About to get kicked out of medical school
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Join Date: Aug 2015
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About to get kicked out of medical school
I may have lied before and said I'm a doctor. I'm not yet I'm still in medical school (but I have my undergrad and postgrad qualifications in psychology, not that it matters just giving background information) but I am potentially about to get kicked out because of my drinking. I am in England have to face a "fitness to practise" assessment with physicians on Thursday. Someone said to me I either have to quit drinking or quit university they are my choices. I have great doubts about quitting because I find sober life boring which is why I keep going back to drinking, I have found nothing I enjoy as much as drinking alcohol. I usually just drink at night, 1/2 litre vodka, plus 1 bottle of wine plus more if I have money. I have great problem calling myself an alcoholic because in my opinion it's not a valid medical or psychological term so I am stuck at a crossroads.
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Northwest
Posts: 4,215
Do you want to be a doctor or do you want to drink?
It sounds like your choices are remarkably clearcut, really...
As for labels...call yourself an orange-tailed gibbon if it pleases you, but when your "enjoyment" of drinking is imperiling everything you've worked for eight years to achieve...maybe it's time to acknowledge that it might have stepped over enjoyment and into addiction?
It's your life and your choice, but it would be a great shame for you to take the addiction path and then ten years from now, look up and regret losing this opportunity.
I wish you well.
It sounds like your choices are remarkably clearcut, really...
As for labels...call yourself an orange-tailed gibbon if it pleases you, but when your "enjoyment" of drinking is imperiling everything you've worked for eight years to achieve...maybe it's time to acknowledge that it might have stepped over enjoyment and into addiction?
It's your life and your choice, but it would be a great shame for you to take the addiction path and then ten years from now, look up and regret losing this opportunity.
I wish you well.
Canine Welfare Advocate
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
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Originally Posted by JamesfrmEngland 
II have great problem calling myself an alcoholic because in my opinion it's not a valid medical or psychological term so I am stuck at a crossroads.
Recovering
Join Date: May 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 1,361
Yes, it sounds like you have come to that crossroads that many of us have. Maybe you don't relate to the term 'alcoholic', but for me that captures perfectly the type of person who would seriously knowingly consider choosing destructive use of alcohol over a medical career.
Crossroads it is. Only you can choose which road you choose to take. I know which I hope you choose.
P.S. I do have a doctorate in medical science (pharmacology), and my career is in medical and biomedical research, and my experience is that the Big Book is much more insightful about alcoholism than medical textbooks - it was written by people who knew what it was like from the inside. Don't be afraid to disagree with current medical 'dogma'. If you haven't read the Big Book yet, I would. It should speak to anyone who might seriously choose alcohol over a stimulating career helping others.
Crossroads it is. Only you can choose which road you choose to take. I know which I hope you choose.
P.S. I do have a doctorate in medical science (pharmacology), and my career is in medical and biomedical research, and my experience is that the Big Book is much more insightful about alcoholism than medical textbooks - it was written by people who knew what it was like from the inside. Don't be afraid to disagree with current medical 'dogma'. If you haven't read the Big Book yet, I would. It should speak to anyone who might seriously choose alcohol over a stimulating career helping others.
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 37
Well..this is your crossroad...I loved to drink also..but there comes a time to face the facts and consequences related to those facts..I am in NP school..last semester flunked a course...I was humiliated..fact is..I wasn't present..I was drinking and making it by..I've decided I need to be clear headed to learn how to take care of others.
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Join Date: Aug 2015
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Posts: 274
Originally Posted by Seren
Forgive me for being blunt.
But for your sake...
...and more importantly for the sake for any future patients...
I hope you do get kicked out for now.
Truly, I wish you nothing but the best.
But for your sake...
...and more importantly for the sake for any future patients...
I hope you do get kicked out for now.
Truly, I wish you nothing but the best.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Northwest
Posts: 274
Originally Posted by Michael66
Yes, it sounds like you have come to that crossroads that many of us have. Maybe you don't relate to the term 'alcoholic', but for me that captures perfectly the type of person who would seriously knowingly consider choosing destructive use of alcohol over a medical career.
Crossroads it is. Only you can choose which road you choose to take. I know which I hope you choose.
P.S. I do have a doctorate in medical science (pharmacology), and my career is in medical and biomedical research, and my experience is that the Big Book is much more insightful about alcoholism than medical textbooks - it was written by people who knew what it was like from the inside. Don't be afraid to disagree with current medical 'dogma'. If you haven't read the Big Book yet, I would. It should speak to anyone who might seriously choose alcohol over a stimulating career helping others.
Crossroads it is. Only you can choose which road you choose to take. I know which I hope you choose.
P.S. I do have a doctorate in medical science (pharmacology), and my career is in medical and biomedical research, and my experience is that the Big Book is much more insightful about alcoholism than medical textbooks - it was written by people who knew what it was like from the inside. Don't be afraid to disagree with current medical 'dogma'. If you haven't read the Big Book yet, I would. It should speak to anyone who might seriously choose alcohol over a stimulating career helping others.
Recovering
Join Date: May 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 1,361
As I'm sure you know James, it would be very irresponsible to be seeing patients on the amount you are drinking. Sounds like now really is a critical decision point for you. Believe me - the last thing you want to do is to cause avoidable serious harm (harm you know was because you chose to drink heavily the night before seeing patients, or harm caused by drinking on or before a shift) - that destroys doctors and patients alike. Take a break from med school if you need to. Don't put others at risk because of your drinking.
Into the Void
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: California
Posts: 931
Good God, man, please try and step back from your addicted mentality and look at this objectively. On the one hand you can have a long healthy life of meaningful and intellectually stimulating work, wealth, prestige and presumably romantic success. On the other hand you can have your beloved buzz which will probably lead you to lose your career, relationships and health and quite likely lead you to poverty and early death. Not much of a choice, is it?
The fact that you even consider this a dilemma is evidence that your AV or addicted voice is controlling your thinking by instilling in you the fear that life will never by enjoyable without alcohol. We've all been there and that is of course total ********. Please don't let the addiction ruin your life. See the mental tricks for what they are and stop now, for the love of God. You don't have to call yourself an alcoholic, you can just take the position that you have a problem with drinking. What you call it doesn't really matter, but you certainly sound addicted to alcohol, as are many, many people in our countries.
The fact that you even consider this a dilemma is evidence that your AV or addicted voice is controlling your thinking by instilling in you the fear that life will never by enjoyable without alcohol. We've all been there and that is of course total ********. Please don't let the addiction ruin your life. See the mental tricks for what they are and stop now, for the love of God. You don't have to call yourself an alcoholic, you can just take the position that you have a problem with drinking. What you call it doesn't really matter, but you certainly sound addicted to alcohol, as are many, many people in our countries.
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wisconsin, USA
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You've been coming here for about a year and a half now, each time with a reason why you can't, won't or don't want to quit drinking. Perhaps getting kicked out of medical school will be the catalyst for change for you, but based on your indifference already It's certainly questionable.
For the sake of your potential future patients, getting kicked out is probably the best for everyone concerned.
For the sake of your potential future patients, getting kicked out is probably the best for everyone concerned.
Trudgin
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,348
Originally Posted by JamesfrmEngland
Yes I have been to AA for about two years on and off but for what other condition apart from alcohol addiction would you have to pray to God and confess your faults?
The first step in AA has an underlying virtue of honesty - to oneself. Are you satisfied you've done that one?
When all the obstacles to my sobriety were removed - job, money, home - I finally decided it was time to get sober. Some of us just didn't see the training coming hard at us.
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Join Date: Aug 2003
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James it kind of sounds like you've made up your mind that stopping drinking isn't worth it. I believe it's very difficult to get through medical school and I imagine it would take all your energy. Are you ready to commit to school?
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: North of England
Posts: 1,442
It is hard not to feel a sense of frustration at the potential waste of a life you have just flaunted in front of those who have read your OP.
You are weighing a career in a profession where you could potentially save many hundreds of lives against continuing to drink and you are treating them as equivalents on a pair of scales? And you don't think you are an alcoholic? You may not think it is a medical diagnosis - but that doesn't matter - it is a life diagnosis and one you would do well to ponder.
You are weighing a career in a profession where you could potentially save many hundreds of lives against continuing to drink and you are treating them as equivalents on a pair of scales? And you don't think you are an alcoholic? You may not think it is a medical diagnosis - but that doesn't matter - it is a life diagnosis and one you would do well to ponder.
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 732
James im a nurse specialist and have worked really hard to get where I am today, all the while drinking too much, then heavily, then until I couldn't function at all
I called in sick with a 'vomiting bug', went to the dr and came clean about my drinking. She referred me to an alcohol advisory service and he said if I didn't get my daughter out of my house that day he would tell the social services, and if I didn't go on long term sick immediately he would report me to my line manager and also the NMC (our governing body).
Apart from my awful,physical symptoms, this scared me enough to stop drinking. The difference is I have to keep a roof over my daughter's head, and also my dogs for that matter.
If it was just me I might have thought a life of drinking was preferable, as I was having fun (in between being sick) at times.
Try and think of your future and possible dependants you might have. If med school isn't for you then fair enough, but don't choose alcohol over anything it's not worth it.
I called in sick with a 'vomiting bug', went to the dr and came clean about my drinking. She referred me to an alcohol advisory service and he said if I didn't get my daughter out of my house that day he would tell the social services, and if I didn't go on long term sick immediately he would report me to my line manager and also the NMC (our governing body).
Apart from my awful,physical symptoms, this scared me enough to stop drinking. The difference is I have to keep a roof over my daughter's head, and also my dogs for that matter.
If it was just me I might have thought a life of drinking was preferable, as I was having fun (in between being sick) at times.
Try and think of your future and possible dependants you might have. If med school isn't for you then fair enough, but don't choose alcohol over anything it's not worth it.
All is Change
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,284
What does one say to a person who on the one hand is intelligent enough to pass years of medical school and on the other displays such a singular attachment to blatant idiocy?
Putting aside anger.
Please, re-read your comments as if they are from someone else.
I dropped out of uni in my early twenties. I spent an increasing amount of time drunk. Going to lectures drunk. I didn't know I was an alcoholic. I didn't think of my alcohol abuse as being a factor.
Decades later, after a life on the road I go to the doctor more for health problems related to past alcohol abuse. I'm glad the doctor I see is not the present you.
You have a big advantage over the me that dropped out of uni in having an inkling of your problem.
Keep coming back. What happens on Thursday will happen.
Putting aside anger.
Please, re-read your comments as if they are from someone else.
I dropped out of uni in my early twenties. I spent an increasing amount of time drunk. Going to lectures drunk. I didn't know I was an alcoholic. I didn't think of my alcohol abuse as being a factor.
Decades later, after a life on the road I go to the doctor more for health problems related to past alcohol abuse. I'm glad the doctor I see is not the present you.
You have a big advantage over the me that dropped out of uni in having an inkling of your problem.
Keep coming back. What happens on Thursday will happen.
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