StewartUK

Hi guys,

I can't do this on my own I think ive always known that, 4 years since i joined, countless attempts to not pick up that first drink and i just can't do it. Im going to go to the doctor because i dont know where else to go, what do i say to him? any words of wisdom would be sincerely appreciated/.

ConfusedNC

The truth. He should be able to point you in the right direction.

Toronto68

I'm glad you are going to do that. You want to look after your body and brain, so you should be upfront on this with the facts as you understand them. He might be interested in getting you in touch with a doctor who deals with addiction more than he does (guessing). At worst, he would have a laissez-faire attitude, and that is what you don't want, so if he does, I would suggest you ask for somebody who deals with it. You might hear about AA, and I know you have had a hesitancy over them being different from you. Maybe you have a different perspective from a couple of months ago. I think you need something for the psyche too, whether that includes us (this site) or something else. I want you to stop too! I'm looking forward to hearing what happens next, once you have seen the doctor.

aasharon90

Hi Im Sharon and Im an Alcoholic.

By the grace of my HP and people
like you here in SR I havent found
it necessary to pick up a drink of
alcohol since 8-11-90.

For that and you I am truely grateful.


I heard years ago that Alcoholism
is the only illness where one doesn't
have to take medicine to achieve
sobriety and all it takes is going to
a meeting or working a recovery
program.

There is where I spent a many a time
for my illness getting exactly what
I needed to stay sober. A 12 step
program with principles to incorporated
in my everyday life.


No medicine required.

Use AA for alcoholism and the
Doctor for other things.


If i do need to go to the doctor
for anything, i am completely
honest with him right off the
bat letting him know that my
sobriety is extremely important
to me and that if he prescribes
medicine to me that it is not
habit forming nor narcotic.

I dont want anything to jeopardize
my solid recovery foundation.

Sasha4

Just remember that doctors are human beings and have seen it all before, and some suffer from addiction too.

Telling him/her as much as possible, including how long it has been going on, things you have tried already any symptoms will be ensure the best treatment.

If it were me, and it has been, but not with booze I would open your conversation with 'My drinking is making me unhappy and I would appreciate your help'.

Just remember that if his advice or recommendations or treatments do not fill you with hope for the future, say so, or see another doctor.

I hope you get the care you are entitled to and tell me what happened won't you.

When I conquered my demon - my doctor gave me a hug an said how pleased and proud he was.

xx

Impurrfect

(((Stewart)) I'm so glad you're going to your doctor!

You've gotten some pretty good suggestions.

I used to be a nurse (before addiction ended that career) and what has been said is true...doctor's (and nurses) are human...when I went to AA meetings, had quite a few dr's and RN's in my home group.

Doctor's can't help you if they don't know the truth. In all honesty, we would often assume that people "downplayed" the true amount of what they drank (alcoholics) unless they rattled off a more realistic amount, symptoms, etc.

A good dr will help you, will NOT shame you or downplay your drinking. If your dr does any of this...find another dr. I'm a recovering crack addict, abused opiates in the past and the first time I met my current dr. I said "let me tell you about my history....got a little time?" He pulled up a chair and said "talk to me". I told him everything. I have legit pain issues that require pain meds and we worked up a plan, that day, for when I need them.

It was a very freeing feeling to be honest, to feel supported by someone who cares, and to know that I'll be taken care of.

Good luck to you!

Hugs and prayers!

Amy

mercurial me

My doctors have fallen into x3 groups

1) The ones who believe that alcoholism is a disease and needs to be treated as such

2) The ones who think the answer is just to tone it down & put the bottle down as it is about will-power

3) The one who looked at my bloodwork results and told me I was a lost cause and simply said "I cannot help you" and up and left the room

Although alcoholism is a universal problem your problem with it is probably as individual as you are. I hope your doc is empathetic and approaches the info you provide with an open mind

cloud8

I had a Freind Who when in the problem,,IE still drinking had the shakes so bad we had to get 3 strait glasses of vodka down him before he could stop shaking,,He was so physically dependent on alcohol that without it he was severely sick,,,I put him in the hospital and they took him off cold turkey,,It killed him in 4 days..Some alcoholics may require medication in the begging,, Although I am no doctor,,If we are honest with the one we have we should be sure that doctor is familiar with alcoholism, and all the physical problem it entails..I found I had to take care of the physical dependence before the spiritual principles and the fellowships along with steps,ect could be effective,,I thank God for the doctors that carried me through my withdrawl period,,and to this day have a strong foundation,,Yet I had to check myself to be sure i wasent using this as an excuse to get high,,I had many people around me for help,,and someone else giving me my meds in the first days,,Be honest,,Allow someone to help you,,and when your ready you will be just ok..

Zoobear

What?
Was this hospital in the USA?

cloud8

Yes,, Darb Veterans Hospital,,Was very sad,,But Not the first time it has happend, Many people dont talk about the ones who get straped down from withdrawl off alcohol, have tremors, Ect,,It isent true fro all alcoholics,,Yet depending on were you get off, at what stage it can get that bad very quick,,In the old days,,People used to bring alcohol to the one they were helping giving him her small doses untim the body could get off it,

I thank god, that i went to a place that was well imformed on how to help me and others,,Then introduce me to a new way of life. Althogh I have along way to go,,and for now seem a bit lost,,I know and remeber what it was like,,and dont want it back,,greatful for sr and the fellowship of na,,and aa

conkers1

stuart UK hello,

Im in UK and went to my doctor last week after years of thinking i could do it on my own.

he has refered me to the specialists, who i think are gonna talk to me about my drinking, do a medical , and then decide what to do from there...

best getting it sorted pal before it kills us.

Wilde10

Have not been to a doctor myself, but I know they usually send you to a specialist (at least in UK) instead of doing anything themselves. So I would think you do not need to give more details than required by your GP. As it has been pointed out, just start saying that you are very concerned about your drinking, or that you think you have a drinking problem, that you have tried to quit on your own for several years and it is not working. He/she will be able to take it from there and ask you whatever questions. Be as honest as you can with the answers.

Mark75

That

Mark

intention

Hi Stewart

A lot of GPs tend not to do referrals unless they think it absolutely necessary and they have a habit of sending patients away and seeing if they are really serious by coming back, before they refer them. I'm talking about health concerns in general here, not specifically alcoholism.

I strongly suggest that you be up front and completely honest with your GP as to how bad your problems are with alcohol and how much you have tried to quit on your own.

The more honest and thorough you are the more likely you are to get a referral first time round. Write everything down before you go into there - it's easy to forget when you are in front of the doctor.
Good luck and I am really glad to hear you are reaching out for help now.

cloud8

Im sorry, after reading my reply I felt a little bad,,It wasent my intention to scare you into thinking it is to painful or dangerous to get sober,,I just have trouble with people who insist that no meds are requirerd,,althogh true in many cases ,,not for all..Please as so many have said be honest with yourself and the doc,,and get what ever help is available to you,,My life has improved both physicaly and mentaly,,not to mention spiritualy,,as a result of doctors,,aa,,na,,and sr,,You can do it,,and you can make it safely and with wonderful things ahead for you,,just keep commin back..And like myself If you use or drink again,,dont beat yourself up, just learn what you can from it,,and move on,,

StewartUK

Thanks guys for the kind and helpful words. I will make sure i write everything down before I go, now is just the tough part of getting an appointment it takes so long! however ive been trying to quit for 4 years so i guess i can wait a couple of weeks for an appointment.