What to tell school psychiatrist?

[Mass08]

Hi All,

I'm new to posting on bluelight, though i've been reading the forum for quite some time. I've been addicted to brown for the past ~6 months, not a terrible habit but still has to deal with quite painful W/D. I'm is sick and tired of being sick and tired and wants to get out before he/she gets any deeper. I'm currently 7 day's clean (no subs or anything) but sadly will probably relapse in the next few days. The question I have for all of you guys is that I have an appointment with my college psychiatrist next week, should I be completely honest with him and tell them about my addiction? Or would that be unwise, and I should consult a psychiatrist outside of my university? The reason I made an appointment through the school is so I could see someone a lot quicker than waiting months for the outside psychiatrists around him.

Thank you much

 

[NeighborhoodThreat]

We don't use SWIM here.

 

[effie]

Hi there, welcome to TDS! As NeighborhoodThreat said we don't use SWIM on BL - please edit your post, or I can do it for you

I am sorry about your problems with heroin addiction, it sounds like you have had a really hard time lately but it is brilliant that you want to get some help now before things get too bad. You should be proud of that!

Doctors (inc psychiatrists) are bound by confidentiality. Telling the truth - especially to a psychiatrist - is really important if you want them to be able to help you. I am from the UK and am not sure where you live and what the guidelines are there, so if you are unsure about what they are allowed to disclose without your permission (usually only something that can cause harm to yourself or others - drug addiction wouldn't be covered by this here, it's more if you are suicidal/homicidal etc) then you could clarify that with them at the start of your appointment..

I'm really pleased that you are getting some help, and I agree that seeing someone quickly is a good plan! However it is essential that you can be entirely honest with your psychiatrist, so if you can't with your school one for whatever reason then perhaps it might be sensible to find a different one.

Good luck

 

[Mass08]

Thanks so much for the quick reply, I edited my post. Awesome, I will ask them at the beginning of the session exactly what they are allowed to say or not say and then I will be completely honest with them. Thank you for the support!!!

 

[RedLeader]

If you have anything that could show up on a medical record check or a general background check, then you need to be honest. For example, if you were in a Suboxone program in the past, you have to assume that this doctor can access this information. As well, if you have any legal troubles on file, then you have to assume that the doctor can find out about this. The only time when lying won't necessarily get you into trouble is if there's absolutely nothing on paper that would contradict anything you say. The last psychiatrist I saw did a full background check for me before my initial appointment (which was a bit creepy...I feel like he's probably reading this right now...hi doctor!), and essentially knew everything. I'm not saying that every doctor will do that, but you have to assume as much if you are even thinking about lying to hide an addiction.

If you're going to see the psychiatrist because you actually want help, then tell him everything. Your psychiatrist cannot turn you over to the cops because you admit to drug abuse, but he could make a mess of things for you if he thinks you're playing him to get a script and he catches you in outright lies. If you're going to see the psychiatrist to honour someone else's wishes, I would tell him upfront about this, as it will help him better understand how you conduct yourself at the session.

I hope your doctor is a good one. A great psychiatrist can really help a troubled person out, so do try and keep an open mind to any advice he gives you. If you don't like the doctor as much, just know that you'll never have to see him again if you don't want to.

 

[Vaya]

In my opinion, the whole purpose of getting a psychiatrist or psychologist is to have some to bare your soul to - however troubled and twisted your perception of yourself may seem at the time. My experience has shown me that a good doctor can serve as a mirror for your own thoughts - reflecting what you tell them back on you, such that you begin to see it in a different light.

Actively participating in your treatment will only benefit you. My suggestion is to be rigorously honest to the best of your ability. If you omit something, you always have the option of presenting it later. However, the longer you wait to be honest, the greater your chances of relapsing and losing what you've amounted.

(Congratulations on your seven days clean, BTW!! Without Suboxone, that's impressive, and as you well know the withdrawals are largely over at this point; for me, days 3 and 4 were always the worst - then my head [and thus, my perspective!] began to clear).

If you know you're going to relapse, consider what it is that you've achieved so far, and consider why it is that you believe you're going to relapse. Some mindfulness would be very useful to you in this situation. Examine your intentions in your mind; rotate them as you would a physical object, examining every groove and corner of your intentions and emotions so that you better understand yourself. I feel that a large portion of the time I personally relapsed, it was due to absolute confusion in my self-perception; perhaps it would be wise to address that. I feel for your struggle.

Best of luck!

~ vaya

Edit: Welcome, of course, to The Dark Side

 

[mrflowers00]

feel free to be open with the school psych doc as long as they have you sign a confidentiality contract