[tempest81]

Has anyone ever gone into a session intoxicated unintentionally? If so what was your t's reaction? Did they even notice and if so did they mention it? Or did they tell you to leave and come back again when sober.

[struggling2]

i have not done that but have totally contemplated doing it intentionally when i needed to get some hard stuff out there. i wasnt going to be drunk just have a drink or two to loosen up. decided it wasnt the best idea.

[stopdog]

I did one time. It was unintentional. I had gone to lunch with a friend and we had a couple of drinks. I do not usually eat before an appointment because I usually throw up before going to see the therapist. I was buzzed. The therapist was all excited because I was smiling and she thought I was happy to see her. I was sort of horrified because I think it is very dangerous to interact with them in an impaired state.

[mixedup_emotions]

I have not done that...but I have gone into sessions where I've intentionally medicated in order to reduce anxiety, etc. - which my T absolutely hates. He says that it doesn't allow for feelings to surface, and encourages numbness - which is against what we are trying to do in therapy.

Never done that, nope.... I agree with stopdog "dangerous to interact with them in an impaired state" it sure would be for me. I don't even want to think about what might come out of my mouth while intoxicated....!! Interesting question though.

[tkdgirl]

It does sound rather risky and dangerous as others have mentioned. I guess the level of intoxication may be a factor, different people handle substances differently. I also wonder how much one would actually get out of this type of session.

[Towanda]

Earlier in therapy when I was feeling very rebellious, I did contemplate going to session either drunk or high (this was before I was sober) just for the h*** of it. But I decided that would be a really stupid and childish thing to do, so I never did.

But the way I'm feeling lately, with life kicking me repeatedly in the butt, I would love to rethink this just to get T's reaction. But I won't - I'm beyond that type of behavior. Worth fantasizing about on a really bad day though

bad idea......its hard to filter via emial and text sober, id be a blubbering hot drunkin mess.

[WePow]

blushes and raises hand.... I did once... I did not go drunk but was dissociating and did not stop my alter who went into the bathroom half way through session and drank one of my minis I keep on me. Yes, alchoholic - recovered. I don't think my T noticed. LOL.

I went to session one time drunk but it was on purpose. I wanted the challenge to see if I can get by without T knowing. She never said anything so I guess I won. However- I would never do it again and realize that was not a smart thing to do.

[stopdog]

The one I have seen has told me to go have a drink before coming in. I think she thinks I might be easier to deal with after a drink.

[velcro003]

No-but i did call and leave a VM on my T's phone while on ambien. I ran out of room on the msg, so had to call again ti finish. I woke up the next day HORRIFIED!! I didnt remember much of what i said and was so scared to go to therapy the next week. She never me tioned it-thank god.

Originally Posted by velcro003

No-but i did call and leave a VM on my T's phone while on ambien. I ran out of room on the msg, so had to call again ti finish. I woke up the next day HORRIFIED!! I didnt remember much of what i said and was so scared to go to therapy the next week. She never me tioned it-thank god.

velcro, I had a client do that, and she ran out of room on the machine not once, but THREE times. At our next meeting, I was like, "um, no offense, but do you have a therapist? Those messages are probably better left for him or her and not your attorney." I bet therapists get a fair number of those kind of messages.

I do wonder what therapists are thinking if clients show up intoxicated. I could probably tell mine a lot more if I was drinking. I know I have the impulse to tell him things by text or email when I've been drinking. I usually text a friend instead. She might get sick of it if she actually checked her phone more often. hahahahahaha

[taylor43]

Yes in the past i did and they knew. All it did for me was stop the healing process and ruined the theraputic relationship.

Now that im with different t's i go sober, it is very hard at times. I sometimes ask husband to bring home beer to unwind and relax. That is after the sessions.

[tempest81]

Thank you for your responses. I did go in once a little drunk and it left me in a jubilant mood, I recall smiling for most of the session which is a rarity but like most of you said it isn't a good idea as it does hinder the process.
I am contemplating going in quite drunk to the next session as I find have no problem talking in that state.
I find it quite difficult talking as a majority of the time I am overtaken by shame and once that kicks in I can no longer say what I want, I end up stuttering, when my t senses this he changes the subject and takes a lighter route, which at times I find annoying, I often leave disappointed with myself.

[mcl6136]

Originally Posted by WePow

blushes and raises hand.... I did once... I did not go drunk but was dissociating and did not stop my alter who went into the bathroom half way through session and drank one of my minis I keep on me. Yes, alchoholic - recovered. I don't think my T noticed. LOL.

blushes and raises hand. I did once, too. Only I took a Xanax, not drinking. I don't take any drugs and this was a "borrowed" pill from a friend. The session was a waste of time, and I never did it again.

I'm glad I ran the experiment, actually.

[Dreamy01]

I think it's part of my T's policy that a client does not turn up under the influence of drink or drugs. I think if they did she would call off the session. Maybe if they were slightly drunk so not enough to be obvious it would be okay but I've never considered doing it. I don't drink much now anyway so wouldn't be a problem. I have to admit sometimes I do think it would help loosen me up there though.

[carla.cdt]

Never did, thought about it though... I saw a few time taxi beeing called for a client in a DBT group class, which has a no drug/alcool policy...

[stopdog]

The one I see, after I expressed surprise that someone would be so unguarded as to come in under some influence, told me people did it all the time. She did mutter something about me needing to be way too much in control that it would probably not be something I would do.

[jaxter23]

I went once after having a couple drinks at dinner. I can handle my alcohol pretty well so I was buzzed, but not drunk. T didn't have a clue. I was just more talkative than normal and she liked it.

[Bella01]

I went in the next day and T knew I had been drinking the night before. So I would never go in drunk because t would most likely sent me home or call the cops for driving there.

I've talked to him on the phone when I took too many drugs and he knew and I was put in the hospital.

[stopdog]

I had a client in trial a long time ago who came back from lunch so drunk he kept sliding out of the witness chair. We had started his testimony before the lunch break and the judge would not give me any continuance time to sober him up. He just kept sort of slithering to the floor.
I don't think I won that case.

[tempest81]

Originally Posted by stopdog

I had a client in trial a long time ago who came back from lunch so drunk he kept sliding out of the witness chair. We had started his testimony before the lunch break and the judge would not give me any continuance time to sober him up. He just kept sort of slithering to the floor.
I don't think I won that case.

I'm sorry I can not help but laugh at this, it's quite comical.

I was thinking that I usually have a couple of cigarettes before I go into a session to help calm me, is it really any different to that?

[bluemountains]

While it would be tempting, I wouldn't take a chance on drinking and driving. My family of alcoholics has had too many wrecks while drinking, so I have good examples of what not to do. Also, I took too many chances with this behavior when younger, so I don't think fate will be kind to me anymore.
I wonder if t would suspect anything if I called a taxi???
Bluemountains

Please explain "unintentional" intoxication ...

How does that happen? ...

Serious question here, not trying to be a donkey ...

Thank you.