This isn't about drinking, but a very similar mentality is at work:

"In one of the first programmes of its kind in the country, Herts GPs have supported recommendations by NHS Hertfordshire, the county primary care trust (PCT), that force obese people to lose weight and encourage smokers to quit before they are allowed orthopaedic surgery.
[cut]...

...[/cut] Smokers needing routine orthopaedic surgery are now asked to go on at least one session with a trained advisor to receive advice on quitting before being they are added to a waiting list.

Sounds to me like a way to reduce waiting lists without treating patients!