switching from alcohol to pain meds - help

[customsoda]

Spouse has an appointment with a pain management clinic on January 20, 2009. He has been drinking a lot of alcohol daily to deal with the pain. I've told him he needs to quit, and he agrees, but doesn't think he can manage to quit without pain meds.

Do you think the pain management clinic will prescribe anything if he is still drinking at that time? He refuses to go for detox until after the pain appt. in January, but I'm afraid they won't treat him because of the booze. We have waited months already for the appointment and I would hate for it to be a waste of time. His ortho surgeon does not feel he is a candidate for surgery due to 1)2 levels gone (only due 1 level in Ontario) 2)diabetic 3)heavy alcohol use.

wife of custom soda

[Terry]

I would rather see someone get on to the pain medication for pain, than resort to alcohol abuse, due to the possible irreversible damage that can occur from long-term alcoholism. The other bit of insanity is drinking with diabetes which furthers the complications from diabetes.

Please PM me to consider doing a possible intervention on your husband's alcoholism. It truly is a matter of life and death. Please ask Justin for feedback concerning this as well. He is very knowledgeable about the ramifications of what your husband is doing.

PLEASE PM ME!

Terry Newton

[KBear]

Being raised as a child of an alcoholic, I have some strong opinions on the subject. Before I get on my soapbox, let me say, that my parent joined AA a little over 20 years ago and has been sober ever since.

First, some questions: Is it possible that the pain is an excuse to drink in excess? Did he drink heavily before the pain? Is there a family history of alcoholism? What makes him think that if he is given pain meds he is just going to be able to quit? Do you honestly believe that he will quit?

The thing is, alcoholics will find any excuse to drink, to justify it to themselves and others. I know, pain sucks, it can be unbearable, it is wearing on you physically and emotionally, and more. But, alcohol is not going to change that. I would say if you were going to do something to help with pain, I could understand smoking pot before drinking. When I am in pain, the last thing on my mind is alcohol. I sometimes can not get off my couch to go get a pain pill (that I know is going to help me), because I am in too much pain to move. So, I can't imagine having to drink a ton of alcohol for effect, just seems like it would take too much energy if you are hurting badly.

Then, does he realize that alcohol could definitely be making his pain worse? Also, what if he gets pain meds and doesn't quit drinking? Sadly, I have known of people that did that very thing. Then, he would be putting not just one toxic substance in his body; but two. It is well known that alcohol can cause liver damage and that pain medication can too. When pain medication is taken correctly (as prescribed, without alcohol), you greatly reduce your chances of liver damage. Alcohol on the other hand, does not have a "reccommended dosing". You then mix that with pain medication and you have a recipe for disaster. I used to enjoy a beer or two every once in awhile, before I had back pain. But, I have made a choice to not drink, because I really like having a liver.

I hope this doesn't come off as harsh, because that is not my intention. It really just sounds fishy to me, so if I were you, I would dig a little deeper. Hope he finds the help he needs, Kathy

[maz]

Hi Custom Sodas wife,

I am so sorry that you and your husband are suffreing badly because of his pain and his alcoholism. I can imagine your concern and really feel for both of you. I too am the child of 2 alcoholics , and 4 out of the 8 of my siblings are also alcoholics, one in rehab the other in aa the other 2 in denial. Its so very sad but its not hopeless.

"Never ever give us hope" thats what Dalai Lama says and thats good enought for me. Yes he needs help and you also need support. I do think he needs to be honest with the pain doc and say he wants to cut down his drinking then stop so he can benefit from the meds prescribed. The pain doc must see this all the time, so many people use alcohol to dull all kinds of pain and to dull emotional pain too.

I think its important he can be encouraged and helped to make the decision to stop by someone he respects and it has to be his decision too. He has to own it. If the pain doc can convince him he can provide enough pain relief to beat or match what the alcohol does maybe he will go for it but I dont think he can lie about the drinking because its so dangerous.

I wish you both all the luck in the world and the suport and strength you both need right now

Maz