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Visit today to alcohol recovery centre

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RHGB
RHGB

Had my monthly visit to the key worker today.

Still had the same problem, prescriptions split in two, so I am expected to take a forward dated prescription, back there in mid month and just take two weeks now, which is a pain. I explained the situation to her, and seemed to take it on aboard and come up with a solution to stop this nonsense.

She tried the group therapy angle today and once again I politely turned it down. Although I am thinking of going just once, just to see what it is like. Not because I want the support or because I want to gawp at other people less fortunate than me - it was indicated to me today that I am the only person on Campral, no one else is abstaining. But because I want to understand the system and the thought process behind it and see first hand what it does for people and what they expect.

I wonder if anyone here has been to one of those groups, because I'd be interested in what to expect. She seemed to indicate to me that they were quite big into the cognitive therapy thing.

Lastly I did have to laugh. She started questioning me (my last key is on maternity leave, so this was a new one) in a way that led me to believe that I was leading the meeting, at which point I said, do you know anything about Campral, have you ever dealt with anyone on it before, no was the reply. Internally I was smiling to myself and shaking my head.

Don't get me wrong, they are nice enough people, they put me on Campral and they pretty much leave me alone except for my monthly visit and pick up the prescription. The only real niggle is this two week prescription thing.

0 likes, 42 replies

42 Replies

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  • vickylou
    vickylou RHGB

    Posted

    Hiya

    fire away and ask me anything you want. I went to group therapy once a week for 3 years. There was probably about 20 when I started going and when I left about 8 remained.

    i didn't want to go, I had no choice. I got caught drink driving the following morning after a party. I got a years ban, no fine , £50 court charges, attend a six week drink drivers course and attend group therapy.

    to be fair, it wasn't as bad as I thought. It was run by a brilliant CPN and a social worker who specialised in drug and alcohol abuse. The group was just for alcohol abuse.

    you got breathalised at the start of every session. and 90% of the time, someone would fail. Didn't bother me at all as it was during the four years when I had no alcohol at all.

    its probably my warped sense of humour, but I was fascinated by the excuses people made trying to explain why they'd failed. Any trace, no matter how low meant they couldn't attend that week, but could come back the following week.

    we seem to have a few things in common like campral, none of the other members had heard of it, not surprising as I was, again like you, the only one not drinking.

    after the breathalising and we'd all got tea or coffee, we'd sit down in a big circle then came your favourite bit, THE DREADED WEEKLY DRINK DIARIES!! Sometimes this could take up to an hour, but was totally irrelevant to me.

    the next stage was always to ask everyone in turn to think of something we'd enjoyed doing during the week which didn't involve alcohol. Some would say the classic one liner "nowt, cause I don't do owt if I can't drink" or sometimes someone might say "nowt, cos wif me tag I can't do nothing ( double negative which always irritates me!)

    Anyone could raise any issues or problems they had, which could make them drink more. The topics were so varied, which is natural because what worries and upsets some isn't an issue for others.

    i can't remember how it started, but somehow I got involved in helping one of the members write a detailed and forceful letter to his landlord, who within a week of sending the letter, had done what he should have done months ago.

    After that, I got asked several times to help people write letters, fill in forms and even the odd phone call on their behalf.

    oh,before I finish, it was quite common for the police to be called out when the fighting started. There was always at least two emergency buttons in the room, which once activated were linked straight to the nearest patrol car.

    finally, as I said, I had no option I had to go. I was really nervous for the first couple of weeks, after that it was fine. Would I go if in your shoes with you not drinking? yes, for exactly the same reasons as you.

    i had eight sessions of CBT which finished just before Christmas last year, but I'll do a separate reply about that.

    • RHGB
      RHGB vickylou

      Posted

      I think that's made my mind up, even if it is just one session, for the experience.

      I'll have to be carefull as I have a dry sense of humour, which isn't to be to everybody's taste. I'm the sort that could say, just as we're finishing up, right everyone, who's going down the Red Lion for one, we've got 30 minutes before closing, we can get four or five down if we hurry, first shout is on me.

      At this point I would avoid eye contact with the person/people hosting the meeting, knowing full well that they would be looking directly at me, for some sign of a smile that I was joking. Then I would pretend to be oblivious to this and pull out my wallet and thumb through it, as if to show I was checking that I had enough cash on me.

      No, I wouldn't do it, because of the trouble it would cause, not for me, but within the group, but it won't stop me imagining doing it, whilst I'm sat there.  I was born bad.

    • Sober_As
      Sober_As RHGB

      Posted

      Ha, ha, ha !  I think your imagination and visualisation will get you through the session, no problem.

      Maybe bite your tongue when the "bad" wants a say !!

      Alonangel 😀😄😆

    • Misssy2
      Misssy2 RHGB

      Posted

      I think if you look at this in a different way...look at it like YOU will be the one teaching them something in the group.  Challenge...thoughts and comments...like you do here and i think it will end up being fun for you!
    • Misssy2
      Misssy2

      Posted

      Actually that is the approach I took in AA...(being the different one, the outcast) and when I was acting as my true self...throwing out the ideas that I thought some of the stuff was bogus...or someone wasn't being honest....those seemed to be the times...that maybe I learned the most about myself and this condition.
  • RHGB
    RHGB

    Posted

    One of the many other things that I discussed today (I was there for over an hour) was the amount of women that go through the door (at the recovery centre). I was told that there are at LEAST as many women seeking help as there are men, in what was traditionally a male problem.

    I said that yes, that was my experience, that on a fourm (this one) I read, I noticed that there seems to be more women than men and that I had expected it to be mostly males with the odd female. And I know women want equality, but I always thought that there might be some aspects of it that they would want to leave for the men, like alcohol issues.

    She said that she believed it was down to equality, women doing their own thing and having their own money compared to the last 50 years. I disagreed, I said that it is because they have moved into the male environment, they are suffering all the same issues, such as stress, being time poor, exhaustion etc. and that for the same reason that men had sought solace in a bottle, women now found themselves in the same circumstances reaching for the same solution.

    • vickylou
      vickylou RHGB

      Posted

      I agree, at least as far as I'm concerned, with your interpretation on women drinking.

      I got married in 1980  and had my first son in 1984. I worked as a PA to a Finane Director full time. I left to have my son and had no intention of going back to work. I wanted to be at home with him, not handing him over to a nursery at 7.30am. In those days job share hadn't really taken off so whilst they couldn't fill your job immediately, you either went back to the same hours or you left. I didn't drive and would have to have left home at 6am

      computers were around, but these forums didn't exist. It wasn't really that common, for a woman to do the same job as a bloke, at least not in the finance sector. Women didn't have targets to meet, breakfast meetings. I could go on forever. 

    • Sober_As
      Sober_As RHGB

      Posted

      I agree with you RHGB.  Stress, exhaustion etc. nearly killed me.  My health broke down. Mentally and physically.   I have had the alcohol problem for 30 years +.  I tried to be some sort of superwoman.  Alcohol became my escape from the treadmill of my life.

      Retrospect is a tough teacher.

      We live and learn... but not always at the right time.

      Alonangel 🎇

    • nicole36330
      nicole36330 RHGB

      Posted

      I don't think we can know the true figures because I believe more women seek help from their doctors and use forums like this for help.
    • Sober_As
      Sober_As nicole36330

      Posted

      Very true, Nicole.  I am one of those women.  'Still trying to keep the mega problem hidden.  When I was working, every woman I knew, was taking anti- depressants and drinking wine at home...every night.  

      So, "safety in numbers" is WRONG !

      Alonangel 🎇

  • vickylou
    vickylou RHGB

    Posted

    The two week prescription thing would really irritate me, not just the financial aspect, but the waste of time. You've no sooner got it before thinking about the next one
  • deirdre._03652
    deirdre._03652 RHGB

    Posted

    Hi..I was sectioned four times....after a week or so it was okay....I could not escape because I was watched and searched constantly....on my first section ...they kindly let me pop to the shop for some cigs....I went back....and I was happily unaware ..while I was sitting on the wall ...SWIGGING HALF A BOTTLE OF VODKA....AND THE USUAL..HIDIng it in a coke bottle ) I WAS CAUGHT ON CAMERA THE WHOLE TIME...

    So..no more freedom after that.....and all of my visitors were searched....what fun...but it was okay..I got a good rest...and made some good friends..I still see 14 yrs later....hugs to you all ....lovely people..xxxx

    • Sober_As
      Sober_As deirdre._03652

      Posted

      Hello Deirdre,

      You have been through a heck of a lot.  I am so glad to know that you made it.  Are you sober, now? Did you try controlled drinking... with medication?

      All the best to you,

      Alonangel 🎇

    • deirdre._03652
      deirdre._03652 Sober_As

      Posted

      Hi alonangel..what a beautiful name

      Yes...I did try campral...but it was not much help to me really..

      I stopped after the fourth section....because six weeks alcohol free.....was actually wonderful...

      After ten yrs of drinking all day..and night.....the vomiting the terrible dreaded shakes....the awful shame and depression..and the worst part my four children..my hubby....my identical twin...and my wonderful big brother...were all terrified every day...that they would find me dead...I weighed 5st 10lbs....and I could barely function...

      But six weeks later....I had my life back....I gained weight...all of my organs recovered...( apart from the brain shrinking ) I had energy ...I actually liked myself again...and mostly ..my family were happy once more.....I could not lose that again....I had a few slips along the way....but nothing too bad....and I had soooo much support from my lovely CPN....life is good now....I could never...go back to that again....please God.....I wish you all good health...happiness and mostly.....peace of mind....big. big hugs to you all xxxxxx

    • Sober_As
      Sober_As deirdre._03652

      Posted

      Thanks, Deirdre.  Campral did not work for me, in the past.  Just now... 4 weeks in, I am taking Selincro/Nalmefene, to try tapering down my alcohol intake.  It is a heck of a struggle. I take strength from the wonderful support on this Forum.

      I can't do "face to face".

      I can't even use my real name, here.

      'Bet you guessed I wasn't really an angel !!!  

      Take care, new friend.

      Alonangel xx 🎇

    • deirdre._03652
      deirdre._03652 Sober_As

      Posted

      I wish you all of the luck in the world....you will do it..

      But never...ever...ever beat yourself up if you have a slip.....just pick yourself up...and carry on....I very rarely think of alcohol now....whereas before every time I passed a pub....I wanted to cry..

      You certainly will beat it...you deserve to..and you are worth every single ounce of support you get.....

      Never give up.......GIVING UP....much love....prayers....and big warm hugs to YOU LOVELY lady xxxxxxxxxx

    • vickylou
      vickylou deirdre._03652

      Posted

      Deirdre  if you don't mind me asking, how old were you when you first started drinking and what would have been a normal day for you? Did something happen to make you stop and what happened in six weeks to make you fee so much better.

      i understand if you don't want to answer xx

    • deirdre._03652
      deirdre._03652 vickylou

      Posted

      Hi ...I was 40 yrs old....I began because I was bullied at work....I would drink nearly a full large bottle of vodka everyday....or half a large carton of wine....at the end I was drinking WHITE ACE CIDER 24 HOURS A DAY....it very nearly killed me...I could not stAnd I was so weak....I was like that for ten long years....sheer hell...

      I thank god everyday that I got past that...awful..horrendous..dreadful...guilt ridden time of total...total SADNESS......

    • vickylou
      vickylou deirdre._03652

      Posted

      Deirdre how good of you to answer me so movingly and honestly.

      I can certainly relate to the bullying. I was bullied at school because I was adopted, but obviously I was much younger.

      thanks so much for saying that, it's given me food for thought and I appreciate how hard it must have been to share that on an open forum, but you've actually answered some weird thoughts I've had.

    • vickylou
      vickylou deirdre._03652

      Posted

      That brings back a few memories of vodka in a plastic water bottle, the perfect cover up, no evidence, well apart from the vodka itself lol!
    • Sober_As
      Sober_As vickylou

      Posted

      Hi again Vickylou.  I probably shouldn't share this... but... I did the vodka in the plastic water- bottle thing.  It was mixed with water.  I called it WATKA !

      Oh dear.  Sad days, indeed.

      Alonangel 🎇

    • vickylou
      vickylou Sober_As

      Posted

      At least you had water with it, mine was neat. Was 20 years ago. Couldn't do it now even if I wanted to!
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