Mental Health Help

[BobOfRoth 0]

My kids say I need some help but my GP says me i should be medicated. The medication helps a bit but im drinking heavily and cant see a way out. My gp tells me there are online resources but when Ive registered with them I hear nothing. IAPTS is useless. I worry for the future. Can anyone help?

[Runningman 142]

Try an exercise routine, that is running, swimming or may be join a gym.

A well known fact that the stimulation from a work out can help someone with a mental problem.

[pattricia 574]

You need further professional help. You should not be mixing alcohol with prescription drugs. Go back to your GP and tell him this.

[zach 234]

Booze gives you a false break from the symptoms but ecsalates them when it wears off...the vicious circle begins.

 

IAPTS doesn't work for everyone but seems to be the go to answer for most GPs. GPs are also very reluctant to give you ANY addictive medication. In my opinion the entire system with regards to mental health is far to slow. There also isn't a one answer fits all for it, people are all different.

 

I agree with Runningman but the problem there is, a lot of people with mental health issues can have trouble finding the motivation to get out of bed, let alone go out for a run or even a walk. Unfortunately,  it's another destructive side of mental health illness.

 

Try and do it bit by bit. Start by cutting down the alcohol, Talk to your GP again about other options and/or medication. If you don't feel your GP is doing all they can, try talking to another GP. A different GP may know of a better way to help you.

[Lex Luthor 10]

Bob, you're a star for reaching out and asking for help.  I'm sorry to hear things are not going well.

 

Have you tried 'mindfulness'?  There are loads of free resources and courses online.  I find it very helpful.

 

I'm currently reading an ace book with a CD.  I'll get the title for you when I'm back home, it's life-changing.

 

Local libraries should have loads of resources in mindfulness and other self-help books.

 

If you can download the free app, 'Let's meditate' that's also brilliant.

 

You can phone the Samaritans at any time and they should be able to tell you about help and resources available to you.

 

I would also get in touch with Mind, to see what they can offer you.  Sometimes they run local self-help groups, and search online for local groups that help people with alcohol dependency.

 

But, most of all, keep reaching out to others and keep talking .

 

Another thing is to think about volunteering somewhere, even just for a couple of hours a week.  It will raise your confidence and self-esteem and sometimes it helps us get our problems in a clearer perspective when we see what others have to cope with day to day.  It's also a great way to meet some really lovely people.

Edited February 13, 2020 by Lex Luthor

[feargal 21]

Does your GP Surgery have a dedicated mental health GP, or one who specialises in addiction problems?  Many do, but you need to seek them out.  If not, some GP surgeries are "twinned" with other surgeries in the area, and it might be that they are more helpful, if you can request an appointment there.  As above, stress that you are drinking heavily, and need better help than you are receiving. 

 

You're doing well to acknowledge you need help, keep going xx

[sheffbag 227]

Bob

 

http://andysmanclub.co.uk/

Andy's man club is a session every Monday at 7 all over the country. It is a session run for guys just to come and chat about their problems or life, no pressure and it is not a medical group but I personally have found it very effective. They have a group in Brinsworth which meets at the centre or in Sheffield its at the fire station next to Decathlon.

 

the web site is currently under re-construction so there is only the locations up there

 

If you want to pm me about it that's fine or i'll answer anything i can here.

 

#itsokaytotalk

[pattricia 574]

Contact The Samaritans if you can’t get help elsewhere. I once asked them for help and they had it sorted in no time by passing me on to someone else. Just try them !

1 hour ago, pattricia said:

You need further professional help. You should not be mixing alcohol with prescription drugs. Go back to your GP and tell him this.

If he refuses to help you ask to be referred to another GP in the same practise. 

[El Cid 212]

17 hours ago, BobOfRoth said:

My kids say I need some help but my GP says me i should be medicated. The medication helps a bit but im drinking heavily and cant see a way out. My gp tells me there are online resources but when Ive registered with them I hear nothing. IAPTS is useless. I worry for the future. Can anyone help?

Have you tried AA?

 

Is there a reason, or numerous reasons that make you want to drink? Does drinking make your circumstances worse?

[pattricia 574]

On 12/02/2020 at 19:44, BobOfRoth said:

My kids say I need some help but my GP says me i should be medicated. The medication helps a bit but im drinking heavily and cant see a way out. My gp tells me there are online resources but when Ive registered with them I hear nothing. IAPTS is useless. I worry for the future. Can anyone help?

Hope some of our replies were of some help.

[BobOfRoth 0]

Thank you everyone for your replies and sorry for not replying sooner. Ive kinda been avoiding this thread if im honest but here goes,

Ive contacted AA today. Nice chap who is passing my details onto a local member who may be able to help me.

Im hoping to take the plunge with Andys mens club on Monday. I do worry it will be more difficult in a face to face situation but if I dont try Ill never know.

Ive also contacted social services to see if any help can be offered there. They say someone will be in touch in a couple of weeks.

At home im trying really hard to limit my intake, this is a hard one but i think Ive reduced it a tiny amount this week so im chipping away at it slowly but hopefully surely.

Im not looking forward to the next few months if im honest but im trying to focus on the benefits of not drinking. My problem is though I began drinking when I was breaking up from my wife (very very messy) and was lonely at night. Once the kids went to bed I had nothing to do and no one to talk to and conversation is something I love, well need really. An occasional drink turned into a nightly event and before I knew it I was needing one to get to sleep otherwise Id be awake all night. This has not changed and so obviously Im going to need something to fill the space left by alcohol.
Ooops, this is starting to look like a poor me thread haha
Sorry about that but a genuine heartfelt thank you for your posts. I firmly believe I wouldn't have taken these first steps without the positive words Ive had on here
Bob.

 

P.S. Thank you too for the DMs and I will answer them later but im just cooking dinner but I really wanted to post a reply to all you good people as you all took the time to post

Thank you again

Bob...,(again) lol

[francypants 441]

I wish you well and good luck.