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Help!

Posted , 9 users are following.

angela26170
angela26170

i realise this forum is universal,and appreciated all the advice,which included going to my GP well he gave me a leaflet for Gateway,I am in Midlothian Scotland,so went to the clinic Gateway for addictions,and she said they don't give out pills to help alcohol problems,doesn't know about Sinclair method,and I just in the wrong country? Obviously drinking half bottle vodka a day,the money I spend on that,I don't mind paying for naltrexone.Now I am waiting for referral to ELCA who also don't recognise any pills to curb alcohol intake.I am very confused.There has been offers of acupuncture to help!

0 likes, 31 replies

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  • Joanna-SMUKLtd
    Joanna-SMUKLtd angela26170

    Posted

    Hi Angela,

    I am going to see you a PM with a link to a private doctor in Glasgow who not only prescribes naltrexone, but prescribes it as per TSM.

    I know you are a little far from Glasgow but if you call them you can ask for a phone consultation for the treatment.

    This is the doctor who first prescribed my tablets to me for this method back in October 2013, and I ive in England!

    Also, ironic that I looked up the Service User Leaflet for the Gateway Clinic and the very first entry under the section that says Services available following initial consultation include 'Specialist prescribing (drug and ALCOHOL)'.  I will include that link for you too and it's on page 2.

    Have also just looked up the ECLA website and this appears to be information and counselling on alcohol only.  It doesn't look as if they have any prescribing physicians at all.

    Joanna.

    • Joanna-SMUKLtd
      Joanna-SMUKLtd

      Posted

      Hope you got the PM ok.  I have also incuded the details of a private doctor in Edingburgh too.  B

      (the reason I have PM'd this information to you is because a public forum is not really the place to be listing doctors details).

    • angela26170
      angela26170 Joanna-SMUKLtd

      Posted

      Hi Joanna thanks so much for the info,been out all day in the sun so just read your message now,not found the link yet,but wanted to thank you. Angela x
    • ADEfree
      ADEfree Joanna-SMUKLtd

      Posted

      Oddly enough, a 2009 article references a doc that found Naltrexone useful at Lothian Alcohol Problems Services.

      Google:

      Sober MD: Naltrexone: can a pill cure alcoholism?

      So there might be a few, here and there...

  • RHGB
    RHGB angela26170

    Posted

    I can't really add anything that Joanna has already said, except, do follow her advice. We've had one or two people from Lothian before, and they seem to think that whatever the Scottish NHS says, doesn't apply to them. And that obviously trickles down to the alcohol recovery centres.
    • angela26170
      angela26170 RHGB

      Posted

      Thank you RHGB I,ll get myself sorted with the help of the good people in this forum,much appreciated.  Angela x
  • vodka07
    vodka07 angela26170

    Posted

    Hi Angela, 

    I am also located in Edinburgh and have experienced many disappointments since requesting help back in 2015.

    Like you, my GP referred me to Alcohol Services. I went back to my GP again to request Nalmefene which they had never heard of. They refused to prescribe this after speaking to Alcohol Services. I am currently on Day 6 alcohol free after doing a home detox last week using Librium. I was also half a litre of vodka or evening drinker. 

    With much persistence I have finally managed Alcohol Services to prescribe Campral instead of Antabuse. It's very early days but I'm positive and determined!!

    • RHGB
      RHGB vodka07

      Posted

      Oh, I'm so glad you got the right medication and not Antabuse, particularly after your previous experience. What do you think made them finally relent?
    • vodka07
      vodka07 RHGB

      Posted

      So nice to see you back RHGB, you have provided so much needed advice and support in a short period of time 👍🏻  Ultimately I think it was persistence, and the fact that I was seen by another CPN during my detox who stated she prescribes Campral to anyone that wants and needs it!! Things are still difficult, but I'm taking it day by day and should be on Campral by next Tuesday. 🔜 🔚
    • RHGB
      RHGB vodka07

      Posted

      Thank you for the compliment, I'm getting a bit embarrassed, I've had more in the last few days, than in my life time.

      Just give the Campral a couple of weeks, it doesn't take effect in the first couple of days. Just one day, you'll sit there and go, my, I've not thought about alcohol for a couple of days.

    • angela26170
      angela26170 vodka07

      Posted

      Hello vodka07 hope later you are Vodkafree07 but I know long haul,good to hear from you,local advice good for me because of the "politics" great it's a worldly problem shared,but countries and regions all differ,nice you are getting somewhere,I am drinking just now,or I won't sleep,but need to be around for kids and 2 grandkids,I owe it to them to not die with alcohol problems,all the best to you,and keep in touch.x
  • richard89308
    richard89308 angela26170

    Posted

    sounds like they don't have a clue to me. I hope you get better treatment on the pills.
  • ADEfree
    ADEfree angela26170

    Posted

    Brilliant treatment at the hands of Gateway! Did they offer you the choice of leeches or trepanning instead? 

    Sounds like the abstainistas there could benefit from a banquet. A banquet of shame!

    Were you able to find Joanna's links?

    • angela26170
      angela26170 ADEfree

      Posted

      Didn't find Joanne,s links,but can do research with my iPad,I have benefited greatly from all the comments and advice,and not took Gateway up on their offer of acupuncture yet,because no one on the forum ever mentioned that helping their alcohol problem.
    • Joanna-SMUKLtd
      Joanna-SMUKLtd angela26170

      Posted

      If you look at the top right hand side of the screen, you should see the 'Messages' tab.  That is where it will be.

      As for acupuncture, I've had it when someone I know was training to work for a similar organisation to Gateway near me (called Addaction).  I can't say it did anything to stop me drinking but it was very relaxing, if not for the acupuncture itself, most definitely for the 45 minutes that I was laid down, when of course you have to stop.

      I would say 'why not?'  for the acupuncture.  The being still might just help you in ways that you weren't aware of before....

    • RHGB
      RHGB angela26170

      Posted

      If you checked your PM's, not Joanna's forum posts, you should have the links. You won't find the information Joanna has given on the net. PM her if you still can't see it.

      Really, it is worth getting those links. Someone who understands what help you need, is worth their weight in gold, so many physicians just don't understand alcohol addicition.

      I had to smile about the acupuncture, I'm well known for not believing in, acupuncture, meditation, Zen Buddhism, aromatherapy, existentialism, Kumbaya My Lord, group therapy, scented candles, not treading on the cracks in the pavement - yes I am being a bit tongue in cheek. Please confirm if you have managed to read your PMs and get those links.

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