Medical Profession regarding patients w/addictions

Old 05-20-2009, 06:05 AM
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Medical Profession regarding patients w/addictions




Okay, I haven't seen this addressed anywhere, and its something I just remembered.

My friend, drinks 7 days a week, and over the past few years has added crack to the mix.

He told me about having a sinus infection, and went to the dr/dentist.

What I was curious about -- when the docs/dentists are working on these people, aren't there checkups and stuff, and wouldn't these guys detect BAC's and other evidence of the excesses and illicit substance uses?

I remember being puzzled that he'd given no evidence that the dr had in any way referred to his alcohol use, or that there might be these other impacts on the sinuses. I was hoping this would occur, keeping me from being the 'bad guy' who picked on his abuse.

I've also recently learned that the drug use can lead to tooth loss, and my friend recently has experienced this. Where the heck is the medical profession from this perspective?! I mean, when the obese and severely overweight get checkups, seems the drs give them some sort of advice or suggestions . . .

Is this some underground conspiracy . . .

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Old 05-20-2009, 06:43 AM
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Years ago, before I went to treatment for the first time, my wife was worried about my drinking and whatnot and asked that I get a physical and tell the doctor honestly to see what he said about my drinking. FYI - at the time I was drinking roughly a liter of gin a night.

Doctor asks me how many drinking I'm having per day. I told him approximately 20 drinks per day. (I'm not sure if 20 oz. = one liter or not - but I thought I was being honest at the time.

He asked if I was having trouble holding a job, getting any DWIs, trouble at home, etc. I told him no there was no trouble with any of that stuff. And he said some people can handle that much liquor. The only concern was the liver and that would be checked with part of the physical.

Basically, his point was that if I'm not having any consequences, there must not be a problem.

My point is that much of the medical profession has no clue about drug/alcohol abuse. That's why it's best (in my experience) to work with health care professionals who have experience/training in substance abuse.

In addition, if I'm not honest with my doctors about what I'm putting in my body, they aren't going to know. They may suspect or see signs, but that's neither here nor there.
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Old 05-20-2009, 08:19 AM
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I agree with the previous post. Unless you happen upon a doctor with specific focus on addiction, their general training/experience is very limited in helping in this area. That's what I've found anyway. Either that or the dr might be in denial of some sort and turn a blind eye.

My spouse was having health and drinking issues a few years ago and we did the same, went to see the gp. He focused on the health symptoms and referred my H for further tests with specialists to rule things out. Much time elapsed before everything washed out, as if the doctor was willing to let time heal things or bring things to the fore.

The problem was, things had to be very, very bad for my dh to even think of seeing the dr in the first place, let alone make an appt and follow through on everything. One of the specialists didn't help things when he said, almost in passing when my dh told him it seemed that a drink in the evening helped the trembling he was having. The specialist said, "Oh yes, a drink is the best thing for this kind of thing."

I couldn't believe it! I was so shocked I was speechless, but did ask about his statement in a later appt for clarity. He was assuming no alcohol issues of course. And wasn't interested beyond the results of the tests he did to rule out other things.

I got myself to an Al-Anon meeting and found myself a sponsor and began seriously working the Steps. Then things began to change for the better for both of us and somehow dh began taking a more honest look at himself and listening to me, improving our communication. I'm taking care of myself and letting go what isn't mine. I'm amazed what's happening because I put the ball in my spouse's court and am no longer carrying it for him.

Anyway, that's my story, just to say we got little response from the doctors and they seem reluctant to be frank and upfront about addiction/alochol or else knew very little about it.

Wishing you all the best,
Nea
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Old 05-20-2009, 08:49 AM
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Originally Posted by DisMaid View Post
I remember being puzzled that he'd given no evidence that the dr had in any way referred to his alcohol use, or that there might be these other impacts on the sinuses. I was hoping this would occur, keeping me from being the 'bad guy' who picked on his abuse.
Even if the doctor had said something to him, do you really think that would have any impact on your friend?

How many obese people go to the doctor time after time, and are told of the health risks due to obesity, yet continue to stay obese?

How many smokers go to the doctor time after time, and are told of the health risks of smoking, yet continue to smoke?

Just food for thought.
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Old 05-20-2009, 09:21 AM
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I have had teeth issues my entire life. I do not drink or use drugs.

How would an MD or DDS know if a patient was abusing alcohol or drugs?
Blood tests are not routine for sinus infections and DDS do not perform blood tests. Health consequences are probably among the very last things an alcoholic or addict thinks about.

Do you think when you pick on your friend, it's going to make a difference?
If picking on and/or carring for an alcoholic/addict could cure them, none of us would be here. To beleive so, suggests any of us have power over someone else and their choices.

Alcoholism and addiction are progressive. If what your friend does is unacceptable to you, you have the choice to disengage from him.
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Old 05-20-2009, 09:55 AM
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My ABF went to the DR due to GOUT which appeared in his big toe. He never told his dr about the coke abuse though.
The Dr took some tests and told him he needed to (lay off the drink) to recover.
the tests came back showing raised levels of enzymes in the liver. She told him to come back in 2 months for another test to see if it reduced.
The ABF was worried... he stayed off the alchohol and coke for 1 week.
He spoke to his friend (who also is an alchoholic) and he told abf that drs ALWAYS say this to patients to just SCARE them. That Drs said that to him for years and he was still alive.
So sure enough, ABF started drinking again and said because it was Vodka and not whiskey then it was ok.
You can imagine my laughter at that remark.
So it proves that even if a DR does detect something, and says something. They don't ALWAYS listen.
The choose NOT to hear it most times.

~Limiya~
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