Friend going off the rails

fuzzydunlop85

Hi folks, just wondering about getting my friend some help he's been under a lot of pressure lately and has been on a bender the last 4 days, we got him off the sauce and he's a relatives house tonight and they gonna try and get him to doctors tomorrow. Another friend has said he could be sectioned/hospitalised just wondering is this a possibility? Thanks.

sam34

Under the irish mental health act someone can't be 'sectioned' for treatment of alcohol or drug issues.

LucidLife

fuzzydunlop85 wrote: »

Hi folks, just wondering about getting my friend some help he's been under a lot of pressure lately and has been on a bender the last 4 days, we got him off the sauce and he's a relatives house tonight and they gonna try and get him to doctors tomorrow. Another friend has said he could be sectioned/hospitalised just wondering is this a possibility? Thanks.

Yeah quick involuntarily institutionalize him....that's exactly what your 'friend' needs! ...just consider the consequences of even attempting it ffs. Surely you/whoever is concerned can come up with a better idea and if not then leave the already hurt man the fcuk alone.

Apologies if seems blunt but I have been in your 'friends' position and you clearly have no regard for his perspective.

LucidLife

sam34 wrote: »

Under the irish mental health act someone can't be 'sectioned' for treatment of alcohol or drug issues.

If a judge orders it I believe they can be assessed. Judge signs warrant and guy gets arrested, detained for upto 24hrs and gets evaluated.

That said drinking doesn't mean he in mentality not capable by any stretch and would only make an already bad experience worse for all involved

Rosy Posy

Unfortunately there's not a lot you can do unless your friend really wants to change his behaviour. Al-Anon and Alateen are a good resource. It can be heartbreaking watching someone you care about going through this. Just let him know that you are there to support him and try not to be too judgemental. Best of luck.

Big Bag of Chips

If the doctor thinks he needs to be hospitalised then he may suggest it to him. The doctor after talking to him may realise he is suffering from some other mental health issue and his drinking is connected to that. He is unlikely to be hospitalised purely on the basis of a 4 day bender unless he has done himself some damage that needs medical attention.

But yes, first call should be his doctor who is better qualified than any of you, or us, to decide the next step.

fuzzydunlop85

LucidLife wrote: »

Yeah quick involuntarily institutionalize him....that's exactly what your 'friend' needs! ...just consider the consequences of even attempting it ffs. Surely you/whoever is concerned can come up with a better idea and if not then leave the already hurt man the fcuk alone.

Apologies if seems blunt but I have been in your 'friends' position and you clearly have no regard for his perspective.

Wow calm the fk down , did u even read my post ? The reason I started this thread is because I don't want this to happen to him.

tomwaterford

what exactly has he done....other than blowing off steam for a few days????

Shrap

tomwaterford wrote: »

what exactly has he done....other than blowing off steam for a few days????

There's nothing normal about a 4 day bender that worries friends and relatives to the extent that they are bringing him to the doctor and contemplating further assistance for him.

I don't think there's anywhere else in Europe where a 4 day drinking binge would be seen as just "blowing off steam". Unless the person is Irish. I heard on the radio recently from an american who was explaining that emergency room doctors in the states are told to be aware that alcoholism may be a secondary condition among patients of two different nationalities. Native American Indians and Irish.

tomwaterford

Shrap wrote: »

There's nothing normal about a 4 day bender that worries friends and relatives to the extent that they are bringing him to the doctor and contemplating further assistance for him.

I don't think there's anywhere else in Europe where a 4 day drinking binge would be seen as just "blowing off steam". Unless the person is Irish. I heard on the radio recently from an american who was explaining that emergency room doctors in the states are told to be aware that alcoholism may be a secondary condition among patients of two different nationalities. Native American Indians and Irish.

other than going a bit wild on the drink...I cant really see what else he has to done to make the op think he'll be sectioned??

blacklilly

tomwaterford wrote: »

other than going a bit wild on the drink...I cant really see what else he has to done to make the op think he'll be sectioned??

I would hazard a guess that the OP doesn't want to go into specifics on it.

As another poster rightly pointed out a 4 day bender is not normal behaviour and has rightly caused his friends and family concern.

A friend of mine went on a 3 day bender that killed him. It's nearly irresponsible to suggest that a 4 day bender is just blowing off some steam

littlemisshobo

If he is considered a risk to himself by the doctor then the GP could decide to commit him; in that case he would probably first be taken to A&E and would need two signature on a committal form; usually a doctor and a family member who has seen him in the last 48hours. Alcohol abuse can often go hand in hand with a mental health issue.

Sounds like you guys have done the best thing; getting him away from the drink and to a safe place for the night, and then follow that up with a visit to the GP.

Hope he's ok and it all works out.