How honest do you think I should be with the doctor?
 

trouble is I've gone to them in the past with anxiety, which I suffer with....I have made an appointment and I know I have to go, besides the emotional addiction, each time I stop I'm getting dangerous side effects. I'm just worried to admit how much I really drink and have drunk.

They need to know. What if they gave you the wrong medication or the wrong dose and something really bad happened?

I've always felt you should be honest with your doctor when they may be scribing meds.

So what if it endanger your finaces and then your actual living arrangements?

Can you be more specific? You're as annonomous (early morning. can't spell) as you possibly can be here. Spill it Bradster. ;)

how bad do you want to get well?

and like i said. we make things much bigger in our heads.

Well I did work about a few years straight - then went sick with real anxiety. They gave me medication, but I stopped taking it and my drinking which was bad has become very bad. I have claimed previously I didn't drink...If I now admit how much I drink and have drunk I'm scared I'll be cut off....

do you mean cut off from benefits? like medicare or job benefits?

Anxiety and alcohol do not mix. If you can stop the alcohol your anxiety will get much better. You can't put out a fire with gasoline which is what you are trying to do. The alcohol will make your medication NOT work. The medication is going into your body but not working correctly because of your drinking however.......when you stop taking the meds your body will withdrawl and your symtoms will feel worse.
I have been on Lexapro and it has worked great. I have tried others. It's trial and error. You need to be completly honest with him.
He's going to tell you simply to quit drinking, let him know you feel you can't.
I wish you the best.

Yes benifits. I live in the UK. It's benefits you get for being ill.

tell him everything bradster,

as far as i know youll still be entitled to most benefits,
which one are you worring about specifically, i used to work with the belfast law society helping people out with benefit inquiries........albeit a long time ago

i might be able to help you with information
:wavey:

Is it completely confidential or do they have to report something if you admit how much you have been drinking? What about an addiction specialist?

I don't know of any reason not to tell the Dr. about your use and they should know that sort of thing if they are going to prescribe any medication. Most meds don't take kindly to alcohol. Plus how is the Dr. supposed to help if they don't know all of the facts.

The decision is your of course and I will end with this parting thought - part of recovery is being completely honest, this might be a good time to start.

:SteprobL:

Be honest. It's the way to becoming healthy and well Bradster.

Should you tell the truth????
 

Hi Bradster, :You_Rock_

I am another one to tell the truth...I did to a Alcohol Counselor, A dotor that was on call at the hospital & agreed to be my doc, & to the State Health Department when I applied for a Counselor's Certification....It all paid off in the end.

I was medically detoxed in the hospital so had no withdrawals at all. I think they have specific medical detox with tx centers now.

My brother is 67 years old & was able to quit his drugs using just alcohol but now needs to get off alcohol and can't. His son took him to a doctor because he had symptoms of a heart attack (which he did have a heart attack at home) and he told the doctor the whole truth...the doctor will help him when & if he agrees to help himself get off of alcohol. :praying

I have been sober 20 years and at one time my brother had 14 years sober & clean but started again about the same time I sobered up. His second wife left him....so that was his reasoning for drinking again.

Our parents are both gone & my brother was very co-dependent with them. They bailed him out of jail, paid his bills when he couldn't, and just about ruined his ability (along with the drugs & alcohol) to function on his own.

It is a much longer story that includes us owning the family home together that ended with me having my lawyer evict him & the others that he rented bedrooms out to.

Most doctors today want to help anyone, especially someone that is honest & willing to do what it takes to help themselves. There are many ways to get sober & stay sober but staying sober is much harder than getting sober. I needed other sober people to help me as well as being able to help others myself. Much of my help was by example & sharing my experience, strength, & hope with others.

I wish you the best...keep coming back...post to let us know how you are doing. The financial situation may stay the same or get better if you do get sober....there are lots of places to get help depending on where you live.

That person that mentioned he might be able to get some info for you would be a good place to start. :atv

kelsh

I'm totally honest with my doctors.
Otherwise ..It's a waste of time for both of us.
JMO

Hope your finding your way into sobriety ...:yup:

I agree with being completely honest to the doc. Even if you think your benefits might be changed, just talk with the docotor about it, he/she is there to help you in anyway he/she can.

I lied to doctors for years about my drinking. When I was admitted into the ER with an inflammed liver at first I still lied about! It is hard to come clean, but it is such a tremendous relief when we do. Good luck to you.

To get and stay sober (and thereby, healthier) I had to be honest - with myself and with others. My docter especially. He can't treat me well if he doesn't know the extent of my troubles. Just my opinion...

:ghug3

For me completely as I wanted to stop being so sick and start to get well, the process continues and honesty is still front and centre.

Thanks for the reminder.

Kevin