tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550542818993957125.post8692265677811631896..comments2023-10-30T09:19:50.592+00:00Comments on The Beauty Offensive: Addictsseahorsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04006649663400552591noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550542818993957125.post-10029652267431382132007-09-19T18:00:00.000+01:002007-09-19T18:00:00.000+01:00Mary: I think the main thing is that S is treated,...Mary: I think the main thing is that S is treated, and waiting 9 months for her programme to start is only prolonging the situation you outline above.<BR/>No, what you describe may not be as 'voter-friendly', and I'm sure many a person would turn purple in the face and mutter about their taxes...<BR/>But if she is incapacitated because of her addiction and unable to work she is entitled to those benefits. The issue of what being on benefits or dependent on charities does to your self-esteem is probably worth another post. But for her, all that will be addressed in her treatment programme. If she is spending a large proportion of her benefits on heroin it only underlines the fact that she needs treatment. <BR/>And the fact remains that Drug Action Teams receive a lot of funding to help people off illegal drugs, and that is the funding I see as 'voter friendly'. The statistical link between drug addiction and opportunistic crime is an oft-trumpeted one in the tabloids, and so the Government prioritises the 'causes of crime' which includes getting people into rehab. <BR/>The spending disparity I'm on about lies in the fact that there are no structured services in place for those seeking intensive support for withdrawal from prescription drugs.<BR/>I hope S gets through her treatment and successfully withdraws from heroin. Treat the addiction and the person will emerge.seahorsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04006649663400552591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550542818993957125.post-4604157083447654192007-09-19T09:53:00.000+01:002007-09-19T09:53:00.000+01:00Best of luck with the new medicobod.As for expense...Best of luck with the new medicobod.<BR/><BR/>As for expense and crime... S gets incapacity benefit and DLA high rate care/low rate mobility, a total of about £170 each week from central government. This mostly goes to her dealer, as local government pays her housing and council tax (about £100 a week) and religious and voluntary groups keep her fed and clothed.<BR/><BR/>This means that S is not obliged to commit crime (other than the purchase of heroin) to have a comfortable lifestyle.<BR/><BR/>I'm not convinced this is, as you put it, a "voter-friendly" approach. She herself thinks it's slightly messed-up, although of course she's not about to refuse free money.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11639094548415759560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550542818993957125.post-91188398665088086692007-09-18T12:26:00.000+01:002007-09-18T12:26:00.000+01:00Tayi: Hi and welcome. It can be hard to know what ...Tayi: Hi and welcome. It can be hard to know what to put in a comment I know, but it's good that you've stopped by and you are welcome any time comments or not.<BR/><BR/>Miss V: I think a plan will come together this way far better than under mental health services. I received half the month's dose for the sleeping pill, haven't cut it down so if he refuses to put it up again I run out completely next week. That would be dangerous. I'm sure he doesn't want to be sued :)<BR/>Thanks so much for your support. I'm registering with benzo.org.uk today. I don't know if they will be able to help me, because of the nature and extent of my disability, but I think trying to get help is a start.seahorsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04006649663400552591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550542818993957125.post-47535116927655543732007-09-18T08:45:00.000+01:002007-09-18T08:45:00.000+01:00Hello, Seahorse,"I will be patching together my ow...Hello, Seahorse,<BR/><BR/>"I will be patching together my own support programme for my withdrawal from prescription drugs"<BR/><BR/>This really is the way to go, not least because understanding of this issue by the medical profession is so woefully inadequate; they tend to treat it like heroin withdrawal, if you like - 'once the drug's out of your system then that's it'. Not so. If you can, try and print off the Ashton Manual and give this to your doctors; the information in it will help. It's very important that your doctors allow you to go at the slow pace stated within. If you have problems with this, when you get to benzo.org.uk, ask them about their list of 'benzo-wise' doctors. This was something being put together when I was there, and hopefully should turn up something in your area.<BR/><BR/>I'm so glad you've decided to give benzo.org.uk a go. Most importantly, they have the knowledge and expertise to help you withdraw *safely*. Assuming it still works the same way, when you first get there, they'll keep you in a sort of 'holding area' of the forum while working out a taper plan for you before you get access to the rest of the forum and the support within. This sounds odd, but it gives the admins and mods a chance to familiarise themselves with your situation and give you the best possible help. Added to that, the emotional support you'll get there is second to none. Everyone there has been through it, and sometimes just getting reassurance that what you're experiencing is normal for w/d can be worth its weight in gold.<BR/><BR/>It made me angry, and sad to the point of feeling as if I was going to well up, to read that your dose was halved like that by ignorance and I'm sorry you were put in that position. Too much of this goes on, and I hope it didn't affect you too badly. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for stopping by at my place, too, and if I can help in any way then please do stop by again and let me know.<BR/><BR/>MVMiss Vertigohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07864666252322761593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3550542818993957125.post-9187884316783181992007-09-18T02:00:00.000+01:002007-09-18T02:00:00.000+01:00Hello. I wanted to tell you, I've started reading ...Hello. I wanted to tell you, I've started reading your blog. It's lovely. I have a tendency to lurk and not leave comments because I never know what to say, but I thought I would leave at least one so you would know that someone is reading.Tayihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00475323690049542329noreply@blogger.com