Got An Addiction Problem? Get Some Help! Lol!

[nailedit]

Tried since Feb,
Numerous unreturned phone calls to begin with.
Phone call to arrange an appointment.
Never happened!
Following week, apologies. Went to wrong address????
Next week given a different support worker.
asked to go on a 4 week course...
Turned up for course to be told that it was cancelled that week
Turned up the following week to be told that I couldnt do
the course because I had 'markers' against my name.
Also I was given a new support worker who told me that he would ring me in a couple of days.
Never heard from him since.
Eventually allowed on the course and it was agreed that I needed a
medical detox and I would hear from detox unit in a few days.
That was 7 weeks ago.
Meantime I was given a yet another support worker who was suppossed to have rang me
3 weeks ago. The next day she texted to say that she was on anual leave and would contact me 2 weeks ago.
Informed last week that I now have a different support worker who would also ring me last week.

Bit crap when you are trying to help yourself.

[nailedit]

Mental health and addiction services arnt fit for purpose.
Welcome to the private sector of the NHS...

[nicebloke1]

On the upside, nothing wrong with your memory.

[nailedit]

Lankeela,
Spent MONTHS tying to access services.
I accept that I'm now going to die an alcoholic.
Sometimes functioning, sometimes not.

[nailedit]

//On the upside, nothing wrong with your memory//

When I was younger, I was really into memory techniques.
(how to remember a shuffled pack of cards etc)
It has a knock on effect....

[nailedit]

And I keep diary's ....

[anneasquith]

“ had markers against my name ‘ . What does that mean ?

[nailedit]

CDAS
(Community Drug and Alcohol Services)
Are the 'go to' services here in Stoke.
A private firm giving zero services.

Gone to my GP only to be sent back to
a private company who has no interest in your health.

[nailedit]

//had markers against my name ‘ . What does that mean ? //
It means that I had previous for violent offences when drunk.

I turned up sober and withdrawing.
Just wanted to get better.

[anneasquith]

That’s the issue N. No service will engage with you when you are drunk, aggressive, or violent .

[nailedit]

Anne,
I turned up SOBER.
Not aggressive, drunk or violent.

[Barsel]

I think it's common knowledge that the NHS and the mental health service are in dire straits.
Write to the Health Secretary.
You'll be wasting your time, but it will give you something to do.

[anneasquith]

Indeed, they are in dire straights, but they require service users to work with them and prove they wish to get sober .

[nicebloke1]

There are millions more people that have drinking problems, now more than ever, plus drugs you cant really blame the NHS because they cant cope. Its got to impossible numbers.

[nicebloke1]

The ads you see on tv is no more than the government painting a pretty picture, a bit like the cancer care ads, just BS.

[nailedit]

//Indeed, they are in dire straights, but they require service users to work with them and prove they wish to get sober//

Am I not doing just that?
If they don't return my phone calls what am I doing wrong?
If they keep giving me different support workers who I never hear from, what am I doing wrong?
If they promise to ring me on a certain day and dont, but TEXT me instead days later, telling me that they are on leave for a week but will be in touch a week later and 3 weeks later hear that you are given yet another worker (who you have never yet heard from).
If you are told that you are on a 3 month waiting list for a medical detox and will recieve a call from the detox unit for a blood test and questionaire in a couple of days and 2 month later find out that no one knows about it????

[jourdain2]

I think that nailedit needs and likes honesty - as if we were in the same room.
I don't know that we can help all that much nailedit, except for you knowing that so many of us think you are a decent person, struggling against an addiction and that we want you to succeed. You could be a very valuable member of society and help others.
I also think, sadly, that the NHS services are not going to be of much help. This slings it back fair and square into your lap. (NO, it's not right, but it is what we have to live with.)
Grit your teeth, nailedit, we believe you can do it. We are all strangers - but on your side. Start cutting down on your own.
I think I wrote about when I wrote post-cards, each with a good reason for giving up smoking, and stuck them all over the house so I always had a good reason for giving-up to help me.
Yes, the NHS has let you down - so just show them that you can do it - and reconsider the AA (sandyRoe confirmed that they will not shove religion at you). Wishing you very well. :)