Kaily

I am a very heavy drinker 25 to 30 units a day.
Having done my research I went to my doctor, confessed all and asked for help, she was kind but said as I live alone she couldn't give me medication and told me to cut down(near enough impossible for an alcoholic) but not to stop as it would be to dangerous.
Needless to say I had very little success with that so a couple of weeks ago I self referred to a drug and alcohol centre, again they wont help me with medication for the same reasons, again advised to cut down and keep a drink diary, not sure how that is mean't to help, he even implied I wasn't an alcoholic as I don't drink in the morning! I was also told I was not ill enough for residential detox.
I am so very frustrated and can't see a way forward unless I become an even heavy drinker, ridiculous!

Carver

I'm sorry you're having a hard time getting help. Are you in the USA? I only ask because if you're in the UK I might be able to help a bit more.

Anyone who implies that you're not an alcoholic "because you don't drink in the morning" doesn't have the slightest clue what they're talking about.

Dee74

It seems for a lot of places in the UK tapering is the go to recommendation.

I think that's got a lot to do with the size of the alcohol problem there - the system is groaning under the weight, but like Carver suggests anyone who dismisses you for not drinking in the morning really has little or no hands on knowledge of the problem.

I hope others in the UK will be on hand to suggest some local knowledge.

D

ChancesAh

I'd be inclined to enlist the assistance of a good friend or relative to 'tick the box' of not living alone. I really wouldn't think twice about manipulating a system or rule which was counter productive.

Soberwolf

Kaily they wouldn't give you medication because you live alone ?

If you say to your Dr your not tapering as alcoholics can't & say youl be detoxing at home I see no reason why they wouldn't help you ? its not I don't believe you but this wasn't the case for me & I'm in london

Can you go to your local A&E they will definitely help with detox I'd go with someone bk to your GP

FeelingGreat

Kaily any chance of moving in with family or friends just for the detox period? I would look around at accomodation options where someone might be able keep an eye on you. There must be a way.

Carver

Ah, sorry, my phone doesn't let me see where people are from!

Yeah, i think your best bet is to go to an A & E for a detox, and they will probably prescribe you enough meds to be going on with, and give you the details of the next step.

Turning Point is a charity which offers help with substance misuse, i've used them before and they were very nice. There's a list of their places in London here: Turning Point

I hope you get some help

Also, if your gp isn't being very helpful, on your way out of the surgery, book an appointment with a different one. Some doctors care more than others, in my experience.

Kaily

Thanks for the replies.
Soberwolf how long ago did you get medication from your Dr? It seems to be new guidelines as the Dr and the Alcohol centre both said the same thing.
Carver I will look into Turning Point thank you.
Are you sure you can ask A and E for help with detox?
I am going to an AA meeting this afternoon x

Fabat50

Hi there. I live in France. Here we are "over medicated"! I came away from my Dr with so much medication I did not know where to start and felt somewhat spaced out for days. I actually read up on the internet, and here, and opted only for the meds I felt I really needed (very few.)

Two things come to mind. Can you ask your GP to refer you to a Psychiatrist specialised in Alcoholism? My Psy here is just a rock and treats me as an individual person not just a "patient with a drinking problem" and so my treatment is tailored. Second thought... don't think that meds are the magical solution. They can ease you through some rough times but that's all.

Good luck.

MIRecovery

I had a similar experience and the solution is a medical professional who specializes or has knowledge of addiction. My ex-doc left me swinging in the wind and to withdraw on my own which is potentially fatal advice. If you are in the US I would try Salvation Army and see if they can recommend someone.

Congrats on your decision to quit. There is a wonderful sober life to be had. I ended up with drawing on my own and then going to IOP and AA.

Soberwolf

I recently started a course of anti anxiety & anti depressants around 5 months ago I got sober in July 2013

If your GP is saying this I would go A&E for now where they will help if you ask and tell them what your GP has said stress this to them they see this a lot so someone asking for help they will help

Go bk to your GP with the paperwork & go with someone and explain you need help xoxo

Anna

I would also point out that meds are not the magic potion for detoxing, but there are times when detoxing cold turkey is just too dangerous. Staying with family or friends for a few days could be helpful for you.

Fabat50

Absolutely. You make an important point. Thanks for saying that. I would not want my post to be wrongly interpreted. Medical support is important. I was meaning that it it not the meds that do it for you. I came home from the Dr 3 weeks ago proudly clutching my new bag of this that and the other pills and vitamins and the instructions to call the Doc the next day and thought "well with all this stuff it is going to be a piece of cake". And one of first failures was the AV saying "Great. The Dr has messed up.. these damn tablets don't work!!!"

Kaily

I am not looking for a quick fix but I have tried and failed to give up alone.
Staying with family or friends would be a great option but sadly not one that is open to me, I am very much on my own, hence why I asked for medical intervention and support.

SnowDawg

I had the same problem three months ago. Went to an Urgent Care desperate for help. After I waited two hours they informed me I had to go to an ER for medication so I can be monitored. Didn't have time, so suffered another couple of months until I had the time and space to go cold turkey.
Good luck to you and hope it works out!

blueberry2015

See a different doctor perhaps? Tapering requires supervision, you cant be expected to do it alone. I drank on average 20 units a day and my doc gave me dimazpam to help through it, I completed a successful detox at home. I was quite poorly for a week, but made it through. If you do detox at home its advisable to have someone with you, I really think you need to go back to your doctor see a different one if needs be and tell them everything you told us x x x

blueberry2015

Btw drug and alcohol services also suggested tapering for me, my doc over ruled that decision.

48heath

Kaily did you go to the AA meeting?

Kaily

Yes it was great, lovely people and inspiring stories shared.

Kaily

Thank you and well done.
My doctor is adamant I have spoken to her on several occasions about it, apart from this issue I do have a good relationship with her.