Yesterday I had to go to the doctors as I wanted antibiotics for a chest infection. Yes I was right I did need them.
Whenever I see a doctor, nurse, radiographer etc, I always engage in some form of conversion. Radiologists particularly, as they tend to give you more information than the person who requested the X-ray.
Yesterday I asked my gp ( not usual one, I've already asked him) what were his views on TSM and nalmafene/naltrexone. He actually said he hadn't a clue what I was talking about!
I explained briefly, and to be fair, he did Google TSM and had a quick glance at the screen. He then asked me why I wanted to know as I was an intelligent person and surely didn't believe you could take a pill (he'd never heard of either) and an hour or two later drink alcohol. He said he'd be a multi millionaire if he'd thought of something like that!.
I then made the mistake of mentioning this forum. Apparently folks we are all looking for excuses to drink and we'd all be better off going somewhere reputable like AA or addaction or an ARC. ARCs in particular, are very good as they have proper trained counsellors who are experts in dealing with drug addicts and alcoholics!!! I give up.
Oh before I go, there's no such thing as AUD. It's just the latest 'buzz word' made up by some PC people for alcoholics. Alcoholics have praised using the term AUD as it makes it sound like an illness we can't help, rather than a self induced choice to drink. We can all drink whatever and how much we want as we claim we're ill so therefore we've the perfect excuse.
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry
It kind of is a choice though. It's not something we would have if we never picked up the bottle. I think it's more comparable to a skier breaking a leg or a diver getting the bends.
Yes typical arrogant British response. Sorry that you were put through this. Persevere and keep asking. Lots of hugs. X
Hi Vicks hope u r ok.
Well that's just a typical response from a dinosaur GP, which, unfortunately it would seem, the NHS is full of.
What can we do when AUD is discriminated in such a blatantly derogatory way, by a so called trained professional?
I would write to my MP but that would probably be a waste of time too.
Words fail x
Dont think you should see that GP again...sounds like he lives on a different planet.
Horrible ignorance. I can understand being sceptical about a drug that sounds magical. But he should research rather than assume and share his assumption so confidently.
Everything else he said is outrageous. When someone 'chooses' to do something that can potentially ruin and ultimately end their life- then any professional should be able to have the depth of thinking that something is clearly very wrong. Nobody would 'choose' this.
Not surprised. sadly 
I do tend to believe that it could be sometime before we see a tide change in this type of response. These doctors had almost zero training in addiction when they were studying, and what they did have was the traditional approach.
Add to that the fact that IF they get any one in front of them, the usual response has been (and still often is) to refer to addiction specialists, they have no reason to educate themselves of addiction issues.
I think we will have to wait until the 'newer' trained doctors finally filter through to surgeries. At least these doctors may be aware of the concept of harm reduction and that actually, addiction is not a choice but a chronic illness of the brain.
For the time being, it seems that the door is firmly shut in our faces by physicians who studied medicine years before the onset of more recent thinking. I bet they can't even explain the term 'harm reduction' and that they still believe an addict has to hit rock bottom before they might be helped!
If someone discovers a lump would a physician ever, ever dream of sending them away on the basis that they have to develop full term cancer before they can be treated?
Prevention and early treatment just doesn't seem to feature in their vocabulary.
Oh dear Vickylou.. Your GP sounds and acts like a absolute prat! Robin
Robin he's not my normal gp, a different dr in the practice. Having said that my regular gp was of the same opinion, but not as dismissive. Both are only around 35.
i didn't want the drugs, don't need them. I just wanted his opinion. I feel extremely sorry for anyone who actually plucked up the courage to ask for help and got that thrown at them. He did say the only medically approved drug was Antabuse!! The same practice where a locum prescribed me campral!
C'mon Vicks,
You've been there, did you really expect anything different.
No not really, but worth a try! You have to laugh at the description of ARCs having properly trained counsellors and Antabuse being the only reputable drug haha
Disappointing but not surprised. I've recently spoken with several clinicians including a hospital consultant, none have a clue about TSM.
Alcohol abuse is so prevelent there is likely a friend or family member of thiers drinking themselves to death and they don't have a clue or choose to ignore it. it's always "just stop".
Ironic really when you think about it, the medical profession is well known for having a high percentage of 'alcoholics' I've posted before about going to an AA meeting and my boss was there (I was working as a medical secretary to a consultant at the time!)
I used the word 'alcoholics' as according to the dr I saw, AUD doesn't exist!
HI Vicks. Going to to see a GP or an ARC with AUD is like an effing black comedy x
That's putting it politely! I'm so glad I no longer have anything to do with them.