Sydbar
New Member
I'd thought my experience might help other alcoholics/heavy binge drinkers in getting the licence back.
A brief history.I basically spent a decade drunk.I don't mean a good binge on a weekend I mean morning till night every day getting wasted.Sometimes months on end without a break.In this messy decade I lost my licence in 2007 for two years.Hospitals,rehab and counselling were all part of life till eventually in early 2008 I finally threw the towel in regarding my drinking and even stopped smoking.
Life all back on track except my licence.
Timelines
April 2011 I applied and honestly told the DVLA I had had problems with booze.
May.I received a questionaire asking my drinking habits.I put down I had been on the wagon around 3 years.They also asked for my Dr's details.So there's no point lying about any problems detoxs etc.
July they finally got word back from my Dr.I have no idea what he told them but my I know he has plenty of records regarding my drinking.
September.I got a form to fill in and an address of a Dr for a medical
September 30th.Had my medical.Brief chat explaining that I was on the wagon and when I last drank etc.Physical examination,prodding around and listening to my breathing and a blood sample.
Nov 1st.I got a letter telling me they had the results and their medical advisors would decide.
November 15th I got my licence back and finally my life is now normal and drink free.
While waiting for my medical I ate healthy(the obvious,fruit veg salad low fat),drank mostly water and fruit juice.A few coffees a day and milk thistle tablets.I kept away from painkillers if I could as these raise levels they look at in your liver and I cant see my liver taking too much hammer these days.If you have a prescription painkillers that's something you should ask the DVLA as I'm sure they would take this on board when checking your levels.
It took a long time,6 and a half months.Phoning up has little use other than letting you know you haven't been forgotten.I'm sure my application took so long because of my alcoholic past.
Sorry this is long winded but I'm hoping it helps others scouring the internet for any answers.If my liver can repair itself then I think most others will as long as you abstain.
Regards Syd
A brief history.I basically spent a decade drunk.I don't mean a good binge on a weekend I mean morning till night every day getting wasted.Sometimes months on end without a break.In this messy decade I lost my licence in 2007 for two years.Hospitals,rehab and counselling were all part of life till eventually in early 2008 I finally threw the towel in regarding my drinking and even stopped smoking.
Life all back on track except my licence.
Timelines
April 2011 I applied and honestly told the DVLA I had had problems with booze.
May.I received a questionaire asking my drinking habits.I put down I had been on the wagon around 3 years.They also asked for my Dr's details.So there's no point lying about any problems detoxs etc.
July they finally got word back from my Dr.I have no idea what he told them but my I know he has plenty of records regarding my drinking.
September.I got a form to fill in and an address of a Dr for a medical
September 30th.Had my medical.Brief chat explaining that I was on the wagon and when I last drank etc.Physical examination,prodding around and listening to my breathing and a blood sample.
Nov 1st.I got a letter telling me they had the results and their medical advisors would decide.
November 15th I got my licence back and finally my life is now normal and drink free.
While waiting for my medical I ate healthy(the obvious,fruit veg salad low fat),drank mostly water and fruit juice.A few coffees a day and milk thistle tablets.I kept away from painkillers if I could as these raise levels they look at in your liver and I cant see my liver taking too much hammer these days.If you have a prescription painkillers that's something you should ask the DVLA as I'm sure they would take this on board when checking your levels.
It took a long time,6 and a half months.Phoning up has little use other than letting you know you haven't been forgotten.I'm sure my application took so long because of my alcoholic past.
Sorry this is long winded but I'm hoping it helps others scouring the internet for any answers.If my liver can repair itself then I think most others will as long as you abstain.
Regards Syd
