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Did you tell your doctor?

Old 07-03-2013, 01:37 PM
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Did you tell your doctor?

Has anyone ever felt like they couldn't tell their doctor about their drinking problem/alcoholism? I think many people even in the medical profession are judgemental about substance abuse. I also hesitate to say anything sometimes because it could come back to haunt me in other ways (having a "record" of alcoholism meaning I can't get life insurance or certain jobs) Some people would say switch doctors but it's hard to do that when you've had the same one for most of your life.
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Old 07-03-2013, 01:43 PM
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i didnt tell him for a long time.
But when i finally got honest and told him he was very supportive and rooted for me all the way.
now that sober when i go in to see him and he says HOWS it going, with that knowing look, i tell him, two years. and he writes it in big letters on my report
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Old 07-03-2013, 01:47 PM
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I talked to my doctor about substance use extensively. I wasn't aware that employers can read your medical records. Is that a Canadian thing? Do you have more information about it?
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Old 07-03-2013, 02:02 PM
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Originally Posted by socallednormal View Post
I talked to my doctor about substance use extensively. I wasn't aware that employers can read your medical records. Is that a Canadian thing? Do you have more information about it?
I don't know if it's a Canadian-ony thing but I do know that if you ever need to go on disability at work for whatever reason the insurer will want your medical records and you can get rejected if you had a "pre-existing condition" meaning you were sick before you were hired by your employer.

Life insurance applications typically ask if you've ever been treated for excessive drinking/alcohol problem or if a medical professional has ever told you to get your drinking under control or abstain.

Also there are some jobs that require you to undergo thorough physicals and background checks where the issue would be revealed. I'm not saying I'm looking for one of those jobs but just the prospect of being "blacklisted" scares me.
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Old 07-03-2013, 02:08 PM
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I didn't have a regular doctor. I only went occasionally to a gyno just for pap smears and check-ups to be safe. And a dentist.

But just last week I called and talked to a doc's office, they told me they'd mail me an application to fill out... lol, since when do you have to "apply" to be seen by a doc? I thought that was kind of funny. Like a job application or something. Anyway, I indicated on the application that I am interested in all manner of blood testing, glucose test, and hair test to find any sort of nutritional deficiencies, hypoglycemia, food allergies/sensitivities, and especially to check for any liver, kidney, pancreatic, or urinary damage done to my body... I intend to tell them straight up that I drank for X number of years, and all the nasty details... because I want to know exactly where I stand now, health wise.

The way I see it, my physical health is WAY more important than my pride at this point. Life is just too short.
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Old 07-03-2013, 02:16 PM
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When I quit drinking I had many symptoms of diabetes. I had none of these while I was drinking so it freaked me out a bit. I told him I had stopped drinking and that I drank more than I had initially told him in my first basic visit. He did not ask me how much I drank.

I told him I was waiting for the other shoe to drop but other then the weird symptoms that everything else was fine. He said if the other shoe did not drop by now then it probably won't. Meaning I won't have any other withdrawal issues.

He checked for diabetes and liver damage and all came back clean. All of my symptoms eventually faded away. The only thing that remained was my blurred vision so I made a visit to the eye doctor and he determined I needed glasses which I picked up today.

He did not make a big deal about it but then I did not offer a bunch of information either. I told him I was going to AA so I guess he figured I was already starting to deal with my problem and I was going to the right place.
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Old 07-03-2013, 02:20 PM
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My doctors know. And for the most part they've been encouraging and empathetic. Being in the hospital multiple times for detox, I'm sure I have a "record".
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Old 07-03-2013, 02:37 PM
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I was concerned about my alcoholism going on record if I went to the doctor, but in the end I was more concerned I would die or lose my mind if I didn't get help to stop. He was not very helpful in the event, gave me the number of the local drugs/ alcohol unit and that was pretty much it! They were more helpful, being keyed up to my condition, but I still worry about what is on my file now, and who has access to it.
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Old 07-03-2013, 02:40 PM
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employers get no access to your medical records. none.
insurers will ask, but you do not need to give permission.
but yes, many jobs would require background checks.this would NOT include access to your medical records, though it well might include a thorough questionnaire for you doc to attest to certain criteria.

i told my doc a few months after i quit, and that's been hugely beneficial. it helped me to have been up front when i needed to go for surgery and was worried about the morphine.
it helped me when i was going through a bad spell and couldn't see how depressed i was, yet she saw it and talked with me about an increased danger of relapse .
that kind of stuff.
it ended up helping her to help me better.
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Old 07-03-2013, 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by chipd View Post
I don't know if it's a Canadian-ony thing but I do know that if you ever need to go on disability at work for whatever reason the insurer will want your medical records and you can get rejected if you had a "pre-existing condition" meaning you were sick before you were hired by your employer.

Life insurance applications typically ask if you've ever been treated for excessive drinking/alcohol problem or if a medical professional has ever told you to get your drinking under control or abstain.

Also there are some jobs that require you to undergo thorough physicals and background checks where the issue would be revealed. I'm not saying I'm looking for one of those jobs but just the prospect of being "blacklisted" scares me.
In Canada, every province considers addiction to be a medical condition, and those afflicted are accorded the same rights as anyone else who is ill. You cannot fire an employee for being an alcoholic or a drug addict; you're required by law to offer them treatment. This means that there's a legal definition of addiction, and that anyone presenting with that diagnosis is protected under the law as is anyone else with any other medical condition. Even if your insurance company were to have full access to your medical records, there is no way that they can designate your alcoholism as a pre-existing condition, unless you received documented treatment for it prior to joining your carrier.

That said, stigma around alcoholism and addictions is prevalent everywhere, including the medical profession. If you've been with your doctor for your "entire life," it's important that he/she knows what's going on with you. It's entirely possible that all you'll be doing is to confirm his/her suspicions.
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Old 07-03-2013, 03:15 PM
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My doctor knows how much I used to drink, but she has not labeled me an alcoholic. For that matter, I have not labeled myself as one either. She told me to cut back on alcohol and caffeine. I decided that it would be easier to abstain from alcohol than cut back. We all know the track record with moderation. I saw a specialist today who also said that I need to stop drinking coffee and tea. I am going to try moderating first.
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Old 07-03-2013, 03:28 PM
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A few years ago a Doc asked me how much I drank and I told him 6-7 bottles of wine a week, so he wrote "alcoholic" in my file. What I didn't tell him is that they were 1.5 liter bottles, not the standard 750ml.

My new family Doc asked me a couple of weeks ago how much I drank and I told him 3-4 bottles (this time normal size) a week, and he told me that's still too much.

So you see, my consumption has been going down over the years, but if my liver's screwed, even a little could kill me I suppose. Even if my liver isn't screwed, I suppose I oughtta stop forever. Why tempt fate?
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Old 07-03-2013, 03:36 PM
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I'd hate to think anyone gets put off the idea of seeing their Dr.
I could have saved myself several mini strokes if I had.

There are a lot of important things in our lives....but nothing's more important than our health.

Don't take it for granted, guys.

D
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Old 07-03-2013, 05:10 PM
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Talking with your doctor is a good idea, and if you doctor isn't helpful then find another one you can talk with. I had to persuade my doc that I actually had a problem since I seemed so squeaky clean. And not all MD's are up to date on the latest on addiction/alcoholism and treatment methods.

But as someone said it can be important if you go in for surgery or if you have other conditions such as diabetes.

I found that telling my doctor was an important step in recognizing I had a problem. It meant that I couldn't "undo" it and decide to go back to drinking with nothing changing. It gave me extra incentive to be sober.
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Old 07-03-2013, 05:15 PM
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My RABF did tell his doctor.
The doctor didn't offer any info or advice on AA or any recovery programmes.
In fact RABF gave the doctor advice. The doctor had a friend with alcohol problems so RABF recommended the doctor get the friend a copy of the book "Under the Influence" which he had read & which helped him turn his life around.
It makes me mad at the lack of info & support that the doctors don't have.
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Old 07-03-2013, 07:20 PM
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when I was drinking, from the time I was 18 until 13 months onto recovery(37 years old), I saw a doctor once outside of ER visits due to work related injuries. I was open then about my drinking, but it didn't matter what was said, I denied I had a problem.
even int he ER visits when asked I said I drank. may have stretched( or shrunk) the truth a wee bit tho.
been to quite a few different specialists in recovery and many visits. always open about being in recovery.
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Old 07-03-2013, 09:23 PM
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Nope, never and I didn't want it on my insurance. ETA, I'm not condoning that. I just didn't. I recently switched docs and told her I don't drink because I don't know how to have just one.
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Old 07-03-2013, 09:26 PM
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Never. Like Tamerua I do not want it on any insurance records. I can barely afford the premium as it is.
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Old 07-03-2013, 09:29 PM
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Welp, my doc is my shrink (psychiatrist) and I'm very honest with her. I figure she can't help me if she doesn't know what's going on.

GHD - I "LOL" literally at your post ("I saw a specialist today who also said that I need to stop drinking coffee and tea. I am going to try moderating first.") Cracked me up. Thanks, I needed a laugh!
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Old 07-03-2013, 09:58 PM
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Maybe I'm naive, and I'm sure there are exceptions, but I would think most Docs would be supportive of someone wanting to get help for alcohol / drug issues. Mine was instrumental to getting sober, though I downplayed my problem big time.
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