Forums › The Vibe › Life & Soul › Un-Fucking-Believable
My experiences with mental health faciliteis are all withing the last 11 years and the original facility I did my detox in was demolished and a new hospital built away from the general, purely for metal health problems. All wards have electronic locks but apparently a big patient has more force than the magnet trying nto stop them getting out. Their are 4 wards in the new hospital and only 1 is secure, the other 3 wards are supposed to house patients from 3 different parts of the district but that’s not always the case.
There are people on different levels of section who have various rights restricted and there are also those who are ther on a voluntary basis. Some are voluntary only because they haven’t tried to leave, if they do they will be sectioned. Some a5re voluntary because they are on detox’s and if they choose to walk out then detox over, fuck off.
I only got in for a detox as quickly as I did because I did something extreme and had a real reason to detox, but honestly, if it’s not heroin or crack and it’s not life or death, you have a tiny chance of real, effective help.
This is fairly normal across England and Wales (Scotland and NI have separate healthcare). magnet locks are only any good for keeping the seniors in (and even then they will guess the PIN code after a while as there is nothing preventing them hanging around the doorways); the advantage with them is more that they are cheap to install and deploy and don’t lock people into a building that may be on fire.
Unfortunately in England we do not have safe retirement villages like the Netherlands; Germany and Japan where the traffic is routed around them; so a lot of older people have their liberty restricted because it would be unsafe for them to wander around the village; otherwise they would be knocked down within minutes.
I’d have to look deeper into the arrangements for younger adult mental health patients in mainland Northern Europe – the impression I got on first glance is that they are more closely monitored and the standard of care may well be better but English people would find the amount of this “repressive”; and there is a lot more social engineering there to “fit in” with the “right things at the right ages”.
@General Lighting 571794 wrote:
magnet locks are only any good for keeping the seniors in (and even then they will guess the PIN code after a while as there is nothing preventing them hanging around the doorways)
I didn’t think that was legal in UK, it isn’t in Denmark.
I wish we could do the same but even the wards with alzheimer patients, we have to look out for the old and not lock them up.
If the person is in danger of harming themself we can apply for a GPS and we don’t always get it. (and they are not always that good anyway)
We have pressure mats infront of their doors, that will alarm us when they leave, even that we have to apply for, it’s not legal without permission.
We are not allowed to take them back against their will, we have to be good at communicating and guiding them home
Nope, we have magnetic locks on all the wards, at least at the psychiatric hospital near me.
the laws are now the same across the EU – only main entry/exit doors have magnet locks – residents are otherwise free to wander as they please throughout the nursing home; and if they are not allowed to go out at all they would have been assessed for deprivation of liberty (this is an EU law but its one the UK is trying to get rid of; not because they want to lock up more old people but because of the extra form that has to be filled in).
I get the impression in DK/NL/DE that they have more staff; better communications training and someone watch the CCTV properly and monitor these alarms; to be fair the UK does try to implement “European” healthcare but doesn’t want to spend just a few extra Euros to do it properly (that might also be why they got the big tax bill from EU as what it actually means is you should count growth in a countrys economy in a certain way and spend the EU grant money on the correct things in the correct order; those nations which do so don’t get such a bill or even get the money back
Not sure we have more staff. 3 people for 12 alzheimer patients. and that’s fine just till the moment when one of them do a runner, then 2 staff have to go searching for them and phoning family and police, then everything fall apart. we, thank god, don’t have 12 patients who always try and run off. Denmark have severel alzheimer patients getting lost and dying every year 🙁
Psyentist,
Not a professional, but have taken various meds including benzos and Adderall for many years to treat ADHD, and have been lucky to have very skilled, down to earth, and well respected docs during this time. Every one of them independently and without having any connection to each other have at various times indicated that benzos are hands down the most likely to have negative long-term impacts/dependency and are the most difficult to quit, and have stated that if I was looking to quit or scale back on dosages that the benzos would be first on the list. Keep in mind that in my particular case they are comparing benzos to Adderall, which is a schedule II controlled substance with high potential for abuse and dependency. I think it also says something that although there are definite withdrawal symptoms associated with the cessation of taking Adderall, the docs have never been concerned with a cold turkey approach, yet they have all been very clear that the benzos should unquestionably be phased out slowly. All that said, I think you may be underestimating the impacts of an abrupt cessation of taking benzos. I’m a pretty stable person as a whole, and simply not taking my prescribed dose for a day or two can make me an emotional wreck almost spontaneously and without any legitimate cause. In my opinion, slowly phasing out the benzos and if anything not only maintaining but even increasing your weed intake could be the best choice that you ever made, especially if you are lucky enough to be in an area where you can know what strains are available and try a few out to determine the specific balance of indica/sativa that best suits you. Infused edibles can also be an excellent way to use weed as more of a controlled medicinal. I do not consider marijuana to be addictive in and of itself, and I’ve yet to see it cause any problems for an individual by itself. It may unmask underlying issues that already exist, or encourage some bad behavior (i.e. not being motivated to get out and about when already depressed), but I firmly believe that it is in no way an initial cause. Weed has been my go-to for many many years, and I am lucky enough to live in Colorado where the laws have allowed for a great deal of new research into the wide range of benefits and differing effects from various balances of indica/sativa, THC concentrations, and CBD’s within a given strain. I personally have even been working on a project with a group of researchers from Harvard on a medication derived from a strain of cannabis that contains high CBD’s (cannabinol), but very low THC (therefore it has almost no psychoactive properties), that has had remarkable results in stabilizing major seizure disorders in small children. We are only beginning to scratch the surface. For me, a very controlled dose of the right type of weed “dumbs” down the part of my brain that drives my anxiety, but without making me stoned or temporarily dysfunctional. This is not to say that I still very much enjoy the recreational aspect when appropriate. For whatever it’s worth, I am approaching 40, and am the owner of a successful business that employs over 70 individuals, so at a minimum I can backup my belief that regular use of weed doesn’t make you stupid, unmotivated, or incapable of achieving success, and I know 100’s and 100’s of others like myself.
I guess I had a lot to say, hopefully it was of some help and some part of it made some sense. Find a doc you can relate to, stick with them and listen to what they have to say. Lose the benzos…phase them out slowly and take as much time as you need, but never go back up in your dosage and don’t try cold turkey. Take some time to do your own research on cannabis from a medicinal perspective….I think you’ll discover a great deal of insight…clearly there is some affinity or you wouldn’t be using it to begin with.
Most of all, try and displace your thoughts about ending it all with an obsessive drive to fix it all. I’ve known a lot of people, myself included, that have managed to, escape the trap of hopelessness, self-pity, and despair by simply shifting the focus to finding an answer. Funny thing is you may never find an exact answer, and I don’t think that a 100% answer even exists, but if you become obsessed with finding it a couple interesting things happen. 1). Your desire to find that perfect solution will eventually overcome your judgement/reaction to any failed efforts, and 2). If you keep at it long enough, you’ll find that your life will quietly continue in the background, and without you to get in its way (because of your focus on item #1), you just might wake up one day and find that almost without you knowing it you suddenly have a pretty damn good life…certainly not perfect, but definitely worth living.
Regards.
@Angel 571815 wrote:
Not sure we have more staff. 3 people for 12 alzheimer patients. and that’s fine just till the moment when one of them do a runner, then 2 staff have to go searching for them and phoning family and police, then everything fall apart. we, thank god, don’t have 12 patients who always try and run off. Denmark have severel alzheimer patients getting lost and dying every year 🙁
That seems like almost double the staffing levels to the UK (where we get the same problem if there is one runner) although its more likely 1.5 times the staff level but from your description it comes across that patients are admitted at far earlier stages of their illness than here. Where I work at the bulk of those who would escape are not physically capable of walking more than 5m unaided; let alone getting that much beyond the grounds of the nursing home. However traffic safety is so bad here it is not safe for them to even wander in the village or in the grounds where cars / ambulances/anything else are as they would get knocked over.
I would rather not have the magnet locks/code locks at all as its not uncommon for me to have to fix any defective ones if the other maintenance guys are on leave; and the ones which are computerised are yet another thing to go wrong. I can see why they are seen as the “least worst” solution as they at least give patients freedom of some areas; some are also used to keep doors open (for fire safety) rather than to close them.
Friend, I am really sorry for you that you are having so many troubles.
But mate, taking your own life is never the answer.
Hang in there and it will be all fine.
@wickle 571441 wrote:
Do you get withdrawal symptoms when you stop weed?
I can become highly agitated but no worse than a regular smoker in need of a cigarette. No physical signs of dependence. I do know someone who’s managed to build a physical addiction to the stuff. If he goes more than about 36 hours without a bong hit he gets a fever and develops DTs
@Boscodittweiler1 571818 wrote:
Psyentist,
Not a professional, but have taken various meds including benzos and Adderall for many years to treat ADHD, and have been lucky to have very skilled, down to earth, and well respected docs during this time. Every one of them independently and without having any connection to each other have at various times indicated that benzos are hands down the most likely to have negative long-term impacts/dependency and are the most difficult to quit, and have stated that if I was looking to quit or scale back on dosages that the benzos would be first on the list. Keep in mind that in my particular case they are comparing benzos to Adderall, which is a schedule II controlled substance with high potential for abuse and dependency. I think it also says something that although there are definite withdrawal symptoms associated with the cessation of taking Adderall, the docs have never been concerned with a cold turkey approach, yet they have all been very clear that the benzos should unquestionably be phased out slowly. All that said, I think you may be underestimating the impacts of an abrupt cessation of taking benzos. I’m a pretty stable person as a whole, and simply not taking my prescribed dose for a day or two can make me an emotional wreck almost spontaneously and without any legitimate cause. In my opinion, slowly phasing out the benzos and if anything not only maintaining but even increasing your weed intake could be the best choice that you ever made, especially if you are lucky enough to be in an area where you can know what strains are available and try a few out to determine the specific balance of indica/sativa that best suits you. Infused edibles can also be an excellent way to use weed as more of a controlled medicinal. I do not consider marijuana to be addictive in and of itself, and I’ve yet to see it cause any problems for an individual by itself. It may unmask underlying issues that already exist, or encourage some bad behavior (i.e. not being motivated to get out and about when already depressed), but I firmly believe that it is in no way an initial cause. Weed has been my go-to for many many years, and I am lucky enough to live in Colorado where the laws have allowed for a great deal of new research into the wide range of benefits and differing effects from various balances of indica/sativa, THC concentrations, and CBD’s within a given strain. I personally have even been working on a project with a group of researchers from Harvard on a medication derived from a strain of cannabis that contains high CBD’s (cannabinol), but very low THC (therefore it has almost no psychoactive properties), that has had remarkable results in stabilizing major seizure disorders in small children. We are only beginning to scratch the surface. For me, a very controlled dose of the right type of weed “dumbs” down the part of my brain that drives my anxiety, but without making me stoned or temporarily dysfunctional. This is not to say that I still very much enjoy the recreational aspect when appropriate. For whatever it’s worth, I am approaching 40, and am the owner of a successful business that employs over 70 individuals, so at a minimum I can backup my belief that regular use of weed doesn’t make you stupid, unmotivated, or incapable of achieving success, and I know 100’s and 100’s of others like myself.
I guess I had a lot to say, hopefully it was of some help and some part of it made some sense. Find a doc you can relate to, stick with them and listen to what they have to say. Lose the benzos…phase them out slowly and take as much time as you need, but never go back up in your dosage and don’t try cold turkey. Take some time to do your own research on cannabis from a medicinal perspective….I think you’ll discover a great deal of insight…clearly there is some affinity or you wouldn’t be using it to begin with.
Most of all, try and displace your thoughts about ending it all with an obsessive drive to fix it all. I’ve known a lot of people, myself included, that have managed to, escape the trap of hopelessness, self-pity, and despair by simply shifting the focus to finding an answer. Funny thing is you may never find an exact answer, and I don’t think that a 100% answer even exists, but if you become obsessed with finding it a couple interesting things happen. 1). Your desire to find that perfect solution will eventually overcome your judgement/reaction to any failed efforts, and 2). If you keep at it long enough, you’ll find that your life will quietly continue in the background, and without you to get in its way (because of your focus on item #1), you just might wake up one day and find that almost without you knowing it you suddenly have a pretty damn good life…certainly not perfect, but definitely worth living.
Regards.
A late reply and I know you’re probably not about any more but never mind.
I appreciate your insightful advice but I can guarantee that the benzos are not problematic for me. I’ve been taking then on and off for years, usually in short but heavy spells of use. I’ve never once experienced any withdrawal effects from abruptly stopping their use, although I’m aware suddenly stopping such high doses would have serious implications for most. But I can take them or leave them at any time, I often go months without so much as thinking of them.
Unfortunately, although I am relatively knowledgeable on the science of cannabis, I do not live in an area where many others are. I live in the UK so dealers don’t tend to have a clue what strain or type (Sativa or Indica) they’re selling. This means selecting a more suitable variety for myself isn’t an option without further breaking the law and growing it myself.
I’m just trying to stop the smoking altogether now anyway, I’ve been doing it long enough and I’ve destroyed enough brain cells in the process.
Hi Psy,
Hang in there mate, we here at least would miss your ass. A friend of mine had similar issues, well kind of similar, in some way at least, fuk he had problems any way.
He is a very smart man and now says he basically swapped one addiction for another, a healthy one. He now eats a very strict diet and trains on a daily basis to the point of addiction. He never misses a specific meal or training session and is now looking and feeling a million dollars.
Maybe try and do something similar, something else to center your thoughts and put your energies into. Swap your current addiction for something else that is positive in its effects.
Good luck mate, remember we love you, well like you a lot, well don’t mind you, fuk we let you hang around any way.
Steve xo
@SteveCooper 583082 wrote:
Hi Psy,
Hang in there mate, we here at least would miss your ass. A friend of mine had similar issues, well kind of similar, in some way at least, fuk he had problems any way.
He is a very smart man and now says he basically swapped one addiction for another, a healthy one. He now eats a very strict diet and trains on a daily basis to the point of addiction. He never misses a specific meal or training session and is now looking and feeling a million dollars.
Maybe try and do something similar, something else to center your thoughts and put your energies into. Swap your current addiction for something else that is positive in its effects.Good luck mate, remember we love you, well like you a lot, well don’t mind you, fuk we let you hang around any way.
Steve xo
Thanks for the encouraging words buddy. This is a bit of an outdated thread. My issues are still ongoing but I recently got admitted into a psychiatric ward and there I was forced through a spell of sobriety; which did me a world of good. My attitude to drugs, mainly cannabis has changed. I just didn’t have the will power to stop of my own accord. But being in a place where I knew I couldn’t smoke it broke that psychological need for it, and as a result sobriety felt good for the first time in about 6 or 7 years
Just slipping down again these last couple of days, but even non-depressives don’t spend every day happy so trying not to think too much of it.
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Forums › The Vibe › Life & Soul › Un-Fucking-Believable
