I have.
Through this range of options, I am able to provide varying levels of Alcoholism and Baclofen support to individuals throughout the UK and even further afield.
For geographical reasons, the majority of people who opt for the most intensive of my programmes reside in the North West or North East England, Yorkshire, Cheshire, North Wales and the North Midlands. However, others from further afield in England, Wales and Scotland can still benefit from programmes specifically designed to suit their own needs and ability to visit me.
I am even able to provide full Baclofen support for visitors from overseas. Daily Skype calls, video conferencing and e-mails mean that wherever you are in the world, you can benefit from the B4a Baclofen Programme.
I have already helped individuals from as far afield as the USA, Australia, South Africa and Mexico.
* * * * * * *
Who are these people?
Are you one of them?
In more detail, the people who seek my services tend to fall into several distinct groups:
-
People concerned that they are drinking too much and worried that they may be heading towards alcoholism;
-
Individuals who are already somewhat dependent on alcohol, but who have not yet quite descended into overt crippling alcoholism;
-
People already with a significant alcohol problem who do not wish to take any form of medication;
-
The largest group includes those who intend to start Baclofen, but who are totally new to it. Usually people whose GP is unable or unwilling to provide the intensive support required, or even to prescribe Baclofen at all;
-
Those whose GP IS prepared to prescribe Baclofen, but who isn't either willing or able to undertake the considerable amount of support required to optimise its success; especially initially. I am always happy to work with their GP if all parties agree;
-
Those already taking Baclofen (usually via the internet) who are experiencing problems and need help to make it work for them;
-
Those doing well on Baclofen who are looking for a 'safety blanket' to ensure its continuing success';
-
People caring for someone with an alcohol problem;
-
General Practitioners, Alcoholism Specialists and other healthcare professionals wishing to know more about Baclofen, or even to introduce it to their own clinical practices.
* * * * * * *
B4a Programme Options
The degree of service I provide, and the Programmes I have developed for you are tailored directly to your own personal needs. Through the increasingly diverse nature of the enquiries I receive, I have developed a range of support services that is hopefully of potential benefit to all. To expand on this:
-
Initial Consultation & Treatment Planning - Before starting on any course, an initial personal face-to-face consultation / evaluation is undertaken for all in the UK. Those from further afield can benefit from detailed e-mail and live video consultations;
-
Your B4a Management Plan - If you opt for either Maximum Support or Intermediary Support, following your Initial Consultation, I produce a detailed written assessment of your own problem and a plan of action specifically for you - your own individualised B4a Programme;
-
Maximum Support - From what many tell me, it is clear that many of you believe this to be your last chance to 'get sober' and achieve long-term sobriety. Years of drinking and failed attempts at other forms of therapy have brought you to the conclusion that very drastic action is needed or else your future will be lost. You realise that to achieve this you need extremely intensive, very hands-on advice, help and support. I provide this through weekly consultations, daily internet and telephone / video contact, liaising with your designated supporter (spouse, partner, sibling, friend etc), an emergency 24-hour contact number directly to me etc. I run an initial 3 month programme for this; after which time we have almost always made significant progress. These people will either then go onto either another 3 months of Maximum Support or onto one of the other levels of support;
-
Intermediate Support - Others of you still need considerable support, but less so. For these, I undertake weekly one-to-one sessions over a 3 month period. All sessions are not time-limited and can take up to an hour or even more - often involving your 'designated supporter';
-
Basic Support - a few of you merely require intermittent ad-hoc contact with me; appointments made when they feel they need them. This is not ideal, but it works for some, and is most common for those who live considerable distances from Carrick House;
-
Internet Support - only available for those living considerable distances from Carrick House, or those who reside overseas. This is much more common than you might think, given the pitiful lack of expertise and commitment to Baclofen and Alcoholism throughout the world. Except in exceptional circumstances (physical or other disabilities), those in the UK would still be required to have the detailed initial consultation to plan their Internet Support Programme. This "Distance B4a Programme" has proved to be both perfectly possible and highly successful through Skype Video Consultations;
-
Long-Term Follow-Up Support - for those who have already completed their Programme;
-
GP Support - some of you are (thankfully) being prescribed Baclofen by, or receiving other help from, your GP. Others tell me that their GP would prescribe Baclofen but they have no experience in its use, or are unable to commit the time necessary to maximise its success. For these people, I am always more than happy to liaise with your GP and provide whatever level of support and assistance required;
-
Carer Support- I receive enquiries from people attempting to care for a loved one, but who are literally drowning in the experience. If their loved one isn't able or prepared to see me or to adopt one of my Programmes, I am happy to provide general help and support to those who have taken up this difficult task. This is nothing whatsoever to do with them following one of my Programmes by proxy. It is merely of a general nature; a shoulder to cry on; and advice should problems befall them along the way;
-
Home Visits- I am happy to make home visits within the North West by special arrangement. There will, of course, be an additional fee applicable for this, dependent upon the distance, frequency and purpose of the visit(s).
* * * * * * *
B4a at Carrick House - How it works in practice
The key to the success of my Programme lies in the following:
- I run every single aspect of the Programme myself - there are absolutely no other individuals, secretaries etc. This allows total discretion and confidentiality at all times;
- If you phone me and I am unable to answer, I am almost always speaking with a fellow sufferer or in consultation. In that case, please leave me a short text message, stating the purpose of your call (need to speak to me, a question, an appointment etc). This will give me an idea of how long we will need. If you don't have a mobile phone, please leave me a voicemail. As soon as I can, I will then text or contact you telling you when I will be free to talk with you;
- TO ENSURE YOUR PRIVACY, I DO NOT PHONE YOUR LAND LINE OR LEAVE HOME ANSWERPHONE MESSAGES WITHOUT YOUR EXPRESS PERMISSION;
- I am available for evening and weekend appointments to suit the often extremely busy lives of those who seek my support;
- All appointments with me are open-ended and in no way time-constrained;
- At each appointment you will only ever be met by me and seen by me, and at no time will you ever meet or see any other people visiting me;
- The Programme is entirely unique within the UK; providing each of you with a totally dedicated personal one-to-one service, and in working alongside Baclofen should you choose to take that route;
- It is most definitely NOT a mass 'production line'. I commit a huge amount of time and effort to each of you. Consequently, at any one time, I have to limit the number of new people I can take on. I am only interested in doing my very best for those individuals that I choose to work with;
- UPON SIGNING UP TO AN INTENSIVE 3-MONTH PROGRAMME WITH ME YOU WILL BE GIVEN AN ADDITIONAL PRIVATE MOBILE TELEPHONE NUMBER IN ORDER TO BE ABLE CONTACT ME PERSONALLY AT ANY TIME
If you are serious about stopping drinking,
I am equally as serious about helping you.
With few exceptions, all new clients sign up for an initial three-month period. This gives us the very best chance of making the very best start to your new life.
This initial commitment to the Programme and your future is fundamentally important.
* * * * * * *
When you sign up to one of my Programmes, the following is merely an outline of what happens next:
- We undertake a preliminary assessment. This is a detailed study of all aspects of your relationship with alcohol and why it has become so destructive. This assessment may best undertaken in your own home, but this is not vital;
- If you wish to have one (which I strongly advise), we meet with your designated supporter - spouse, partner, family member or friend, to discuss the course that we are about to embark upon and how they might help;
- I produce a totally individual plan for you. It is my support and this personal plan that will form the cornerstone of your recovery;
- Your Baclofen is ordered if that is the route you wish to follow;
- I inform your GP if you wish me to. It is your right not to inform him or her if you wish. It is entirely up to you;
- You start to complete a weekly alcohol diary. This must be completed honestly, and we shall go through it at our weekly meetings. It is much more than 'how much you drink'. It contains quantitative assessments of your cravings, when and why you drank, and any other symptoms you might be experiencing;
- You receive your personal Alcoholism-NorthWest B4a Programme. This is your individualised Programme that I will have prepared on your behalf, and which must be followed for the first three months;
* * * * * * *
- We commence your gradually increasing dose of Baclofen, until we reach your controlling dose; the dose at which your cravings are gone and your anxiety (if you have it) is considerably lessened;
- We have weekly meetings face-to-face, at which we discuss every aspect of the last week. These meetings are often solely one-to-one, but may also involve your designated supporter from time to time;
- By special arrangement all of these weekly meetings can take place in your own home, should you so wish;
- These appointments are not time-limited; most take anywhere between 30 mins and an hour and a half. Further, I do not run a 'clinic'. You will be the only appointment scheduled for around that time. Barring unforeseen circumstances (which are very rare), I shall be there waiting for you, and you will go straight in to see me. You will NOT be waiting in a waiting room with anybody else;
- Some of the people who ask for my help are relatively well-known - businessmen, politicians, sportsmen, entertainers, landowners etc or their spouses / partners / friends. Please rest assured that my discretion is absolute, and that you that you will NEVER 'bump' into anyone else at any stage;
- During these sessions I have found that many of you use me as a friend and confidante; often using them to finally face certain issues and 'getting them out of your system';
- We talk as often as you feel you want to during the week. Often this amounts to (say) 10 or 15 minutes most days. If I don't hear from you, I do NOT assume that all is well. I will be contacting you to satisfy myself that the Programme is working for you!;
- You have total, open, unrestricted access to me via the dedicated Alcoholism-NorthWest Phone Line and by e-mail, to which I always reply the same day;
- Once we have your controlling dose, we start to reduce your Baclofen to reach the minimum level required to sustain your abstinence and reduced anxiety. This will then be your maintenance dose, which will be the dose you remain on;
* * * * * * *
- After that first 3 months, most of you opt to take a second 3 months. However, if all is going particularly well, you may wish to take up the option of continuing with my supervision and support on a month-by-month basis;
- Should you have additional stresses and strains on your life (and hence on your drinking), we will temporarily increase your Baclofen dose to maintain sobriety and get you over that hurdle without resorting to alcohol. During such periods, we will also have much more regular contact to provide additional support;
- Almost all of you remain as friends, and I am thrilled to receive regular updates on your progress. Should you run into problems, I am always available to recommence the Programme with you. I do NOT wash my hands of you once we have worked together to beat your alcohol problem. Quite the opposite.
- I am a hard task master. The great importance of what we are trying to do together is far too important for me to be otherwise. However, our meetings and all other communication are informal. We almost always have more than a few laughs along the way!
it is not always easy,
but it is most definitely doable
Back to Introduction
|
|
Contact Me Personally
in strictest confidence
For Appointments Telephone
(+44) 7510 838 236
Or E-Mail Me With Enquiries
drphillipthomas@aol.com
Private Consulting Rooms
Carrick House
the Market Sq, Garstang, Preston, Lancashire PR3 1FA, UK
Appointments Available
weekdays, weekends and evenings
Skype Consultations availanle
24 hours a day by appointment
Worldwide Baclofen
Care Service
|
