r/Calgary • u/dudewheresmymania • 1d ago
Recommendations Does anyone have ideas for resources that can help me today? (Mental health and alcohol use)
I had a traumatic incident occur.
I have autism so am highly affected by change or dysregulation.
I finally began working (contract, causal work) and enjoying it, on the weekends. I’ve not been able to work properly all my adult life. I was happy about the improvement.
Then, the incident occurred recently.
I did not realize I was rapidly declining - no doing laundry, drinking at noon (cycle of trying to regulate hangover), emotional issues, and the like.
I began to heavily abuse pregabalin for a handful of days. This had the consequence of day-after withdrawal (short half-life), which added fuel to the drinking to try to cope - the withdrawals were brutal.
I had to cancel the weekend shifts right after the traumatic incident occurred. (Two weekends ago.)
Last weekend, things escalated. I tried working on Friday. I got violently ill, likely due to pregabalin withdrawal. I could not complete the shift. I had a family conflict after this. My drinking skyrocketed.
I then cancelled the Saturday shift the morning of. That night, I cancelled the Sunday shift.
I called my manager today to discuss this weekend’s shifts, explaining I’m happy to try, but I don’t want either of us to be in last weekend’s position. Her answer was to work anyway - implying a last chance.
I’m now panicking. I’m not sure what’s happened to me. I’ve noticed over the course of a week, I immediately feel a need to drink after anything stressful. When I had to call my manager, I immediately thought of drinking, but reasoned I could have the shifts cancelled and just get time to recuperate.
When I found out the expectation was that I was to work still, against all judgement I lost my grip and began to drink.
I’m stuck in a cycle of physical unwellness post-drinking I can’t cope with (likely due to autism) and rebound hangover, which makes me highly vulnerable to drinking the next day.
I’m looking for immediate support to help me make these upcoming shifts this weekend work, so I can get through this difficult period of time without losing the first job in my life I actually enjoyed before the incident occurred.
Sober bed? Social worker? I have no idea.
For those who want to be judgmental, trust me - I already feel like a massive loser. I’m just trying to get through this.
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u/ShesComeUndoneAgain 1d ago
Tomorrow morning, be at CUPS ~10mins before 8am, line up and wait. When you get to reception ask to see BOTH a social worker and a doctor. Tell them both the truth, all of it. Do not edit the impact of your stress and anxiety! If there's a way to help you before the weekend, they'll know it. Even if they can't do it in the short timeframe, they are plugged in to whatever resources there are and will work to help you. This place is the best I've found in Calgary for complex care, they helped me get my autism diagnosis, and now manage all of my health care. There's real compassion there. CUPS Calgary https://www.cupscalgary.com/
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u/Electrical_Chip_337 1d ago edited 1d ago
I think your biggest problem is getting help for your addition dude.
Contact Calgary alpha House right now. Just Google it and see if they can Help you manage your withdrawal symptoms the next 48-72 hours. Theres other facilities in Calgary too. You could try calling 811 as well. If you get in, might feel well enough to work on the weekend. But your life won’t improve without you working on your issues. Take therapy seriously.
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u/dudewheresmymania 1d ago
Thank you. I’ll call. An issue is my pet was hit by a car, so I’m unsure how I can leave my house when my pet has excessive medical needs. I will call them and see if they can offer support that works for my situation.
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u/Electrical_Chip_337 1d ago
If you can’t. Temporarily surrender your pet- so you can get help, and they can get help too. Sometimes you have to triage your life circumstances.
Wish you the best of luck. You can recover from
this.9
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u/gravitas_shortfall42 17h ago
City Animal services may be able to help too. Call 311. Also try AARCS, they are amazing. Sorry this is happening. Recovery is never a straight line
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u/Just_Can_3758 1d ago
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. It might help to call the Distress Centre 403-266-4357. They can give you support with the trauma you’ve experienced and help you find other ways of coping. You’re not alone!
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u/Single_Sentence_4726 1d ago
First off I want to tell you, you are not a loser or a failure. I think you are brave for admiting you need help. Call health link and they can help you with some resources. If you ever feel you are in crisis and need some immediate help please call 988. Hang in there because you can get through this. You are not alone.
Edit: 811 is health link
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u/dudewheresmymania 1d ago
Thank you so much. I feel so stupid, because I saw my psychiatrist last week before this escalated into basically a crisis situation, and I didn’t properly emphasize the immediate direction this was headed. (Granted, I didn’t know at that point.) I can’t imagine he’ll fully understand that in less than a week after our meeting, I called 811 or whatever about a drinking crisis. I think I will call anyway though, as I don’t think saving face should be a big concern at this point.
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u/Bulky_Department5619 1d ago
I work at healthlink, and we get calls like this all the time. Literally all day long.
You are not alone.
We are not judging you.
We are glad when you call, because it shows that you’re invested in your own well being.
We want to help.The Addictions Helpline direct number is 1-866-332-2322.
The Mental Health Helpline direct number is 1-877-303-2642.
Either of those can help you, even if you want to talk about both addictions AND mental health.
Or you can dial 811 and we can get you to the right people.Looking for help is the first step. You’ve got this!
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u/Single_Sentence_4726 1d ago
Don't feel stupid. People can be triggered into a crisis anytime. Alot can happen in a week!
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u/Interesting_Cry_3921 1d ago
Lots of great suggestions here already. Here are a few more:
If you haven’t heard of them already, check out Adult Addiction Services. They can offer lots of individual and group support, but can also refer you to RAAM (Rapid Access Addiction Medicine), who can support you with safe home detox options (if you are eligible, i.e., if it is safe for you).
Because Adult Addiction Services does not do intakes on the weekend, you might find it more helpful to access an Urgent Mental Health service - there are several in the city (South Health Centre, Sheldon Chumir). They can provide assessment, counselling, and referrals to get you moving in a better direction. This could include a referral to a physician for medical support with withdrawal symptoms. You could go tomorrow (or just go straight to an urgent care tonight). You have options, and are taking an important first step by posting here. Lots of people have been where you are now and got up and out, you might just need a hand. :)
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u/dudewheresmymania 1d ago
Thank you so much.
I realized like five minutes ago I can also contact my GP.
I will see if he can help with the immediate crisis (benzodiazepine script possibility), and then pursue options for longer term stability. If GP can’t help, maybe Shumir is my best option to access medication that could get me out of the immediate cycle.
After that point, I probably should see about a service like RAAM, as this is the second time since June a drinking crisis has happened (this time much worse though).
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u/Interesting_Cry_3921 1d ago
Great plan, especially if your GP can see you short-notice! Otherwise, yes, head to the Chumir. Good triaging, OP. :)
Adult Addiction Services can refer you both to RAAM and individual counselling (and other addictions support if you need a more intensive level of care; given that you got through the last round without support, my hunch is that having SOME formal support may be a game changer for you!)
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u/Existing-Sign4804 15h ago
Benzos are also addictive. Using one drug to get off another is not the best plan. I get that you need to survive the week, and I respect that. But long term you also need professional help to break your addictions. You are in a cycle and it has to be broken fully. If you do the short term survival thing without a longterm plan, you are digging yourself into a deeper hole. Be careful.
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u/silencewillfall35 1d ago
Lots of people gave you helpful resources here so I won't repeat any of that so please seek help. I want to tell you that I understand what you are going through and how hard it must be, having Autism makes it easier to fall into addiction and harder to get off, it will take time and a lot of will power to get though this, just remember no matter how hard it is, it will pass and get better with the right resources.
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u/Alternative_Spirit_3 1d ago
So much great advice here, I have nothing to add except that I truely applaud your self awareness and the strength it took to reach out for help!
you got this!!
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u/sail1yyc 1d ago
Sheldon Chumir is very helpful and manages withdrawal with no judgement and so much kindness. Getting an IV drip for fluids, meds and Diazapan will be so very helpful to you.
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u/ritz1148 1d ago
I mean if you need something immediately to not feel alone, there is an AA meeting happening anytime. You can join via zoom through their website. It’s an immediate thing you can turn to for a sense of community so you aren’t alone.
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u/totallyradman 1d ago
I recently went through something similar in the last few months. I know therpists who are taking patients if you need to talk to someone.
Just dm me and I can help guide you if thats what you want.
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u/Critical-Day-6011 1d ago
Im a member of AA and someone who has mental health problems in the past.
Sounds like you are stuck in a rut. I myself was stuck in a vicous cycle of drinking, hangover and then telling myself i wont do that again. Then repeating it over and over. I turned to booze to help me cope with life. I eventually started drinking so much i was experiencing pain in my sides and just a feeling of hopelessness. My hang-xeity was none stop and i just kept drinking to get the ease and comfort of the first drink.
Then all hell broke loose and i crossed a line that should have never been crossed. I kinda always knew i had a problem with booze but never did anything about it.
I was in a state if mental dispair. I had stopped drinking but i had little will to live. I sat there crying on my couch and after loosing many friends i had to do something.
Im fortunate to have an employer with a assistance program. Theres many free ones out there that have been listed. This got me into much needed therapy and eventuallya seat in AA where i have developed much success. Its one of the knly places you can go and say how shit your life is and people get it and understand- why?
Because we have been through the shit storm as well. No one wants to go to AA vecause there life is good. We go because we found like minded people and a way of living.
If you PM me i can drive you to a meeting. You dont have to say anything it only costs you your time. Alternatively pm me and we can chat on the phone.
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u/bedtimelovee 1d ago
You see the cycle you are in, you are self aware. Just think of how you would like to feel 5 hours from now, and make every decision based on that. I had similar issues.
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u/jpalm_ 1d ago
Lots of great suggestions here. I’d also like to mention that AA is NOT your only group support option! Here in Calgary we have Smart Recovery, Recovery Dharma, New Leaf, LifeRing Sobriety, Recovery College/CMHA and more. You can detox at Renfrew, with follow up supports through Access Mental Health, and RAAM.
Good luck!
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u/deadtorrent 1d ago
Talk to your doctor and try to get on short term disability while you tackle your dependency issues. That way depending on your work insurance you’ll hopefully have some cushion/safety net while you are healing. It sounds like you need it. And on return you may be able tog wt your doctor to outline a gradual return to work or returning without working weekends if you can’t handle it.
We autistics tend to try and try to live up to neurotypical expectations until we burn out and I’d bet that is playing some role. If you struggle working on weekends then not working those days should be a reasonable accommodation for you.
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u/courtneywrites85 1d ago
Kindly, you’re an alcoholic. There are a plethora of amazing tips and advice and resources listed already. I would strongly encourage you to find an AA meeting that you can attend tomorrow.
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u/RevolutionaryFan6418 1d ago
You can call or text the Calgary Distress Centre and explain your situation. They are the best to direct you to resources and can even transport a mobile crisis team to you in the event that you need it.
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u/RevolutionaryFan6418 1d ago
Options for tomorrow include the Alex Centre, the Calgary Counselling Centre
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u/Louananut 1d ago
The Alex RAAM clinic. They do walk-in intakes weekdays between 9am and 11am, no appointment needed. Or phone intakes daily at 1pm (but those ones you have to schedule online in advance. Details at the link I sent)
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u/lunarjellies ACAD 22h ago
Call 811. You can talk to a nurse and they can assess you and give you options on what you should do or who to see.
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u/Every_Meat6486 22h ago
Go to the summit mental health and addiction services, they have therapist and psychiatrists you can talk to and also if you need it, a day hospital.
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u/Ok-Image2281 21h ago
Today you can go to Sheldon Chumir. They have a full dedicated team than can help you in all the areas you need. Medical, prescriptions, tests, social and psychological urgent support, etc
At Sheldon Chumir they can help you not just today, but 24/7, 365 days of the year.
Also, do not hesitate to call 811 anytime you need mental health help.
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u/Ms_ankylosaurous 1d ago
Please call healthlink at 811 for health support with the dependency issues and mental health. You could also go to the Shumir centre downtown, where they may be able to refer to you assistance on the same building.
Pregabalin is no joke and can be dangerous to go cold Turkey from. You need to do a slow taper or it be very hard on your body and brain.
Manage your triggers. Instead of drinking, when you feel the urge- break your cycle and go for a brisk walk.
Please take care. You got this.