Qadgop, could you please talk about exactly what happens with the physical part of alcohol addiction (in layman’s terms…so pinheads like myself can follow along)? I think people need to understand what is happening so they don’t make the mistake of trying to will themselves out of the DTs on their own. Thanks.
When I first read this thread, I asked Mr. SCL about it. He was a nurse at the local state mental hospital for years, and worked mostly with alcohol/drug addicts. He said people who came in who were physically addicted to alcohol were always medicated because a person can die from alcohol withdrawal. One of the statements I thought was so stunning was “people have the impression that heroin is such a bad drug, but heroin withdrawal won’t kill you - it just makes you wish you were dead. Alcohol withdrawal can kill, and it’s a legal substance.”
I guess I should have been more clear in the OP: I’ve only spoken to him directly for a couple of minutes over the past few weeks. I can’t confirm whether he’s been going to an actual AA meeting, or one of the other AA-type twelve step groups. I’ve been told by other people with more direct contact that this latest cycle got started when his folks sent him to some kind of group; I just haven’t heard which.
I’ve got no direct experience with any of the drug-Anonymous groups, though I do have some with CODA, who I consider a bunch of loons.
In our brief phone conversation, I got suspicious when he responed to a couple of my questions with catch phrases like “trading one drug for another drug” and needing to “hit rock bottom.” He never used to talk like this, even when he was on antabuse a few months ago.
I think what he really needs is a vacation at an honest-to-goodness rehab facility for a few weeks, but for some reason the people who should know better don’t seem to see anything wrong with this cycle of bouncing between AA (or whatever), DTs, relapse, and the hospital.
I would think the doctor who prescribed antabuse would see that he needs to be hospitalized. But maybe all this other bullshit input he’s getting is confusing him.
If you want to email me (it should be in my profile) I can give you the name & contact info of a great medical detox facility out here on the west coast…
I heartily recommend medically-supervised detox. When I got sober almost 15 years ago, they nearly always assisted your withdrawl with medication. As the hard-as-nails charge nurse always said, “Nobody is dying from DTs on my shift, or my unit.” As I recall I didn’t take anything, but I was probably the exception.
Sorry to hear about your experiences, MsRobyn. That’s a drag. I have been to hundreds (if not thousands) of meetings all over the world, and can count on one hand the shitty ones. What a rotten experience for you.
I just wanted to chime in and say that I have had an overwhelmingly positive experience with AA and NA. Both were just about the greatest people I have ever met, and the only people who have understood my particular issues. I am not currently attending meetings, but it’s good to know there’s a chair for me if I ever decide to go back.
I checked into a detox/rehab center when I finally hit my personal low. It was NOT affiliated with AA, but they held AA meetings in the place, and insisted we attend. I was given Valium when I checked in and kept on it for a few days. We had to attend classes on addiction and we had to sit through endless video tapes on the subject. After 21 days, I was discharged and encouraged to attend AA meetings, which I did for about a year. I found them to be very helpful in keeping me on the wagon. So, I credit AA for helping a lot, but I think the detox and rehab played the biggest part with me. I don’t think I would have ever gone to AA on my own; the rehab center was most responsible for that.
As to the OP, the guy needs medical attention and needs it now. While well-meaning, the people who say he doesn’t are way off track.
There’s a room.
Well said.