THOSE who have battled drink problems will be aware than it isn't as simple as taking a pill.

Then again, a new tablet, aimed at helping drinkers to combat their cravings, isn't aimed at those with a serious drink problem.

However, it could help save lives and prevent alcohol-related diseases and injuries.

Nearly 600,000 people will be eligible to receive the nalmefene tablet. Experts claim the £3 tablet could save as many as 1,854 lives over five years and prevent 43,074 alcohol-related diseases and injuries.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended the drug's use after trials showed it cut drinking by 61 per cent over six months when used with counselling.

Under new plans, GPs would ask patients about their alcohol intake, even when they visit them for unrelated health issues.

Professor Carole Longson, for Nice health technology evaluation centre, says: "Alcohol dependence is a serious issue for many people.

"Those who could be prescribed nalmefene have already taken the first big steps by visiting their doctor, engaging with support services and taking part in therapy programmes.

"We are pleased to be able to recommend the use of nalmefene to support people further in their efforts to fight alcohol dependence.

"When used alongside psychosocial support, nalmefene is clinically and cost effective for the NHS compared with psychosocial support alone."

A final decision to roll out the drug on the NHS in England at a cost of £288 million a year will be taken in November. It has been provided to patients in Scotland since October last year.

The pill, also known as Selincro, is administered orally once a day and is taken when people feel the urge to drink. It works by blocking the part of the brain which gives drinkers pleasure from alcohol, stopping them from wanting more than one drink.

Men would qualify to receive the treatment if they consume 7.5 units of alcohol per day - around three to four pints of standard strength lager and women who consume five units a day, amounting to around half a bottle of wine, would be offered the tablet.

Nalmefene is the only licensed medicine which helps people reduce their drinking rather than aiding them to stop drinking altogether.

Severe alcoholics and those who are able to cut down without help would not be eligible for the drug.

Alcohol dependence is diagnosed if people show three out of six principal symptoms at the same time within the last year. They are: strong desire to take alcohol; difficulties in controlling the use of alcohol, neglect of hobbies due to alcohol use, persisting with alcohol use despite seeing it harm themselves, tolerance to the effects of alcohol and withdrawal symptoms.

Jon Royle, chief executive of the Bridge project, a drug treatment service in Bradford, says while they welcome any new tools to help people recovering from problem drinking, it isn't just about popping a pill and psychological therapies would also have to introduced.

"I can understand the interest in this kind of thing from the public. Everybody hopes there is a quick and easy way to solve complex problems such as addiction but the real issue is you are talking about a limited number of people that this new drug will benefit. It will not be of any help for people with serious drink problems," says Jon.

"It is not a magic pill and will not help on its own."

Greg Fell, Consultant in Public Health for Bradford Council, says: "We are currently reviewing the draft NICE guidance and working closely with local experts to ensure people have access to the most appropriate treatment."

Vicki Beere, director of operations at Project 6 in Keighley, explains while a pill may help people reduce their alcohol use (although it is a small sample/study and it would be useful to see more evidence, especially over a prolonged period of time) the following would need to be considered.

"There would need to be preparation work undertaken, the pill will not solve any underlying issues which are causing the individual to drink 7.5+ units a day. Proper evidence based Psychosocial Interventions should be used alongside it, something like Motivational Interviewing which helps people prepare for, carry out and sustain change. These should be carried out by specialist alcohol workers

In order to sustain any changes the individual will probably need to make significant lifestyle changes," says Vicki.

"There's far more evidence showing that having two or three alcohol free days a week is extremely beneficial in terms of reducing the harm caused by drinking and this study has not focused on that, only reducing the no of units an individual drinks per day by a relatively small amount.

"We would be dubious about any pill being promoted as a 'cure' for 'heavy drinking' and would encourage individuals to contact their local Alcohol Service or GP in the first instance of they have concerns about their drinking as there are a range of treatment options available to people," she adds.

Anyone concerned about their alcohol misuse should contact their GP. Alternatively, if you are affected by your own or someone else’s alcohol misuse you can contact The Bridge Project, 35 Salem St, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD1 4QH (01274) 723863; Project 6 in Airedale on (01535) 610180 or the Piccadilly Project on 01274 735775 for support.