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Looking for Mental Health and rehab recommendations Qld

Snow
Community Member

I have been drinking 1.5 bottles a night for the past 20+ years I am now in my early 50s.  I've managed to hold down a full time job and I'm married with 3 amazing kids.  Who get to see their mother passed out on the couch almost every night.  Every morning I wake and wonder when I moved from the couch to bed, hating myself and progressively through the day move from hate to it's ok, it's only a glass of wine. I have been to Belmont in the past due to depression.  I know that my drinking is linked to my childhood. I just can't seem to lift the cloud I live under and seek the warmth of alcohol.  I'm now on a fine line where i can't continue like this anymore. I know I have to address it and try and unravel it all to give me some peace and not depend on the bottle.  I have top level health insurance and have been trying to find a rehab that feels right for me.  I don't want to be feeling like a number and inconveniencing everyone. I want to be heard and helped. I don't want endless group therapy. I don't want to share a room with someone else who is experiencing life challenging lows. I don't want AA but an alternative to it. I don't want to go to a rehab that feels like detention or Cell Block H. I want somewhere that can help life my mind, body and soul without beeing too woo-woo. Ideally somewhere that is covered by private health or is affordable and won't take $100k from my super. Does such a place exist or am I wishing for unicorns and flying pigs? Can someone help me please? Before I loose it all. Thank you x

 

3 Replies 3

Sophie_M
Moderator
Moderator
Hi there,

Welcome to our friendly online community. We are so grateful that you decided to reach out here today as we know it can be really tough to make that step. It’s a great step to have taken, and we’ll be here for you on this journey.  
 
We hear you've sought support in the past and are seeking some advice around trying to find treatment. Unfortunately we do not suggest specific services as we strive to keep our community anonymous but please know that you are not alone in this. A good first check-in can be your GP, as they often have knowledge of many different treatment options and have heard feedback from other patients regarding what has helped.

It sounds like it would be really good to discuss this with are our friends at Counselling Online, who have some really good resources on Making a Change, here. There’s also the Beyond Blue helpline on 1300 22 4636, or on webchat if you’d prefer to speak to counsellor there. Our kind and understanding counsellors can talk this through with you and help you to figure out how you can get some support on the path to sobriety.  Other community members have previously mentioned Daybreak, the app, to be a useful resource. You can find out more about this here. 

This is a judgment-free space, so please feel free to share more, knowing that you'll be met with understanding. Hopefully a few of our welcoming community members will pop by soon to welcome you and offer some words of support and advice. 

Kind regards, 

Sophie M 

David35
Community Member

One of the benefits of AA is that it helps remove the shame of the addiction,  the very thing that usually fuels it. It's a vicious circle. Another benefit is being forced to be honest with yourself. Telling the truth to someone promotes frontal lobe activity which counteracts the emotional parts of your mind, the part that craves the alcohol.

With that said, AA itself can be addictive too, with pressure from members. What about seeing a psych to find out what is causing it. You alluded to it in your post, but didn't mention it.

Snow
Community Member

Thank you so much. Yes, I have connected with Psychs over the years and wondering if I haven't me the right one. Thank you so much for your feedback, I really do appreciate you taking the time to respond and is truly appreciated by me.