Severe alcohol detox

[alcoholicsupport]

My sister is an alcoholic, drinking 3 bottles of wine a day. Crisis this morning and she is we are flying over to collect her bring home to detox. What to expect? Trying to get GP apt but basically we will be taking it turn to be with her 24/7 during the process. Sever mental health

You need medical advice. Please.

Alcohol detox in physical addiction without medical supervision can be fatal. And if she’s admitting to 24 units every day (likely it’s much more) she is probably physically addicted. Very roughly above 24 units/24 hours means she never sober.

Can she get into a detox where she is?

Shakes, possible convulsions, hallucinations, get all the help for her you can as it's terrifying for the alcoholic and their carers. It's also very easy to slip back to drinking when it's all over. I've been where you are, got sod all help from anyone, 30 years ago, 20 years ago, and 15 years ago. Professional help is vital. Good luck.

At those levels she really needs to be under medical supervision. I used to drink roughly the same amount of units and I was very very ill when I stopped and my Dr told me I was lucky that I'd got through it on my own.

Do not try to detox at home. It could kill her.

I’m trying to get GP apt for tomorrow. She won’t go to rehab. We had a place for her with a bed available today in Uk (privately ) and she won’t go but has agreeed to fly back to Ireland today. Not sure where it will go from here. Hopefully we can get gp apt for tomorrow. Can they do medical detox from gp

I still suspect she won’t get on flight even though family member flying over to collect. She has three young d kids

She could have a seizure if she just stops. It sounds like you are bringing her home from a long way away - from abroad?

Try calling 111 for medical advice (?).

You may need to give her an alcoholic drink to keep her safe until she’s able to detox under medical supervision. If she’s hurt or showing signs of possible organ failure (abdominal or lower back pain, yellow eyes and skin, swollen legs) get her to A&E immediately.

Sorry I’m not an expert but I do know it’s very hard to get support unless the alcoholic really wants to stop.

My top tip is to be completely nonjudgmental about her condition. Addiction really is a bastard and will strip away self esteem. But take care of yourselves as well.

Echoing what others have said - she needs detox under medical supervision. If she lives elsewhere, will a local GP even see her/provide care? Is private outpatient detox a possibility eg The Priory?

If you are on your own with her ie no professional help, she needs to taper off ie reduce consumption slowly (lots of resources online to advise on amounts/schedules) but this will only work if she is willing (as will anything to be honest).

She is lucky to have you @alcoholicsupport - I really hope she can find the strength to accept the lifeline she’s being offered 💐

I don’t envy you, this is really tough.

If she doesn’t want a bed, does she want to detox? Because having her over, at everyone’s expense, when she may not be in a place to do this, could be bad. How will she get home if it all goes wrong? If she need medical attention, will it be very expensive if she’s not resident?

Does she even want to get better?
she doen't want to get on the flight
She doesn't want to see a GP
She doesn't want to go into rehab

I'm sorry you are having to deal with this.

It probably depends on the GP and the circumstances, but yes it is possible.

They might also suggest she drinks one unit less of alcohol a day each day with your help.

It is absolutely imperative that she DOES NOT QUIT COLD TURKEY.

Alcohol withdrawal can be fatal.

Although she is saying no to rehab right now, that could change at any time. She might say "I'm ready, I want to go." Fingers crossed. Who knows when rock bottom will land.

I'm sorry you are going through this and wish your sister a healthy recovery. It's a horrible place to be but there is light on the other side, and many many people live happily having recovered from addiction. We are hidden but we are legion!

Please seek urgent advice as it can be very dangerous to physically detox and go cold turkey without medical advice or supervision.

Does she want to stop drinking?
What was the medical crisis? - I’m wondering if this is the right time.

Are her children safe?

Are you going to physically force her onto the plane? Who does she have in her home country? I think if you (family in Ireland) are desperate enough to fly out to help her you should stay over wherever she is and gradually bring her round to the idea of using local services if at all possible. And she MUST NOT STOP DRINKING COLD TURKEY, THAT WILL PROBABLY KILL HER.

There is no point in moving her to a different country if she won't go to rehab.

Moving her over here was more that she has more support over here and to give her poor kids a break. She can’t be in the same house as them at the moment.

anyway she is on flight but in an awful state so we are considering bringing straight to A&E here. She is manic and having a serious mental breakdown.

I would take her to AnE if she is manic and get her assessed as there are serious withdrawal effects

www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse/

Good luck OP. She and her family are lucky to have you.

Good luck. Hospital is the best place and they can help her and keep her safe xx

She hasn’t withdrawn at all. She’s been drinking today.

Oh blimey there’s every possibility that she’ll be arrested when she lands if she’s aggressive or argumentative.

It’s good that someone’s with her at least to keep you updated but it really doesn’t sound like she’s ready to stop.

Can you get in touch with Al Anon to help you and other family members deal with this? They are the sister organisation of AA and support family and friends of alcoholics even if the alcoholic themselves doesn’t want any help

When she's speaking to doctors etc she needs to be honest about her level of drinking so they know how best to help.

This must be so horrible at the moment, but might be the turning point for your sister - hopefully. She is lucky to have a supportive family.

I think it sounds like A and E is definitely the best call.

Even if they send her home, you will at least have some guidance from them about how to help her at home and you'll know what you're doing, e.g. slowly reducing the number of drinks.

@alcoholicsupport I hope things are going ok. Your sister is lucky to have you all supporting her. Well done that family member who went to get her.