Frustrated at lack of Medical Help
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: California
Posts: 1,428
Originally Posted by blueberry2015 
Btw drug and alcohol services also suggested tapering for me, my doc over ruled that decision.
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: America
Posts: 4,136
Originally Posted by 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!
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!
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Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 748
I too would get a new Dr or at least a second opinion. Something that you can do easily in the UK.
You say "apart from this" you get on very well with your Dr. But the "this" that you are dealing with, and seeking help for, is not a typical everyday ailment... it is life altering and possibly even life threatening. A good Dr should be able to support you in your recovery, not just by providing pills, but also by providing contacts and guidance.
You say "apart from this" you get on very well with your Dr. But the "this" that you are dealing with, and seeking help for, is not a typical everyday ailment... it is life altering and possibly even life threatening. A good Dr should be able to support you in your recovery, not just by providing pills, but also by providing contacts and guidance.
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Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 1,074
Originally Posted by 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.
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.
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: London
Posts: 1
the uk system is extremely frustrating and near useless with dealing with alcoholism.
Here's what I know from many years of experience and from talking to a friend who's a GP...
Firstly it doesn't matter how many different GPs you see. There will be the same outcome - referral to the local alcohol / substance agency (along with advice about not stopping suddenly, AA etc).
This isn't a case of one GP being somehow nicer or not understanding. Referral is the NHS mandated "treatment" that a GP has to give. So that's where you have to go next.
Secondly, A&E won't give you a detox. Being an alcoholic is not an emergency in the immediate sense. - wow I do remember the drunken insanity of the feeling that it was.
A&E will lie you down for a few hours, maybe longer if you're at risk of chocking on vomit or suicidal, then discharge you when yoUve sobered up. But not a detox.
A hospital will admit you for a proper detox only if it's actually an emergency ie seizures and DTs.
But don't think you can fake it like I tried once - I even found the hospitals official admission criteria / checklist - wasn't I clever?. No, they're doctors not idiots (that was me).
That leaves you at the alcohol team who are the gatekeepers to any help available on the NHS.
ThIs help ranges from basic support and advice to detoxes and outpatient centres up to residential rehab.
My advice to get the best out of these places is to be patient, be honest, do everything they ask, and don't be demanding.
They see broken alcoholics every day. They don't know you and your story at first is near identical to everyone else's.
It takes time for them to assess a person but persevere with them.
As mentioned there are charities who will help you - the main help they can give is speeding up the process.
Personally I got offered residential rehab for 6 months. I stupidly turned it down. I was scared to go away for 6 whole months. Wish I'd gone now cos 6 months seem like nothing compared with the 6 further years of alcoholism I put myself through. Hey ho.
Wish you the best of luck with the system.
I hope you can start sobriety with the help of SR and AA way before you've wasted months and months jumping through the NHS hoops
x
Here's what I know from many years of experience and from talking to a friend who's a GP...
Firstly it doesn't matter how many different GPs you see. There will be the same outcome - referral to the local alcohol / substance agency (along with advice about not stopping suddenly, AA etc).
This isn't a case of one GP being somehow nicer or not understanding. Referral is the NHS mandated "treatment" that a GP has to give. So that's where you have to go next.
Secondly, A&E won't give you a detox. Being an alcoholic is not an emergency in the immediate sense. - wow I do remember the drunken insanity of the feeling that it was.
A&E will lie you down for a few hours, maybe longer if you're at risk of chocking on vomit or suicidal, then discharge you when yoUve sobered up. But not a detox.
A hospital will admit you for a proper detox only if it's actually an emergency ie seizures and DTs.
But don't think you can fake it like I tried once - I even found the hospitals official admission criteria / checklist - wasn't I clever?. No, they're doctors not idiots (that was me).
That leaves you at the alcohol team who are the gatekeepers to any help available on the NHS.
ThIs help ranges from basic support and advice to detoxes and outpatient centres up to residential rehab.
My advice to get the best out of these places is to be patient, be honest, do everything they ask, and don't be demanding.
They see broken alcoholics every day. They don't know you and your story at first is near identical to everyone else's.
It takes time for them to assess a person but persevere with them.
As mentioned there are charities who will help you - the main help they can give is speeding up the process.
Personally I got offered residential rehab for 6 months. I stupidly turned it down. I was scared to go away for 6 whole months. Wish I'd gone now cos 6 months seem like nothing compared with the 6 further years of alcoholism I put myself through. Hey ho.
Wish you the best of luck with the system.
I hope you can start sobriety with the help of SR and AA way before you've wasted months and months jumping through the NHS hoops
x
Do your best
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 67,047
I had a detox at a NHS hospital in London ?
Also if you go to your GP they don't just refer you that's not been my experience I spoke with the drug & alcohol team at my local hospital when I was there for 3 days they put me in touch with 2 diffrent orgs to help me
When I told my GP and I see my GP regularly so I really do know what im talking about I'm not just saying this I'm speaking facts of my own experience they helped me with WD & I was classed as living alone there was no hoop jumping either
Kaily my best advice would be go to A&E or make an emergency apt with your GP and take someone with you ?
if I got that help you can to I speak with 27 months exp
Wishing you the best regardless
Also if you go to your GP they don't just refer you that's not been my experience I spoke with the drug & alcohol team at my local hospital when I was there for 3 days they put me in touch with 2 diffrent orgs to help me
When I told my GP and I see my GP regularly so I really do know what im talking about I'm not just saying this I'm speaking facts of my own experience they helped me with WD & I was classed as living alone there was no hoop jumping either
Kaily my best advice would be go to A&E or make an emergency apt with your GP and take someone with you ?
if I got that help you can to I speak with 27 months exp
Wishing you the best regardless
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Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 748
Just an "off the wall thought". I don't know what your financial or personal situation in but there are some EXCELLENT detox clinics in Europe and Morocco which offer 1 or 2 week specialised, medicalised, supervised detox in a nice sunny Holiday environment.
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,251
I feel you Kaily, I had a hell of a time getting help. My regular doctor had no suggestions other than to "just stop" I finally went to an outpatient center that specializes in drug and alcohol addiction and they did not take me seriously. I went in on my own (was not court ordered like nearly everyone else), I was well dressed and clean which they pointed out, implying that my problem wasn't "bad" enough. I did the bloodwork they asked for and when everything came back normal they implied that they did not believe me when I told them the amount I was drinking and my drinking patterns. I told them that I was no better or no worse than anyone else there, the fact that I was still able to manage a shower and clean clothes did not mean I was a better person than the others sent for treatment and did not make me above asking for help.
They also would not give me medication without having someone come in with me and sign out the meds, agreeing to hand me the pills as prescribed.
I did not have anyone who would do this for me.
I kept pushing and pushing. I did everything they asked of me, breathalyzers, regular blood tests, AA, seeing the addiction psychologist, reading really stupid books, I kept making appointments and would honestly tell them about my continued drinking. I pushed and pushed and pushed. Finally I quit on my own and went back on my knees begging for help. I told them I would volunteer for any trial program, any anything, I would go in for a brain transplant if they needed volunteers to study addiction, I would cut my own face off if they told me if would help. Eventually, after employing the help of my doctor (I continued to go see her asking for help) and psychologist, who called the center to vouch for my credibility, my desire and my overall responsible nature they gave me a medication to help with cravings (not detox meds). I am prescribed enough medication for 15 days at a time, which I fill at the pharmacy on my own and am responsible for taking myself. I have to go back and meet with them to get more medication every 2 weeks. It took nearly a year but after much pushing I was able to get help.
This is Italy where things are very bureaucratic and frustrating but where rules can also be bent if you find your way through the right channels. I am not sure if you would have the same success in the UK but my advice would be to keep pushing. Show them how serious you are about wanting to quit and how serious you are about needing help.
Best of luck.
They also would not give me medication without having someone come in with me and sign out the meds, agreeing to hand me the pills as prescribed.
I did not have anyone who would do this for me.
I kept pushing and pushing. I did everything they asked of me, breathalyzers, regular blood tests, AA, seeing the addiction psychologist, reading really stupid books, I kept making appointments and would honestly tell them about my continued drinking. I pushed and pushed and pushed. Finally I quit on my own and went back on my knees begging for help. I told them I would volunteer for any trial program, any anything, I would go in for a brain transplant if they needed volunteers to study addiction, I would cut my own face off if they told me if would help. Eventually, after employing the help of my doctor (I continued to go see her asking for help) and psychologist, who called the center to vouch for my credibility, my desire and my overall responsible nature they gave me a medication to help with cravings (not detox meds). I am prescribed enough medication for 15 days at a time, which I fill at the pharmacy on my own and am responsible for taking myself. I have to go back and meet with them to get more medication every 2 weeks. It took nearly a year but after much pushing I was able to get help.
This is Italy where things are very bureaucratic and frustrating but where rules can also be bent if you find your way through the right channels. I am not sure if you would have the same success in the UK but my advice would be to keep pushing. Show them how serious you are about wanting to quit and how serious you are about needing help.
Best of luck.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: London, England
Posts: 7,061
Thanks so much Meraviglioso I can totally relate to everything you have said, I to have been asked for bloods to prove how much I drink( No idea why I would want to lie about that being as I self referred) I was asked to hold my hands out to see if I had the shakes etc etc Its all enough to drive a person to drink even more!!
It is very sad that people that genuinely want help are refused and made to feel like a fraud. At one point I said if you don't believe what I am drinking you can come and watch me consume it.
It is very sad that people that genuinely want help are refused and made to feel like a fraud. At one point I said if you don't believe what I am drinking you can come and watch me consume it.
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,251
I know! Why in the world would we lie if we are there on our own accord? When I first went I was drinking between 2-3 bottles of wine a day. For whatever reason (I think because of my healthy diet, regular exercise and genetic composition) I have not suffered any severe medical complications. The doctor even said to me "did you send someone else in for the blood work?" I was like "are you serious???? YOU people took my blood, you saw me here!"
I even went as far as to show up for appointments in tattered clothing, no makeup and having not bathed in order to "look the part" I found that so insulting to everyone there. Never, ever did I feel above or better than the other addicts coming in for treatment, yet I was made to feel I had to be scruffy and dirty to be believed. I still don't think the people there truly understand addiction, but I have found I have to play the system in order to get help. I do not think medication is a magic cure, but for certain people, such as myself, it definitely helps. I wish I had more psychological help, but it is what it is and I am doing the best to make the most of what is available.
I even went as far as to show up for appointments in tattered clothing, no makeup and having not bathed in order to "look the part" I found that so insulting to everyone there. Never, ever did I feel above or better than the other addicts coming in for treatment, yet I was made to feel I had to be scruffy and dirty to be believed. I still don't think the people there truly understand addiction, but I have found I have to play the system in order to get help. I do not think medication is a magic cure, but for certain people, such as myself, it definitely helps. I wish I had more psychological help, but it is what it is and I am doing the best to make the most of what is available.
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