Addiction Specialist question please....

[wannaBfree464]

I went to a Addiction Specialist today but I walked out. The lady never introduced herself. My first time going and she puts me in a room with 4 guys to answer questions and fill out forms. Throws down a plastic tube on the table and expected me to know it was for a blow test. They never told me it was going to be like that. Is that the way it always is? I was all worked up and ready to tell my story. I never felt so embarrassed and low life like that in my life. Is this the way they all are?

[SuzzQ]

Week before last I went to this place for quitting drugs and group meetings, and it was nothing like that.  They were very nice, but trying very hard to talk me into taking saboxne.. I told them no..  Now, I'm very glad I didn't take it, after reading all the stuff people write in here.  They have group meetings, but, right now I am not interested in that at all.  I just want to stay away from everyone in the world.  I'm usually a social person, but forget that right now.. Sorry, I've strayed from the subject.. NO, they are not all like that at all.. You went to some bad place... I think that is horrible!!!!  Don't go there again!!!  What creeps!!

[kolo13]

No, certainly not. I have a wonderful doctor who is an addiction specialist who devoted her life to helping addicts because her mother died of an overdose when she was a child. When I went to see her she made time to listen to my story and work out a plan to fit my situation. I do know however, because my wife is the CEO of a community health care organization, that all of the places that treat addiction and chronic pain are absolutely overwhelmed right now. The need is so much greater than the resources available. I think that people are lucky if they can find any kind of help at all. I suspect that if you had gotten a little farther into that system you eventually would have gotten past the impersonal intake procedure and maybe seen a doctor who would have treated you with compassion. I'm sorry though that you were treated that way upon arrival. You were probably dealing with a low paid intake clerk to begin with. If you want help you might consider steeling yourself to get through that first step and seeing what is available once you actually get set up to meet with one of the professionals there. Now that I think about it when I first went to see my wonderful doctor I first had to fill out paperwork, and submit urine, for an overworked, impersonal nurses assistant.  Good luck.

[ZJILLIAN]

You know, unfortunately, **************, counselors, therapists, doctors, AA/NA groups are pretty much like anything else in life, there are really great, really mediocre, really bad, and truly horrible and hurtful ones. I think you got a taste of the last kind. Don't let it stop you!

Keep looking! There are wonderful people out there and sometimes it is not the "specialist" who is best for you.