Posted by James K on May 8, 2006, at 12:50:20
In reply to Seeking Help....Good Idea or Maybe Not., posted by BUCKEYE FANATIC on May 8, 2006, at 7:38:52
> My "counselor" coldy told me that I was an alcoholic, and drug addict..and that my Family MD was my enabler~ All in our first meeting!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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> I am scheduled today to see the "Psychiatrist" at the agency..and to be honest I am scared.
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> Here are my questions:
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> How much power can this Agency have over me?, I have self-referred myself to them all on my own.----I'm not an expert, but here are my thoughts. I'm assuming you're an american (Ohio?). Unless you are on social security disablility of some kind or perhaps medicaid, I don't think they can have any power over what kind of treatment you get. If you are on disablity, the most they could do is control what kind of treatment you get to ensure future benefits.
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> I feel threatened already...and wonder if I should not go today..and just begin gradually cutting back on my xanax on my own..and eliminate drinking altogether ( I have already gone 8 days with no alcohol)----If you've gone that long without Alcohol, you are not a danger to yourself or others requiring hospitalization voluntary or involuntary (I will say that to the extent you are physically dependent, some new withdrawal symptoms could show up about now. If a physician has prescribed a medication for you, no "counselor" has the legal power to overide that medical decision. I would (out of paranoia) not give out my doctor's name (if you haven't already) to keep him out of trouble from some overzealous government employee from reporting him as some kind of drug dispensing doctor. Wanting to quit both the benzo and the alcohol is admirable, but when you get into the addictions specialty, you are going to find a lot of prejudice against legitimate medications. Those people have a different mindset, and they have seen horror stories and denial and lies from so many addicts (not you).
Getting off xanax should be a slow taper. If you can pull it off yourself (with your physicians help if you want) good for you. Going off a long term benzo (xanax) and alcohol at the same exact time will be difficult. I'm doing it the last two months. If you don't feel you are in big trouble I'd wait on phase two. The desire is admirable. Don't forget that symptoms led your physician to prescribe for you and they may return as you discontinue.
If you really want to quit, and can't, you may need rehab, but I see nothing in what you say that could force you into rehab. I also don't know that you are required to keep an appointment, to avoid a commitment type legal battle (unless your jurisdiction, or insurance plan, has some kind of rules about compliance to ensure continued benefits) but you don't seem to meet the requirement for involuntary commitment to a facility.
Learning more about addiction to alcohol and dependence on a prescribed substance can be good for you, so maybe stay involved. Just know that they come from a different point of view - one of blaming and total abstinence from everything. Psych meds have a purpose, and dangers as well, but a physician or psychiatrist is just as/more qualified than an addiction counselor.
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> Can this agency "take over" and force me into a rehab program against my will??? ( I know that sounds paranoid,,,,but it is a concern I have)---I hope this helps some, and if anyone disagrees or has more concrete info on his particular situation, please jump in. This is just my experience and understanding of a different part of the country.
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> The agency is a Community Mental Health Center.
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---James K
poster:James K
thread:641246
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20060505/msgs/641367.html