How long did you wait for alcohol support services to contact you?

[aroundtheblock999]

I self referred a few days ago. I'm not coping at all, and cannot stop drinking every day mostly. Too much anxiety and ptsd and worry and fear. Life is too much. I've stopped before but it's way worse now. One or two bottles of wine a day. I'm too traumatised for groups and trying to start DBT this week. No money for rehab or anything intensive. I feel absolutely ashamed and guilty and I desperately need help.

Hey. Well done for self referring!

It was reasonably quick from my self referral to being assessed. Well, there was an initial telephone assessment where I was given interim advice. Maybe the actual in person appointment was around 4 weeks. Then I have had 2 follow up calls. I think the first was mainly to see if I had managed to string together any sober days, which I had. I was then referred on for medication which includes a fibroscan. That has taken a while to get but that's in a couple of weeks. I have another telephone catch-up with the nurse as well at some point, but guessing that's after the scan.

It's by no means a quick process. I am still drinking but managed to have some sober days. I am sure that I will be a nervous wreck on the day of the scan. But I do want to know what state my liver is in. That more than ever I think will give me motivation to change. Even though I sort of know I have fatty liver, I won't be able to kid myself that I could be 'one of the lucky ones'.

Of course, the help you get will be tailored to you and your needs, and goals.

My advice while you are waiting is to keep on as you are. Just try not to give yourself a hard time. In fact, do the opposite because you have done a wonderful thing for yourself in asking for help.

Good luck to us both ey!

I think I did a Facebook referral and got help on a date I requested from a charity up north contracted to Suffolk CC this summer gone but even they were very supportive of going on to the local alcoholics anonymous.

A poster has appeared in a local store saying where is your money going kind of thing that looked bright and breezy, not religious as I thought AA was.