Tetrax

Thanks.

freedomfries

If you're at risk of a seizure you could go to ER surely?

Tetrax

I don't think I'm quite there tbh. Moderate withdrawals for sure.

Erratic

tetrax you would normaly have to go through your gp or local drug and alcohol clinic which then they may have info on getting u detoxed x thats how it goes for me in scotland but not sure about england.

Hodd

Hi Tetrax, I found dialling 111 to be quite helpful. Give that a try. Sounds like nasty withdrawals. Hope you feel better soon.

Kaily

I would talk to your GP and alcohol services. What they will and won't do seems to differ greatly depending on what area you are in and your personal circumstances. I tried endlessly to get detox to no avail. Medication to assist in detox was also refused due to living on my own and not having anyone to be with me. The powers that be decided it was much safer for me to continue with my bottle plus a day vodka habit.

And of course they all told me to cut down but not to stop as it was dangerous. Oh how my AV loved that, I was drinking to safe my life, I had to drink. It was my green light.

None of them really seemed to understand severe chronic addiction.

Eventually the stars aligned and I did it myself without their help. I hope you will too.

freedomfries

Seems the UK isn't a great place to withdraw. I was recently in hospital following a short bender that left me unconscious and was given librium I didn't really need. When I've had bad WDs and gone to my GP, I was given a decent librium taper, which I think is the norm here because rehabs will tell you to get librium off your gp before they admit you.

If you can't get medical help, stock up on vit b1, b complex and electrolytes. And just suffer I guess if you think you'll be OK without tapering your alcohol.

MythOfSisyphus

I don't know anything about care in the UK I'm afraid, just checking in to see how you're doing @Tetrax.

Triggered

I wouldnt take the chance....I'd be off to A and E as soon as possible...you dont know if your symptoms could get quickly worse.

As for approaching your GP, I did and imo, the 'help' and 'advice' I received was bordeline dangerous. I was refused librium (or any medication really), told to go home and wait until my symptoms got so bad that I had to go to A and E and was not referred to mental health services since I had to be at least 5 weeks sober. Might be better in other districts but mine was condescending, dismissive and offhandish.

jhonnyspa

Hi Tetrax,

Best to get to your A & E you may need blood pressure monitoring, medication and fluids vitamin through (IV) I went trough this and it helped with withdrawal as for a detox you would more then likely need a GP letter to be referred.Good Luck

BackandScared

Good luck Tetrax. I think you should call 111 as Hodd has suggested. If you google walk-in centres or mino injuries on-line & then enter your postcode you may find a place.
When i quit my GP was horrible. After finding the courage 'to confess' and go to the GP she just told me 'why do you drink? just stop' She was quite pissed off with me apparently. I was quite scared and ended up in a walk-in centre near me. The person who saw me there was much nicer and gave me some advice and some medicine to see me through until I could reach some specialised service. It was almost nothing and I had to wait for hours. But just being in a medical centre while I was feeling so bad and having a gentle person listening helped me through the first few hours.

BackandScared

It seems that the GP approach to alcohol addiction in the UK is overall horrible then and not just my experience. I felt so guilty for wasting time of the doctor with my misbehaviour, it has left me scared of going back for any reason

Triggered

It really is shocking B. I had to look further afield for help. I found an organisation called Extern here in N.Ireland who were great and I've been with them ever since. The only problem being that orgs like that cannot dispense medication and it seems you have to be on deaths door for that help from your GP.

Re: Tetrax, have you searched the net for local addiction services?

Hodd

My GP was OK, but I can imagine other GPs being less helpful. I’d still give it a go, though.

Saying that, trying to see a UK GP now is like trying to meet the queen. I found 111 to be a good option as they can offer advice or even get you to a GP faster. If, Tetrax, you really are feeling rough, A&E may be an option. They’ll check you over at least. Good luck and take it easy.

dustyfox

How are you Tetrax? If you live in a city or town you could try the walk in centre - they will at least be able to check you over.

MissPerfumado

Tetrax, I hope you're OK and have been able to contact a service that can help you.

B&S, I am so sorry and so angry on your behalf. My advice to many people here is to confess to your GP. It was a massive relief and help when I did that. My GP was non-judgmental and knowledgable. It wasn't in the UK, it was somewhere in Asia. Then I read of a thoughtless doctor who goes and does this - what happened to that oath to heal the sick??

BackandScared

Thank yo for the message MissPerfumado. I totally agree with you. I was very unlucky but 'confessing' was still the first step to the recovery that started that day.

BackandScared

Tetrax, how are you? As you can see, we had different experiences in the UK but we all managed to get some help at the end, once we reached out. I have told you before and I tell you again. You were a very important inspiration for me when I came here and quit 2 years and a half ago. I have thought several times about you and have read your latest messages on here. I wish you all the best.

Triggered

I hate being cynical but you can only say what you see. Many GP's are of the mindset that an addict has made his own bed and for the most part, it's up to them to resolve their own problem. What they fail to see is that by taking such a stance, they create a conveyor belt of addicts who jump straight back on it after being offered inadequate appropriate advice help and resource to resolve their problem in any sustainable way. The same goes for law enforcement, the judicial system and the world of employment. Jails are filled to the brim with addicts, police actively target and in many instances discriminate against them, governments are woefully misinformed and purposefully ignorant and the public in general follow their lead and are kept ignorant by sensationalist nonsense perpetrated in the media designed for selling papers or collecting clicks. It's a systemic misconception and it permeates through most of society that people should be punished for being in pain. The level of ignorance especially from those you rely on and you would think should know better is staggering.

Triggered

Dont mean to be blunt Miss P but would you 'confess' to your doctor that you had gall stones? Please understand I'm not having a go at you personally, it's the whole language and attitude we're forced to accept surrounding addiction that I have a problem with.