Residential rehab

[Cremedelacreme]

Do any of you know if a stay in rehab might address the problems my partner has with being confused when not drinking. He seems much clearer in the head and kinder when he drinks. Thanks

[RHGB]

There are a few issues here. First if he is alcohol dependent (daily drinker) , he should be taking thiamine, vitamin b compound strong and B12 to help his memory and body.

Daily heavy alcohol intake does cause changes to the brain. It would help if you could give a bit more info, as to how much/how long/how frequently? And any other information you have.

I can then come back with a bit more directed advice. I will just say, before anyone redirects you to your GP, he/she is unlikely to help unless he is physically ill. They see alcohol dependence as a lifestyle problem and not a medical problem and the budget comes under mental health which is not given to your GP, so there is no financial incentive for them either.

[Cremedelacreme in reply to RHGB]

Thanks for your reply. He has advanced liver disease and is on lots of drugs for that. He was off alcohol for three months and felt worse --sleepless, mood swings, gagging, fatigue and confusion. Now drinking again and seems less confused.

[RHGB in reply to Cremedelacreme]

Sorry, one more question before I answer, because of the new info you have provided. Has his gastro provided any thoughts on the matter?

[Cremedelacreme in reply to RHGB]

Just told him to stop drinking. No help with physical symptoms or emotional fall out .

[RHGB in reply to Cremedelacreme]

Well, a virtual hug for the emotional fallout. The medical profession really falls short when it comes to this. A case of the patient bringing upon themselves attitude and a lack of understanding of the problem itself. Because of the lack of empathy over decades regarding treatment, it is not a well researched subject. Having been previously hospitalised for liver failure and a brain haemorrhage with a nearly two month stay, followed by a relapse and trying to get help from my GP, then ARCs and having had a virtual stand up row with my gastro, I am fully aware of the shortcomings.

When alcohol is taken away from someone, over time, they should get better, but for many, alcohol still exerts a hold on them. This is called PAWS (post acute withdrawal syndrome). It is not something medical staff usually discuss or are really aware of. Here are a couple of articles about PAWS, that are worth reading to help understand it. The second article gives a good list of symptoms that will probably resonate with you.

alcoholrehab.com/addiction-...

addictionsandrecovery.org/p...

This following link covers confusion.

interventionctr.com/addicti...

I think together they probably cover what your husband is suffering from. One of the things I am sure you will see, is PAWS can easily last for a year. Our brains can take a long time to readjust and a simple detox only deals with the physical symptoms and not the neurological or psychological symptoms.

In answer to your original post, a week stint in rehab would probably not do much for him, except empty your bank balance (rehab on the NHS is hard to get). Also the quality can vary from rehab to rehab and you never know what you are going to get. The only advantage with long term rehab, is that you are far removed from alcohol and in an environment where it is not seen or mentioned and it is easier to manage the transition away as everything is fairly regimented.

I think your first stage is to read about PAWS and see if you think that is what your husband is suffering from. Short term, yes alcohol will help him, because it will rebalance his system and make him feel better and quite perversely restore some cognitive functions. If it is PAWS, then half the battle is understanding it/the problem and that greatly helps in decision making.

Usual disclaimer, I am not a doctor nor medically trained, only providing my thoughts through previous experience.

[Hidden in reply to RHGB]

While RHGB has gone to great lengths here to reply to this question. I would be very careful when someone refers to non-UK websites as these can be misleading. What happens in Canada and the USA maybe a lot different from here. I personally don't conform with this doctrine. Hepatic Encephalopathy is most likely at work here. This is where the liver can't break down and deal with toxins as it should do. When we eat and drink, food ends up in the gut were it is processed and broken down by friendly bacteria a by product of the process is the production of Ammonia. Thing is normally dealt with the liver and would normally get passed onto the kidneys are disposed in the urine (That's what give the urine it's smell). Ammonia is the most dangerous of these toxins, which due to the damaged liver, gets into the blood system and finds it's way to the brain. Here it results in confusion short term memory loss. This then in tern can cause frustration and mood changes. It's a horrible condition, but can get better with time. If your partner continues to drink alcohol then other problems will start to appear at it sounds like the liver is pretty damaged. Your partner really should have a Liver Function Test. And be refer to a Hepatologist.

[RHGB in reply to Hidden]

Well, I thought I would counter some of these statements.

The reason I use North American websites, is that as I said, the medical profession (UK on alcohol) falls short and does not really understand the problems with alcohol abuse and it is quite undocumented. If the UK documented it and understood it, I would use UK links. It (PAWS) isn't a doctrine, it is a well known long term problem when quitting alcohol.

As for Hepatic Encephalopathy, the OP clearly stated that the confusion got worse after stopping alcohol intake, plus her husband is under the guidance of a gastro and in her words 'He has advanced liver disease and is on lots of drugs for that'. It is SOP to give lactulose for those suspected of HE.

"Your partner really should have a Liver Function Test. And be refer to a Hepatologist."

The OP has already stated that her husband has advanced stage liver disease and is on lots of drugs for that. This leads me to believe that he is way beyond having an LFT and is diagnosed already, plus he is already under the care of a gastro.

I asked questions twice, to the OP, to try and clarify the situation, before giving advice.

[Hidden in reply to RHGB]

My comments were certainly not mean't as a criticism of you RHBG. and what you are trying to do by informing others of the dangers of alcohol and especially of alcohol-related liver disease. I happen to totally agree with you about the lack of information and of awareness out there in the public domain.

I for my part have been through all these medical conditions and have experienced them first hand, so I speak from a personal experience. I too am not medically qualified, and find that this can be a big disadvantage, as there are those out there in the medical profession who say, "you shouldn't be talking about such things, your not medically qualified". My answer is simple, I am on a crusade to simply raise awareness. I speak from my own perspective and through my own research.

When I suffered with my bout of Varices three years ago. I happened to ask the then consultant why there wasn't more information this condition available out there, as I'd never seen any leaflets or people talking about this condition. He just replied, "What's the point, they won't take any notice anyway". I happen to disagree as I believe that knowledge is power, and power can make a change. So my crusade of awareness is still continuing.

So far this year I have had my story published up on the BLT's, "My Story" column. I have done a feature for our local newspaper. I have put together a website and this can be viewed at: taep.eu/ and I've recently had my story publish in a national newspaper thanks to the staff at the BLT. But even this isn't enough.

We are both trying to do the same thing here, believe me. I am on your side really.

[Hidden in reply to RHGB]

my gp says alcohol addiction an illness. trying to get my husband to stop drinking, he won't. says he can do it himself, he can't. sadly nobody can make them stop. soul destroying watching someone you love kill themselves

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Tegan, I was just wondering if you and your husband happened to share the same family Doctor? I ask this as there's still something you might be able to do. If you do share the same doctor it might be an idea having a word with them. While they won't be able to discuss your husbands medical issues for fear of breaking confidentiality. However, the doctor still is able to treat you, and if your concerned and worried about your husband, then this could well have a detrimental effect on you health and wellbeing, of which the doctor would have to treat you for. Once a GP knows of a problem they maybe able to help. The GP could arrange to have an and annual medicine review of your husband. Once he's got him there he could probe and ask some life style questions. The first thing he might be able to do is get your husband to agree to a liver function test, It's only a blood test and your husband would have nothing to lose.This may all seem like a bit of skulduggery. But it would be in his best interest, and if I was him, it would just show me just how much someone cared.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Richard, thanks for your concern. we do share the same doctor, and have done all the things you suggest. sadly my husband doesn't want to stop drinking, he enjoys it? waiting to see neurologist as he has lots of probs. thanks again

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Your most welcome, I feel your frustration. It's not going to be easy to make life style changes. Sadly people drink for so many different reasons. Some just because they like it and enjoy the socialising. The person who has a habit or routine of say calling in the pub on their way home from work each night and having a few drinks. Has developed two conditions without realising it One is the drinking and the other is the routine. It wouldn't work to just say, I'll cut down, or I'll just drink alcohol free beers. Sadly the world is full of triggers. Alcohol is everywhere. You can't watch a Grand Prix motor race without there being Heineken all over the track. There's signs on the side of buses. Even watching TV soaps are full of triggers.

Just stay strong Tegan, that fact that your standing by and offering support shows just how much you care.

[LAJ123]

Good morning,

Because of the risks involved, rehab should have medical backup at all times. Make sure that the correct qualified nursing medical support is available on site at all times.

They should be able to ensure that he is safe and take appropriate action when required.

Jim

[julieju]

Has he tried very carefully & slowly weaning himself off alcohol? Does he want to stop drinking alcohol? I am not being nosy but I have done it & did it really gradually..... then I started drinking again & now have stopped again! I am a very addictive personality & ended up spending the same amount on Diet Coke, then Ice-cream..... then I was eating Co-codamol like sweets! This time, because I was prepared for the need to substitute one addiction for another, I am quaffing copious amounts of Green Tea (yuck!) with sweeteners & lemon juice (yum!). I am reading loads of books..... cleaning anything remotely blemished-looking & actually weaning myself off Amitriptyline. It isn't easy as I live on my own & temptation is my best mate sometimes but I have my little dog to give me a reason! Hope this helps xxxx

[mncold]

My husband had cirrhosis and his doctor subscribed lactalose for confusion, which is apparently cause in liver disease by a build up of ammonia in the brain. I'm not sure if it makes any difference but we live in the U.S. I have a friend whose husband quit drinking and she mentioned she liked him better when he drank, and I've noticed in my own husband that since he has stopped drinking he is a little more likely to make unkind comments now.

Good luck to you and your partner.

[Chinajohn in reply to mncold]

Oh My Dear I feel for you, I have not drank alcohol for 18 years. It took 17 years to accept I had a problem. After about three years I was again preaching to wife as when drinking was never wrong absolutely Im right now not drinking!!!!!. My poor wife burst into tears and said " you treated me better when you were drinking" My God a cricket bat wake up. I will never forget those words and the hopelessness on her face. Alcoholics Anonymous has given me life and sanity back. Its soul detroying to see someone you love drifting further away a terrible illness

All the best a day at a time. China john

[Hidden in reply to mncold]

Hello Mncold, There are a couple of things I'd like to address here. Firstly I can honestly say that living with hepatic encephalopathy is not a very nice thing. And it can be very frustrating. When I used to suffer with it, I used to become confused and frustrated. This also lead to being irritable and dare I say it mean. Even doing a simple task can become frustrating. But always try and remember that this is a medical condition and the person isn't really at fault.

I remember having this one typical example.

One evening I was sitting on the sofa with my wife watching the TV. When there was an advert break came on I decided to go to the toilet (so far so good). As I walk passed my wife,, she said... "If your going through the kitchen can you make a cup of tea. (I had to go through the kitchen to get to the bathroom). So now the confusion starts to kick in. I'd got up to go to the bathroom and now I have to do something else. By the time I got to the bathroom I'd thought I could be boiling the water while I'm in the bathroom, so I walk back and put the kettle on. Oh, I now need milk so I go to the fridge and get the milk. I walk back to the cup and can't help thinking that there was something I was meant to be doing, but I can't remember what it is. I make the cup of tea, I take in into the lounge and give it to my wife. (I'm still bugging myself about the thing I'd forgotten to do, but still can't remember what it is. I sit down and have to cross my legs as it's uncomfortable. I then remember what it was I got up to do in the first place. and I'm now angry with myself for not doing it. The TV program has restarted and I have to get up and go to the toilet. I'm now frustrated that I'm having to miss the restart. On the way to the toilet for the second time, I walk through the kitchen only to hear my wife call out. "I few biscuits would be nice". My reply is a mouth full of swear words. None of these words are meant as there just born out of frustration, but like so many things we say in haste, once said, they can never be taken back.

The other thing you said was your husband had cirrhosis, sadly when the liver gets to the cirrhosis stage, its usually unrepairable due to scaring. However, a person can still have a good life if certain life style changes are made.

The last thing I'd mention is that I heard the other day, (not sure if it's true) that liver transplants in the USA aren't done if the cause of the damage is alcohol related. Might be something to bare in mind and look in to.

Good Luck

Richard

[ducati0872]

I was a heavy alcohol dependant drinker, but was referred to a Psychiatrist for an underlying problem of Depression and severe anxiety. I am currently taking medication for this but kept Binge drinking and regularly drank a litre of spirits a day! The medication did not seem to help and I too had the symptoms you describe plus shakes, nausea, memory loss, however with the help of a local substance abuse team i now only drink 1 or 2 glasses of wine a week and with the help of B vitamins and Thiamine together with my other medication i am now more relaxed my personality has returned I sleep properly at night(no more sleeping in the day) and my general wellbeing is much better, I also look younger which is one of the downsides of Alcohol.

A stay in rehab was one of my alternatives but you need to have the mental state of wanting to give up drinking totally, I would strongly recommend that you consult your GP to see if there is an Abuse Service you can attend, they should be able to prescribe you something to stop the craving for alcohol(naltrexone) and you should find that he is a much better person physically and mentally if he can reduce or even stop his drinking, my partner has told me that I am a totally a different person and much nicer to be around and live with! The other part of drinking is the damage it can cause to your liver and I was told that if I carried on drinking then Cirrhosis was inevitable leaving me with about 5 years to live, my ALT and AST were extremely high, well out of range but since reducing my Drinking they have now returned to normal.

It is hard to accept but help is there for you and your partner if you ask for it, I would urge you to try your GP as soon as possible and you will find that once you have help there is a huge burden lifted from your shoulders and you instantly feel much better

Hope this helps