My gp and I agreed in July 22 after my application had been rejected that I would email him quarterly for a year with a blood test at the end of the year. That way I was able to say that I had reported quarterly to my gp and that he had reviewed my progress on a quarterly basis! It depends I suppose on your GP but it worked and he was able to send his report back to dvla in December 23 to confirm and I now have a medical (for the first time) looming! So I really suggest discussing this option with your GP! It's been a great idea and has worked for me. No regular lfts throughout that year just GP reporting.
This is where it gets difficult. DVLA do not say how you are supposed to prove abstinence, however anecdotally it has been shown that regular LFT's seem to help with the application. Your idea of checking in with the GP also seems a good way of doing it, especially as it sounds like your GP is fully on board with your application and is aware of the need to appease DVLA.
If someone is classed as dependent or a misuser, DVLA write out and demand complete abstinence for
at least 12 months (although they in reality expect abstinence for life -
or at least until they issue a full 10 year licence) for dependence, or they request 6 months of abstinence/drinking within government guidelines for 6 months for misusers (although again admitting any drinking seems to trigger more refusals).
Generally then they give the burden of proof over to you. If you call and ask them what they expect, you will hit a stone wall - they won't commit. It seems to be that if they say "You need to do X", they have no option but to issue your licence if you do X, however by leaving it open ended they keep the option of still refusing you. That is why it is important that people understand that there is no simple pass or fail mechanism in reapplying. Getting a decent CDT is good, but it isn't the be all and end all. Neither is having the GP on your side, or not drinking, or any one other thing. It is a combination of everything.
My belief is that some people need to get their priorities straight when reapplying for a licence. Having a licence is not a god given right, it is a privilege. Stage 1 is deciding;
a) I need my licence but want a drink
or
b) I want my licence but need a drink
Too many posts seem to be saying "I have my medical in X weeks time, but have been drinking Y amount - will I pass?" - my advice here would always be go back to the stage 1 question......