thanks everyone. I'm pleased to say that my partner has really reduced his amount of drinking from 3/4 a bottle a day to 3 drinks of spirits or 4 or 5 beers. A huge improvement. I hope he keeps it up.

Partner diagnosed with low grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of sublingual gland, 2nd opinion graded intermediate grade, surgery to remove,lymph nodes removed one side, nodes all clear. Treatment - radiation.