I can't believe I just read what you all wrote. People trying to get help and being refused or made to wait. That is just plain crazy. I have never heard of such a thing. It seems to me that the addictions are a result of self medicating due to illness. Therefore it would make sense to treat the illness first. I would get second and third opinions. What happens if during your 6 month to a year wait you become manic or or so depressed that you do harm to yourself or another? They are making you give up your ways to self medicate and not replacing it with something that will work better. I understand a doctors need to see you sober in order to make a true diagnosis, but 6 months is a long time. Plus your history alone would indicate that you have bi polar.

I know locally we have a hospital that will treat you for both addiction and mental illness together. I know I self medicated for a long time. If my doctor had made me wait until I was sober for 6 months to a year before being treated, I do not think I would have made it.

Do what you can to get treated now. Use this web site as much as you need. Stay safe. Keep us updated. I can't believe your doctor would go away for a month and not leave a qualified person for you to see during his absence. What if you had pneumonia? Would they make you wait for your doctor to return before getting treated?

You all really got me going on this one.