[Salmacis]

Thinking about going to rehab for alcoholism. Went to my physical Dr. yesterday & was told I'll be dead within a year if I don't seek help ASAP. Organs failing, blood poisoning, etc...

Both Dr. & T have told me that they can't give me any drugs for my mental issues or properly assess my issues w/out me quitting alcohol. :-/

So... Has anyone here been through "voluntary" rehab? I'm not sure what I'm in for.

Thanks,

Salmacis

[madisgram]

i found rehab did help open the door to sobriety. i particularly benefitted learning i had a disease- alcoholism. once out i went to AA regularly, still do 21 yrs later. not a cult. just helpful not just about staying away from a drink but how to LIVE. with your serious health issues it may give you a jump start to getting healthier. sounds like alcohol is winning the boxing fight. don't let it. it kills more people than those who live and get sober. willingness to stay sober is the key.

[splitimage]

I've been in rehab multiple times both inpatient and outpatient. I think rehab is really helpful, as it gives you information about the diseases, tools to fight urges to drink, and tools to fight relapses, plus it gives you some time to get an initial bought of sobriety.

I did a residential program first, and the good thing about that was I was completely cut off from alcohol so I couldn't drink. Unfortunately the rehab otherwise wasn't a good fit for me so I didn't benefit from it as fully as I should have.

I've subsequently done outpatient rehab through a hospital, 10 weeks - 5 half days a week. I liked the outpatient rehab better because I was still living my life in the afternoon and evenings and had to learn to cope without drinking. But I was able to do it with the daily support.

I like madisgram would also highly reccomend AA either beofre and most definitely after rehab. It's all about learning how to live a good life without alcohol.

Also did your Dr. talk to you about detoxing. From what you've described of your conditions sounds like you've been drinking pretty heavily for a long time. Detoxing from alcohol can be dangerous. I've had withdrawal seizures. You should talk to your Dr. about a medical detox.

splitimage

[Willcat]

I went through rehab as my start for a drug/alcohol free life. There I learned about 'recovery tools' as a way to maintain my sobriety.

I use SMART Recovery principles among other healthy things as a way to continue living drug free.

I hope you go into rehab and make sober living work for you.

[Salmacis]

Thanks so much for the replies! I'm currently looking at an outpatient program that offers detox medication. My Dr. recommended them personally, so I guess I'll give them a try. I'm certain I'll need the drug therapy because I go into withdrawal in less than 24 hours.

I truly hope they have some damn good tools to share or I'm back to square one (again). Did the AA thing a few years ago... lasted almost 2 weeks.

[madisgram]

double dipping, sal. i went to intensive outpatient for alcoholism. 6 months, 9-3. it strengthened my resolve to stay sober in addition AA. the focus for you right now may be accepting you are an alcoholic and having the willingness to change. we can get into recovery but the daily footwork and desire to stay sober comes first.
many ppl die of this disease. that's real. alcohol promises us everything but instead takes our souls. i hope you will fight for your life. you deserve that as we all do.