Queen Elizabeth meeting

[lonmallin50]

Had my first meeting at QE on Thursday for transplant doctor, all went well asked how long l been off drink told him 10 months but wants me to go to AA meetings so l don't go back on it l dont't need to. l never going back on it and also i told him i go to the pub every day drink squash told me to stop going its the only social life l have got, drink don't bother me at all any more so no if l should carry on doing what l am doing now all listen to him and sit at home every day on my own as my wife still works, l ran my own pub for 25 years so l so use to being in one all the time l don't even get tempted at all with drink l was so near death in Feb this year in hospital it scared me when i come round after a few days, my bilirubin was 500 l was that yellow its 109 now still after 10 months off it but l getting there slowly. will l listen to doctor all carry on as l am doing.

[Rshc]

AA isn't the only support option out there and it isn't for everyone. There are other organisations which might be a better fit for you. They call it relapse prevention. My partner with ARLD can comfortably go to the pub and not drink, we often stop off after walking the dog and he discussed this with his alcohol nurse when he went for transplant assessment and they didn't tell him to stop going. If you need to get some external support to tick a box in order to be listed it really is worth doing and you might find it helpful but I would suggest you look around or speak to your transplant co-ordinator for alternatives to AA

[lonmallin50 in reply to Rshc]

I did not know there was alternatives l just assumed it was AA thanks for reply

[DD75 in reply to lonmallin50]

There's a course in NW called intuitive recovery. It focuses on basically 'it wants it I don't' psychology so choice. It helped me after I wanted to stop drinking after I drank so much to cope when my mother died. I haven't had a drink in 9 years coming upto 10 thinking about it and i dont miss it. My point is I tried AA I didn't feel it was for me but saying that it does help alot of people and hearing other people's tragic stories from alcohol dependency does encourage you to stay away from it. A mixture of 2 support/courses may help you. Hope this helps.

[Richard-Allen]

Hello lonmallin,

Many hepatologists, psychiatric doctors and nurses have both seen and heard it many times before.

Being offered a liver transplant is a very serious decision. If the cause of the liver damage is alcohol-related, then the person literally has to prove and convince the waiting list panel that they are worthy of a second chance at life. Simply saying that they’ve not consumed alcohol for 10 months isn’t going to convince them.

As “Rshc” has said, the panel will want to see some proof of commitment. Simply saying that you no longer need or want to drink isn’t going to cut it. Alcohol-related problems whether it be an addiction or just a drink problem, are both become mental conditions, and for many people, there is an underlying cause as to why a person turns to alcohol as a form of self-medication. That initial cause still needs to be addressed and dealt with.

At first, when a person stops drinking, their resolve is weak. It takes time for our brains to stop any cravings or respond to triggers.

I often use this as an example of triggers.

If a person was to walk along any high street in any town or city. If they were to walk from one end to the other, it is reconned that the brain would have seen, registered and dismissed over 2000 advertisements. It’s only when something of interest catches our eye does the person respond.

Now, if a person with an alcohol problem was to walk down the same high street, advertisements like “Heineken”, “Carlsberg”, and “Johnnie Walker”, would all be screaming out. Cravings then kick in and may become stronger until the person gives in and satisfies the craving.

Social drinking is just one facet of having an alcohol problem. For many, it can be a person's best friend, after all, it’s always there when they need it, and it tries to make them feel happy. So, in times of stress and emotional problems, a person will always turn to their best friend for help.

So, when we go in front of that transplant assessment team, we have to prove that our drinking problems have been addressed and that steps are now in place to deal with any temptation or possible relapse. They may consider that going to a place where you are surrounded by alcohol that the temptation is just a too greater risk. They may defer you from going on the transplant waiting list and review your case again in six months.

It takes time for that resolve to combat the cravings and for the brain to no longer see drink labels, and adverts signs as being of interest.

One of the members of the assessment panel will be a psychiatric nurse or doctor. They know all about cravings and triggers, and of the alcohol mindset.

A liver transplant is seen by many as being a rebirth, a second chance. Those who have had an alcohol problem and gone on the have a liver transplant have had to change their lifestyle around. They no, longer go to their old haunts and drinking places. They no longer mix with their old drinking buddies and commit to an alcohol-free lifestyle. The person must also be willing the sign a contract saying that they will never drink alcohol again.

If a person was to breach this contract, and their transplanted liver was to become damaged as a result, then any further treatment would be denied.

I hope some of this is of help. It really is about being given a second chance at life. Out with the old, in with the new.

Look forward to 2023 and to being a new man (or an old man re-born)

Good Luck

Richard

[lonmallin50 in reply to Richard-Allen]

Thanks understand where he was coming from and what he meant

[Revil22]

Dear Lonmallin50Wow! Huge congratulations 10 months without a drink 🎊

It seems to me that you have a very strong will and and determination.

It is a pity that you do not like to attend the AA because you can help so many people who are struggling to stop.

Again Huge Congrats!