Alcohol - Addiction - Anyone been to the Priory?

[Steve-ecgku]

I have swapped usernames as I want to stay relatively anonymous.

I am currently on the third day in The Priory on an addiction program as I effectively had a mental breakdown a few weeks ago. Ruined my marriage and the relationship with my children and I’m in pieces.

Has anyone been on the program? I’m finding it hard.

[VFX_Artist]

Yep, I was an in patient for circa 3months many many years ago.
It is hard, but that's the point. If it was easy then you wouldn't need to be there.
Are you in the one by Richmond park?

One thing to note is that the people who were there to get help, in general did. But some of the celebrities/models who were there because their agents told them to, obviously had no intention of improving.

You have done the hardest bit, just make sure you don't have to do the hard bit again.

If you do want to do it, then it will certainly change your life for the better.

Edited by VFX_Artist on Sunday 17th May 13:44

[Wacky Racer]

Nothing to add except good luck, when you are at the bottom the only way is up.

[Shadowy_me]

Thank you for sharing. Yes I am in the one by Richmond park and an in-patient on the 28 day addiction program.

I am having a hard time purely feeling confined and very anxious when left to my own devices. Because of Covid it seems that a lot of the activities are not happening — so there are sessions from 10am -> 5pm (although earlier today) and then you are just left. One of my triggers is travelling for work and being left on my own in a hotel room and alcohol was consumed to stop the loneliness.

So I am trying to read, get better, post on here occasionally (with my proper username) and so on, but I’m incredibly lonely, anxious and just generally want to run. Plus I don’t really have anyone I can talk to about all of this as I have few friends all of whom do not know about me.

It is only day 3, day 2 I guess as I was admitted on Friday and that was just forms, blood tests, more forms etc.. perhaps during the week it’ll be better.

[The Mad Monk]

Wacky Racer said:

Nothing to add except good luck, when you are at the bottom the only way is up.

I have always found that a good cliche is helpful when you are having a mental breakdown.

It sort of puts everything in perspective.

[williamp]

Stay strong. You can do this! And you will come out of it better.

Listen to this:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VjEq-r2agqc

[Roguexcess]

My family wanted me to go but I refused.

If i do go though I would try my hardest... whatever that means

not per OP but is it really full of models who dont want to be there?

[Wacky Racer]

The Mad Monk said:

Wacky Racer said:

Nothing to add except good luck, when you are at the bottom the only way is up.

I have always found that a good cliche is helpful when you are having a mental breakdown.

It sort of puts everything in perspective.

No need to be sarcastic. Sometimes when you are in the pits it is helpful to have something to look forward and aspire to.

[VFX_Artist]

Shadowy_me said:

Thank you for sharing. Yes I am in the one by Richmond park and an in-patient on the 28 day addiction program.

I am having a hard time purely feeling confined and very anxious when left to my own devices. Because of Covid it seems that a lot of the activities are not happening — so there are sessions from 10am -> 5pm (although earlier today) and then you are just left. One of my triggers is travelling for work and being left on my own in a hotel room and alcohol was consumed to stop the loneliness.

So I am trying to read, get better, post on here occasionally (with my proper username) and so on, but I’m incredibly lonely, anxious and just generally want to run. Plus I don’t really have anyone I can talk to about all of this as I have few friends all of whom do not know about me.

It is only day 3, day 2 I guess as I was admitted on Friday and that was just forms, blood tests, more forms etc.. perhaps during the week it’ll be better.

This is the true challenge..its not the alcohol/drugs/etc....they are just a way of filling time...a guaranteed feel good. But as we all know its not a true/lasting/sustainable feel good.

If you can learn to cope with boredom in a healthy way...then you have done it. Try something creative.....paint/sculpt/build a model....i found it better than reading a book as you have the physical record of your achievement.

Best of luck, and if you want to chat privately (to someone who has been there), then go for it. One thing i have found is that i am a lot more open about my issues now....society is so much more accepting of health/mental health etc these days.

[Bob-iylho]

Don't listen to any thing on an internet forum. Listen to your mentors in the priory and attend meetings when you leave.
I'm many years sober, my life has gone from absolutely dire to pretty incredible, stick with it.

[Shadowy_me]

Thank you all for your replies. There are no models here, super model or otherwise at the moment. Although they are here during “normal” times apparently. I chose the Priory as there are not that many options and BUPA covers this one thankfully.

It is true about opening up, I have spent some of my time in the evenings calling people who have known me for years and letting them know where I am and how I got here. They are shocked, very very surprised at my problems and supportive. I am grateful that I have been given this opportunity to sort myself out and hopefully repair the relationships that I have destroyed with my family.

[Shadowy_me]

So I am still here, finding it difficult and claustrophobic especially as the weather starts to get warmer. I’m still not sure about the therapy — it starts at 10am and is over by 3:45pm and the majority of the sessions being ‘group sharing’. I thought it would get better during the weekdays, but it has stayed the same.

I’m in here for ‘good faith’ to try and restore some level of relationship but it’s going to be a very long three weeks more if I can manage it.

(And just noticed that I changed my username so the first post doesn’t look like it is from me)

Edited by Shadowy_me on Thursday 21st May 09:11

[Davey S2]

What facilities do they have there? If there's a gym throw yourself into training. Swap one unhealthy addiction for a healthy one.

Good luck with it all.

[CinnamonFan]

Shadowy_me said:

So I am still here, finding it difficult and claustrophobic especially as the weather starts to get warmer. I’m still not sure about the therapy — it starts at 10am and is over by 3:45pm and the majority of the sessions being ‘group sharing’. I thought it would get better during the weekdays, but it has stayed the same.

I’m in here for ‘good faith’ to try and restore some level of relationship but it’s going to be a very long three weeks more if I can manage it.

(And just noticed that I changed my username so the first post doesn’t look like it is from me)

Edited by Shadowy_me on Thursday 21st May 09:11

I imagine it took a long time for you to reach this stage. It will take time, effort and the will to turn this around.

In patient admissions for addiction are very difficult to get with the NHS. Give this go all you have. Make decisions your future self will thankyou for.

In the past I have helped run groups like those you mention. Although everyones situation is different you can learn from others experience, whats helped, what hasnt.

The recovery doesn't end with discharge, its a constant thing. You can do this, give yourself time to not be perfect. Have an end goal in mind, picture yourself somewhere after this is behind you, focus on it, then plan on how to reach it.

If i can be of help, even just to listen/read emails PM me.

[CharlieH89]

Good luck.
You’re clearly doing this to achieve something positive.
Stick to that thought and aim and take out as much as you can from what they have to offer.

[anonymous-user]

Best of luck with seeing this through, I’m sure you can do it!

A couple of suggestions from me, are you able to get out and exercise at all? If so, a jog, walk etc in the fresh air and sunshine will help. Secondly, check out Michael Sealey on YouTube. He has a massive collection of meditations which can help in all sorts of different situations. I never used to understand meditation until it tried it and stuck at it, it’s massively relaxing and can bring a serenity at times which can be tough mentally - https://www.youtube.com/user/MichaelSealey

Will keep following your progress, let us know how it’s going.

[Baldchap]

Smash it. I drink too much by far but have settled on a 4 off/3 on pattern to keep me alive. I'd quite happily do three crates a day and the days off keep me honest. Be interested to know what, beyond not giving you any ale, you learn in there. Any tips?

[Shadowy_me]

Thank you for the replies. The facilities are all closed: Gym, swimming, even walking in Richmond Park. So I still feel that coming here at this time is a bit of a waste of time. For example yesterday (Sunday), started at 10am, 11am was watching a video, then lunch, then 20 minutes meditation and that was it. So it finished at 2:20pm. And then the rest of the time was free. Which you can of course use for self reflection etc, but I expected and want a bit more structure.


It’s not all a waste of time, as I genuinely have learnt from others experience and have a better understanding of the impact that I have had on others (mainly my children) because of drinking. I haven’t really mentioned my problem, but basically I was drinking in secret every night for 25 years. Not lots (4-6 cans of beer) but enough for it certainly to be classed as an addiction, plus some other issues.

Thankfully I know longer have the urge to run, so I’ve settled in, but I do not feel that the program is worth it at all. I would recommend it only if someone needed to detox and physically kept apart from their addiction for 28 days (I completely gave up drinking before Christmas). As I mentioned above, I’m still here as I want to show others (my family) that I am going to stick with the program and hopefully get some semblance of a life when I leave here, although I’m not too hopeful about that.

[The Mad Monk]

Richmond Park isn't shut to pedestrians. Is it?

[Shadowy_me]

No, but they don’t want us to mix with the public as we were Covid tested on entry. Which considering it is a park and social distancing is a bit overkill ... plus all the caterers, health care assistants and doctors all go out into the world and then come back here.