Resedential Detox ....

[Krakers]

Hi all - I saw my doc yesterday and he asked me if he could refer me for a resedential detox. ie I admit myself, and stop everything under supervision. The prescription meds and the alcohol.

While I agreed to it at the time, its actually got me quite scared, and as a result I got very little sleep last night. Has anyone else been through this ?? If so, is it as scary as I'm letting myself believe ?

Its all well and good for Robbie, Kate Moss and the like to check into the Priory, but I've got this vision that it'd be like checking myself into the looney bin.

Also, what if I get bad rebound anxiety as a result and they won't prescribe? I'm worried that while its voluntary, I could lose it completely and then they could make me stay.

I've been referred to the top specialist in my area, and its been made clear I'm a high priority. While all this happened only yesterday, I've been about as fretful as you can get. Not the best state to be in with anxiety.

Anyone at all been here ?

Just the thought of leaving my daughter and other half for any length of time has me considering not doing this. I don't often ask help of others, but my heads up my bum crack at the moment. *ANY* feedback would be welcome.

Krakers.

[SpaceCadet]

**squeezes you**

I've got no brilliant advice but it sounds like the ideal route to go

I think your are ultra brave chap!

Lucy x

*You know where I am,if you need to vent/rant

[Alabasterlyn]

Hi Krakers, well I can understand you feeling worried, I know I would worry too. I think some of the outcome of going into a Residential Detox would be dependant on what meds you are taking and what amount. From what I understand about Detoxing from prescription meds is that some meds need a longer period of withdrawal than others, which is why allegedly it's easier to come off Heroin than benzos.

I'm sure these places are not like loonie bins though as they are bound to have other people there that have exactly the same kinds of problems that you have. I would love to have the opportunity to go into a Residential Detox place to come off my benzos but apparently the tapering process is too slow to make it a financial viability on the NHS.

Good luck and I hope it goes well for you :hugs:

[bottleblond]

Hi Krackers,

WELL DONE!! i bet your wife and daughter are so proud of you for make that move,

Love Lisa
xxxx

[jo61]

HI Krakers, I've no experience but have attended a Priory hospital for therapy and got chatting to some of those on the detox programme. NHS or private, it is a carefully managed process and medication is used as part of the treatment. You won't be just stripped of all meds. Benzos are often used for short term treatment to manage the withdrawal. You'll be seen regularly by medical and nursing staff and this is done alongside therapy.

If you have a problem with alcohol and/or can't get off prescription drugs it sounds like the way to go. Good luck and let us know how you go.

[Krakers]

Thanks all for your kind replies.

AlerbasterLyn : I've been on benzos since Feb. This will be on the NHS, and to be honest I don't mind trying cold turkey on them. I'm just worried I might flip and be "detained". I'm happy with the idea of voluntary, but if the ability to discharge myself is removed, then the word "flip" is probably exceptionally polite to how I'd react. Also I belive the recovery from Heroin is around 1%, and I know its a damn sight higher for coming of Benzos - theres always a way.

Jo61 : I'll be withdrawing from Benzos too (Librium), and even though my doc said I needed this I was suprised that he also prescribed Diazepam for the first time (another benzo) in addition to my current prescription. While he did explain they were to help stop me drinking early in the day, it seems strange to detox by adding more.

SpaceCadet - you've always been a good friend and your support is much appreciated as is bottleblonds.

Krakers.

[Alabasterlyn]

Thanks all for your kind replies.

AlerbasterLyn : I've been on benzos since Feb. This will be on the NHS, and to be honest I don't mind trying cold turkey on them. I'm just worried I might flip and be "detained". I'm happy with the idea of voluntary, but if the ability to discharge myself is removed, then the word "flip" is probably exceptionally polite to how I'd react. Also I belive the recovery from Heroin is around 1%, and I know its a damn sight higher for coming of Benzos - theres always a way.

Jo61 : I'll be withdrawing from Benzos too (Librium), and even though my doc said I needed this I was suprised that he also prescribed Diazepam for the first time (another benzo) in addition to my current prescription. While he did explain they were to help stop me drinking early in the day, it seems strange to detox by adding more.

Krakers.

I had no idea there were any places within the NHS where you could detox from benzos. I only saw my GP last week and he never even mentioned it to me when I asked about coming off my benzos. Like you I take Librium and have done for over 20yrs. What doseage are you on Krakers? My GP wants me to do a crossover to Diazepam if I do decide to taper off as apparently Diazepam has a longer half life than Librium, so maybe that's one of the reasons they have added Diazepam to your current meds?

I also had no idea the recovery rate from heroin is as low as 1%. Once again my GP did explain to me why in his opinion it's harder to come off benzos and it was all about heroin addicts changing their lifestyles when they come off heroin, so it somehow makes it easier, whereas with people who are addicted to benzos they don't need to change their lifestyle as it's the meds that are causing the problem. Not sure if that makes any sense :blush:

[kazzie]

Hi Krakers:D

A few years agi I was a mess

I was admitted to the local psyc hospital on a voluntary basis

Hooked on booze, i had starved myself for 6 weeks and was trying to come off a well known anti d (not putting the name dont want to scare peeps)

Anyhow to cut a long story short I was home within days and Im ok now!!!

Best of luck

Luv Kaz x x x:hugs:

[Krakers]

Once again, thankyou for your replies.

AlabasterLyn - my current partner I've been with for 8 years. My previous one I was with for 7. She recovered from Heroin (she was already recovered when I met her) and thats where my info comes from.

My librium dose is 20mg per day, reduced myself from 40mg. At one point they wanted to up it to 50mg, but I refused.

As for Diazepam, my doc knows I've bought it illegally previously, and he's about the nicest guy you could meet. Diazepam I think is class A, and I believe he's prescribed it to keep me from getting in trouble as well as the fact it helps when nothing else does (without reaching for the bottle). Not saying I've exerted any pressure, only that I've been honest with him since day 1 - being honest with your doc I think is the first step to starting down the road to recovery.

BTW - I think I'm being admitted for alcohol recovery, not benzos, but the 2 interact and they have to take that into consideration.

Kazzie - your post has been quite uplifting. Please tell me more. I'm not asking for details about yourself, that wouldn't be fair. I'm only looking for reassurance - I've seen "one flew over the cookoos nest" and I can't get that mental imigary out of my head.

Krakers.

PS - so I don't have to edit this later, sorry for my poor spelling !

[Krakers]

Kazzie - just for info, I've probably eaten 2000 calories this week. I think thats meant to be my daily intake.

How did you overcome it ? I've lost 2 1/2 stone in the last year, but I'm still well within my target weight. I just can't eat when the anxiety kicks in. Any tips would be useful.

(a somewhat slimmer) Krakers.

[Krakers]

Hi all - I got a booklet from the Community Legal Service yesterday. Now I'm even more scared. I'd love to post a link to it but can't find one - its "CLS direct information leaflet 22".

From reading it I can be detained for a min of 72 hours even if I admit myself and want to leave. This could run for a lot longer if 2 docs and a mental nurse agree. Part of my original agreement was that I could walk out at any time, but this doesn't seem to be true. My other half said it should put my mind at rest - thats far from the case.

I'm now desperate to hear from anyone who has either done this or has knowledge of it.

Krakers.

[Nel]

Krakers I have PM'd you hun xxx

[blackie]

Hiya Krakers.

Your attatude is really great. There is always a way to come off these things if you are determined. I have been amitted into two different redidential units. Obviously everyone is different but they tend to have the same layout.
Its not like a hospital and it certainly isnt like in 2one flew over the cookoos nest. The rooms are just like normal rooms that you get in your own house only with more safty stuff like fire alarms and fire doors. The people all tend to be really nice as they are going through something of there own so are understanding. When i was there we use to have alot of fun and do normal things like shopping on the weekends.
It is hard though but well worth the effert. Its great being around people so if you feel bad you can go shoot some pool with another person or talk to a staff member.
I really hope it works for you hun. Let us know how it goes.
Oh and with the weight stuff, have you tried drinks like ensure. They are nutricinal milkshakes which have all the stuff you need in them if you are finding it hard to eat.
Take care
Blackie

[pigspeed]

Mr Dr asked me to go into detox about 8 years ago and I said no as like you I was worried I would go crazy - he said at the time it was an ok place to freak out! I didn't go and stopped drinking and two years later started again and again it was recommended that I go to residential rehab. I didn't opting for a full time day programme but looking back I think I made life really difficult for myself and I'm not afraid to say they were right about residential and I was wrong. That said although at times it was hard and I did and have relapsed a few times since it has really helped me start on the slow journey to getting better. I was alcohol and valium depended and today I'm not and I'm very grateful for rehab because I couldn't do it on my own.

Huge luck, I always feel that as long as I keep trying that's all I can ask of myself.:hugs:

[Krakers]

Hi all - thankyou for your replies.

I've decided that before I do anything that I want to look at where they want me to go. I'll make a decision after that, thats if they allow it.

So far I haven't heard from the head Psychiatrist guy, but I do have an appointment wit the ADS tomorrow at 2.30pm. And heres me drinking vodka at 3am - hmmmmmmmm.

I know theres a problem, but theres no way I'm risking getting sectioned. Thats exactly whats likely to happen if they tell me I can't leave. I'm not aggressive nor violent, but as fellow anxiety sufferers will know the lack of control over your personal circumstance can send you into a spin.

While I am absolutely no danger to myself or others now, if they refuse to discharge me then that (the latter) could change in an instant.

I'm adopting the approach better safe than sorry.

Krakers.

[kazzie]

Hi Krackers

The place I was in was a mix of voluntry and sectioned patients

It was very nice a bit like a cross between a hospital and a hotel!!!

They did make me eat and monitored all food and drink I consumed

I was free to leave whenever I wished and often popped outside for some fresh air!!!

If you find eating hard try complan its full of vitamins and the strawberry one is good!!!

Best of luck

Luv Kaz x x x:hugs: