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Alcohol support

Support for withdrawal, after delerium tremens treatment

2 replies

barbiessister · 31/01/2017 23:02

Wondered if any one could shed some light on the NHS protocol for someone being admitted with delirium tremens, once this has been treated and a substance abuse referral has been offered - why do the nursing staff or the substance abuse counsellor not seem to advise the actual patient of the severity of their withdrawal? Or, is it not discussed as the staff have supported the person through their health risks?

I know someone who has been a functioning alcoholic for as long as I have known them, but who is turning against their family members, calling family members liars etc, and they were not treated for delirium tremens because the doctors didn't say that..etc etc...When a person is in denial as much as they are, what is the best way that emotional support can be provided, if the person doesn't even consider that they have an issue? The person I speak of is not interested in receiving counselling; is it advisable for family members to list all of the effects the alcoholism has had on them? (without hoping to make a bad situation worse)
for clarity the person is not drinking at this moment, but has relapsed several times before.

Thanks to all who read

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Tweedledee3Tweedledum · 31/01/2017 23:17

What a difficult situation for you all.

I would suggest that you (and other family members) make sure you are receiving the support you need emotionally too. I guess with regards to the person who abuses alcohol that you let them know you are there for them, if they ever need you, but also be clear about your boundaries and what behaviours you aren't willing to tolerate e.g. Being called a liar etc.

Perhaps it would be worth contacting the substance misuse team in your area for advice?

The national institution for clinical excellence should give you an idea of NHS procedures in this instance:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg100/chapter/1-guidance

Flowers

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chickendrizzlecake · 08/02/2017 18:35

It's so hard isn't it. My Mum has gone into withdrawal in hospital once and she still swears blind it was because of medication given to her in hospital that made her go 'funny'. When someone is in that deep denial it is almost impossible to reason with them - they rewrite events completely.

As for the follow up we can't really find out how it works. The alcohol support team have to follow it up, but they won't speak to us - it has to be to the patient themselves because of confidentiality. Unfortunately as my Mum has dementia as well she can't even remember that they phoned so we never get any further than that.

Sorry not meaning to derail your thread - just making the point that the NHS will only work with the person directly and if they won't admit the problem it's very hard for relatives to intervene

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