Step12

Well, giving health advice on a website isn't always the best thing to do. I think what your doctor might mean is that you should not stop abruptly. Sounds to me like you need an inpatient rehabilitation. The reason why he doesn't want you to stop cold turkey is because your blood pressure can go to skyhigh and your body is used to it that's why some of that shake and our liver is somewhat failing. When I got sober my parents took it away from me but the doctor said give her a little until we can get her detoxed because she could die. That's what I was told. I'm not sure if you may be understanding your doctor hundred percent or maybe you need another addiction doctor. Still remember medical advice is not valid on a website or from anyOne who is not a position. You can listen to other people's experiences but seek help if you're not sure.

Step12

Pretty amazing we are all saying the exact same thing.

Step12

OMG 172/114? Not good

Step12

Er If your Bp is that high you may have other problems. You should go.

Berrybean

The Priory in N London is (according to many people I've met in AA meetings who have stayed sober many, many years) an excellent rehab facility. Might be worth looking into and really pushing your GP for a referral (including asking for second opinions if he / she is unmoveable on it).

AnonWife

You do know what your talking about. With BP that high I also feel you should have medical detox for safety. Im sorry your having such a hard time getting it. Seems wrong when your trying to get the help properly through your doctor.

2muchpain

With Bp that high, you need to go to an ER now!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing else matters right now. I don't understand why you are not doing this. John

OpenTuning

Kaily,

This is from the NHS website:

"Where detox is carried out:

How and where you attempt detoxification will be determined by your level of alcohol dependency. In mild cases you should be able to detox at home without the use of medication because your withdrawal symptoms should also be mild.
If your consumption of alcohol is high (over 20 units a day) or you've previously experienced withdrawal symptoms, you may also be able to detox at home with medication to help ease withdrawal symptoms. A tranquiliser called chlordiazepoxide is usually used for this purpose.

If your dependency is severe, you may need to go to a hospital or clinic to detox. This is because the withdrawal symptoms will also be severe and are likely to need specialist treatment."

These are the treatments offered by the NHS. If you've been honest with your GP or at the ER about the state of your dependency, in particular about your blood pressure level and the fact you live alone, why have you not been offered these services? They are your right. As so many others have now said on this thread and your last one, you need to demand them. It's your life and health that's at stake.

PurpleKnight

You're definitely not alone in this Kaily!! SR is in your corner, and want's you to crack this!!

Kaily

Thanks I know all this thats why I am finding it so frustrating. They have me keeping drink diary, a liver test which amazingly showed very little damage and as I said before they want me to stabilise then cut down but as most of us know is near on impossible.
I turn up to all my appointments but still no detox and they keep expressing the dangers of me trying to stop on my own. I really am at a lose as to know what to do.
I have another appointment at the drug and alcohol centre on Tuesday.

Soberwolf

Hi Kailey its good your keeping appointments tell them on tuesday and have you been to the hospital & refused ?

I would go and get paperwork saying they won't help & bring documentation to every apt

I'm taking it your not drinking now ?

SereneEdition

Hi Kaily -

Perhaps none of the doctors want the risk of liability by recommending that you quit right away. They may not have the capacity to deal with an issue under 1 facility.

Hence - go to the ER and do the medical detox. They operate on a different risk and timeline and have the tools to get you through all right there. If you want to stop, what is holding you back?

OpenTuning

This is what I still don't understand. You have made it crystal clear to us that you are incapable of stabilising and cutting down. Why do they not believe you when you tell them that? Have you told them that as forcefully as you're telling us? It just makes no sense that you would say to them you have no off switch, that if you drink, you drink to oblivion to the point where it's damaging your life and health. And they just tell you to keep a drink diary and to try to stop drinking too much. It doesn't add up. They have to offer you a medically supervised detox if your situation is as bad as you're telling us it is.

If you're struggling to either tell them all the facts, or to be as forceful as you need to be, is there absolutely nobody you could bring with you for moral support or to back up what you're saying? If not, could you perhaps even print off what you've posted on here and take it with you so they can read what you said to us? Just explain that you find it hard to say these things as clearly as you need to, but you've written it down for them? And also print off what I quoted from the NHS website for what you need them to offer to you?

Kaily

Opentuning thanks yes I have indeed told them plus its all in my drinks diary to see. Last time I went they said because I had gone 17 with out a drink and had no obvious signs of withdrawal apart from very high BP they said I should be able to manage with out a detox, reason I hadn't drunk was so I could drive to the appointment!
I know I sound negative but when you finally reach out and say you need help, help is what you need.
Anyway just back from an AA meeting it was great to be with people that genuinely know about addiction not a medical person that has learnt about it from a book.

Soberwolf

Good on you going to a meeting Kaily x

biminiblue

Good, I'm glad you went to a meeting. Keep going. Is there another one tomorrow you can go to?

You can quit, just keep at it and don't let anyone tell you differently.

It's work and it's worth it.

OpenTuning

Was that 17 hours without a drink? Think a word was missing there.

I think I understand now. From what you wrote earlier it sounded like they wouldn't let you detox on your own at home, but also wouldn't offer you a medically supervised one. Which made no sense. But it sounds like they're saying, based on your drink diary and a medical checkup, that you don't need a medically supervised detox and can in fact do this on your own. In terms of being medically safe that is. Is that right?

I hope you didn't feel like you were being judged before, it was just difficult to know how to support you when it wasn't clear what your medical situation was.

At this point, do you disagree about it being safe to quit without medical supervision, or is it that you're hoping for a different kind of support from the NHS? In an ideal world, what would you like your GP to offer you?

It's terrific that you're going to AA meetings, and I hope they can help give you the support you're looking for. And please do lean on us for support as well. We really do want you to beat this addiction, and find the happiness you deserve.

Kaily

I understand your confusion with my posts- I keep getting different answers from the medics I see. Sometimes I do need a detox but can't have it due to living alone, then I suddenly don't need one.
At the end of the day I want to stop drinking an average of 25 units a night and turn my life around.

biminiblue

Do you have a meeting picked out to go to today?

Kaily

Not today its 19.40 and I am ready for bed, I have drunk a bottle and a half of wine which for me is an improvement!
I did 2 long walks with my dogs and 3 hours working.
I have a appointment at the clinic tomorrow.