1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Alcohol Consumption

HONK IF U HAVE BEEN ASKED FOR UR STORY BY THE MEDIA.

Posted , 3 users are following.

hope4cure
hope4cure

 I think it's sad that members of the media join this forum to troll for stories ,

for their own popularity. Weather it's for meds on the market or whatever, they should go thru the proper channels to get the stories. This is a health forum not for media to troll through.

i have been PM'ed many times asking for an interview and tell my story.

My response: OK ...Let me run it past a media lawyer in UR area and sign a contact that a certain % of monies made thru my story goes to alcohol rehab and research. I never hear from them again. So that to me shows their intensions .    Then I report them to the moderator.

How low of these media reporters to troll thru a help forum which is designed to support other use of alcohol to find a story to make themselves look good. 

HONK... if u have been approached by someone from the media !

1 like, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • vickylou
    vickylou hope4cure

    Posted

    I wasn't aware that this was going on. Yet another example of people trying to make money from other people's misery. Really feel sorry for you Hope. You've been through so much in supporting your son, without having to deal with these parasites. Well done for dealing with them in your usual professional way.
    • hope4cure
      hope4cure vickylou

      Posted

      Thank you Vickylou I am vey encouraged as usual by UR words od understanding and support. Words are such a powerfulpowerfulmthing. Many blessings sent UR way for the Holidays. 

      Enlarge my pic it's a pic of my dogs & horses posing  in a holiday display! 

      Mare-e-Xmas 

  • PaulJTurner1964
    PaulJTurner1964 hope4cure

    Posted

    A few of us were contacted by BBC Radio 5 Live to take part in a discussion about Nalmefene. In that case, I didn't see a problem because of the lack of awareness of this new drug which many people are finding helps them a great deal. Even many doctors know nothing, or very little about Nalmefene.

    I had agreed to talk on that show about things from my point of view as an independent alcohol treatment practitioner and was in the studio with headphones on, all ready to talk, when the recent Sydney cafe siege escalated and they had to move straight over to that story, and the Nalmefene discussion was cut short.

    I think that if the purpose of any media story is to educate people, it is good and I am glad that they come here to find the people who have first hand knowledge and experience of alcohol issues. For example, I find it appalling tha so many people are unaware that an alcohol dependent person is risking his or her life by stopping drinking suddenly without medical help. I think that the government is neglectful for not having made that message public knowledge. They never hesitate to tell all smokers that they are certain to die a horrible death (which many don't), hide cigarettes from display in shops, talk about putting them in plain packets (because all smokers clearly started smoking because of the pretty packets), exaggerate the risk of passive smoking (which, while horrible for non-smokers to have to put up with, nobody can name a person, except Roy Castle, who has ever actually died from second-hand smoke). Yet they can't get a simple message out there about the dangers of suddenly stopping drinking when alcohol dependent.

    I think if the media is looking for dramatic stories to sell publications, that is a different matter, but I am not sure that they are doing anything terrible, if they report stories responsibly and with a clear educational message to the public about the risks of drinking.

    You have a very sad story to tell, Hope and you ought to get it out there, yourself. Why don't you write it as a book (an eBook is very easy and cheap to self-publish, I wrote a novel a couple of years ago) and use any money you make from it for whatever cause you like?

     

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure PaulJTurner1964

      Posted

      Dar Paul,

      I agree whole heartily about your response. Sometimes it's not always for education it's for the attention and ratings. I looked up online several of these reporters radio and tv in the UK that approached me. Many are looking for success and a name for themselves. One was a contest for new tv hosts to find the most sensational story. OMG !

      I don't want anyone to think what I posted was an assumption. I looked up their backgrounds and found their usual methods of reporting sensational stories to bring attention to themselves. As well as their pics.

      Each one would leave their  ID, address and phone # . Made it easy to check on what type of reporters they were. Even the radio interviewer was looking for information for higher ratings. I think if they were serious about the subject they would do their homework and use the air time to educate what this disease is and how many can be helped thru medication. Not only that, also offer professionals like you a free spot to record a message to be played over and over at intervals on air to get the word out. Not find a excuse to cancel . If they were serious they would have rescheduled.

      But no one will do that as alcoholism is not accepted as a disease by society.....it is considered a weakness or a choice. As far as society is concerned... there are no runs or walks,or donations for rehab centers to make more money to help alcoholics.

      Opps.... sorry for the rant. As u know I only mean well and try to be honest and I felt it was necessary to clarify my post.

      UR the best help and most efficient, reasonable help for everyone who needs a way to find sobriety.

      I owe you a great deal.... for I read evey day your words of help , compassion, experience and advice. You give so many so much. I thank your evry day for being here to help those who need u so desperately.

      UR words are so powerful and full of HOPE!

      Many blessings sent sent your way to you and your family!

      see my Xmas card the online pic ....blow up if u can. 

      Mare-e-Xmas! 

      HOPE4CURE

    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 hope4cure

      Posted

      Yes, I agree with you about that particular type of reporter, Hope. The producer of the BBC Radio 5 Live show is keen to work with me on a story at some point in the near future, as well as re-schedule the Nalmefene one.

      Have a really great Christmas, Hope smile

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure PaulJTurner1964

      Posted

      U know I will support u 100% when this subject reaches the masses thru BBC. This is a disease. It's important to get the word out there and have qualified support with you and experienced patience . Many have tried in the past and because society does not have the acceptance level of other diseases this one is a challenge.

      Knowing UR background there isn't any challenge that u are not up for.

      be sure to PM Me when it all comes together.

      to a Great 20015!

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure

      Posted

      Dear Alan,   I do hope we can edit our posts soon!   confused

      That's a great 2015! cheesygrin

  • deirdre._03652
    deirdre._03652 hope4cure

    Posted

    Hi to both hope and Paul....

    I have to say that I agree with Paul here, I too was contacted to take part in the show which I think was a good idea.. I could give others hope that you can get through the horrors of alcoholism and come out the other side....I never ever forget those years of absolute, abject misery and the. Terrible feeling of fear, shame and most of all.....that dreadful all

    Consuming craving for a drink, I felt that I could literally rip my head off as it was so bad.... I tried Campral and it helped a little..

    Never give up ...... GIVING up.... kind regards to you both, take care of you and all around you..... Deirdre xx

    • vickylou
      vickylou deirdre._03652

      Posted

      My comments were based on unscrupulous people contacting members for their stories for some low grade magazine purely to make money. However I had no idea we were talking about the BBC making a documentary about nalmefene, a programme I was going to listen to. I'd never heard of the drug before I joined this forum, so there must be loads of drinkers who could be helped by it.

      the fact that many gps and some specialist  support workers don't know about it and how it works speaks volumes. I also get the concern that so many people are unaware of the dangers of just stopping alcohol suddenly and going cold turkey.

      i do apologise for getting the wrong end of the stick here and not looking at the bigger picture. There's two sides to every story.

    • PaulJTurner1964
      PaulJTurner1964 vickylou

      Posted

      Not at all Vickylou. I agree with your sentiments about cheap rags looking for stories, I was just pointing out where the media can be used postively smile
    • deirdre._03652
      deirdre._03652 vickylou

      Posted

      Hi vickylou, there is no need to apologize, you were defending people who have a drink problem... it really should be discussed a. Lot more, as most alcoholics ( including myself ) I felt very isolated and shameful, I was full of guilt, and a sense of absolute, and frightening hopelessness, I never ever thought that I would get. To the stage I am now, I had nobody to talk to... you are both.Right, stopping dead is highly dangerous and extremely and. Horrific.. I wish you both and all else of us on here... happy X

      Xmas and a happy and healthy new year.. with hopefully some.Peace of mind...God bless all. Deirdre xxx

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure deirdre._03652

      Posted

      I hope they get back with you because it's very important to get the word out.

      The reporters I was refering to were PMme just local reporters looking for a story. Not BBC. And each time I reported those who PM ME and they were booted off.

      SO sorry for the misunderstanding.

      HOPE4CURE

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure vickylou

      Posted

      I was PM just as u ws plainer. Reporters looking for a story. I reported them & they were booted off. I never mentioned the BBC.

      I apologize for the misunderstanding.

      HOPE4CURE

  • Emis_Moderator
    Emis_Moderator hope4cure

    Posted

    Hi all,

    If you receive any PM from any user that you think is suspect, advertising or from media then please use the "Report" link in the PM to let me know. The recent one from Radio 5 was approved by the site director. In cases like these where they have asked permission then the PM will come from user patient.info so any PM from other users have not been approved or sanctioned by us and if required should be reported. I do keep an eye out for "trollers" etc and ban them but rely on users letting me know of any inappropriate activity.

    I hope this helps but let me know if anyone has any queries.

    Regards,

    Alan

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure Emis_Moderator

      Posted

      That is a good point. As some have good intentions and approved by this site. That is not what I was refering too and sorry to cause any misunderstandings.

      I did report those that simply PM me looking for a story.

      You have been very helpful by kicking them out. I haven't recd many since.  Thank you Alan.

      Kind regards 

      HOPE4CURE

       

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.