To be a bit pissed off

[Tinkerbubbletrouble]

I suffer from a few addictions for which I am seeking help for. I have bi weekly councilling one to one sessions, and bi weekly group counseling sessions to prepare me for detox. I have been unwell this week, so may be being a bit sensitive. I get there to find out that the lady im supposed to see isn't there, and that she won't be in today. No other explanation was offered. I said that they could have called me so that I didn't have to come in (I am visibly unwell - horrible horrible cold)? The response I got was 'nothing I can do, will get her to call you' AIBU to request to see someone different? I get basically 0 free time and had to take a morning off to go to the appointment in the first place and this is not the first time that I have been completely forgotten about. I need to go to these sessions as they are helping to keep me sane whilst I try and stop drinking, so I don't want to rock the boat too much, but I'm just really really really annoyed.

Has she done this before?

If you have a relationship with her, I would stick with her if this was not a regular thing. She probably has the same thing as you do. You are well within your right to raise it with her and ensure that if it happens again you are contacted so you are aware she will not be in. Also, I think the attitude of the receptionist was well off.

Stick with it if it's a one off.

YADDDDDDDDDDDNBU to be really, really, really annoyed though.

?

Hoops, thanks for your response. This isn't the first time this has happened (3rd) so I'm a bit more annoyed than I would have been If it hadn't happened before. I will stick with her for the next one, and speak to her about it! The receptionist seemed to have the attitude of 'youre an addict, you don't matter' but again, that could be me just being sensitive.

The receptionist seemed to have the attitude of 'youre an addict, you don't matter' THIS. This I would raise. Is there PALS you can contact?

If it isn't the first time, I would definitely raise it with her. My one concern (and I've been somewhere similar to your shoes) is that if you ask to change they may view it as a "is this an excuse to delay the detox program?". And, I personally, would be really worried of having that said to me (I would not be confident that I would react appropriately if someone said something similar to me). From what you've written you are working really hard and clearly do want the help and do what to continue, but just be a bit careful that you express that very, very clearly before you raise any issues or suggestions with the actual counsellor.

The time, effort and exhaustion that bi-weekley counselling requires is immense and they should be fully aware of this and be doing everything possible to make this process as easy as possible (with it always being blood difficult). It would have taken five minutes to give you a call regarding the cancellation this morning and that would have relieved a lot of stress and worry from your day.

Well done by the way!

I do think it was very unprofessional for nobody to call you and let you know

Thank you for your kind words. I am really trying, and you are right, it is exhausting. I work full time, and do various other things to distract me from the pub, but days like today really do just push me down. I will hold off of asking to change counselor as I am terrified my detox date would be pushed back. I just want to get through this in one piece, sooner rather than later.

No worries.

Do you have things to do this afternoon? Not sure if this would be helpful for you, but, I made this jar a few years ago and filled it with folded up bits of paper with things on to do that were related to my interests and also that I would enjoy. When I have days when I don't know what to with myself, or, where plans suddenly are cancelled I pick a piece of paper out of the jar (actually I pick three now and I chose my favourite).

I've found it pretty useful to get through the harder days where I may have previously engaged in an "unhelpful behaviour" as my GP refers to them.

I am back in work now. I took the morning off to go to this appointment so I will be busy in classes till this evening. My plan after work is not so certain. I will definitely try your jam jar idea. It sounds great! Thank you :)