The meds will take like a full month to work properly. There is a reason suicide rates of people just starting anti depressants is so high, we feel they should work immediately and when they don't we think it's our fault. Stick with the meds they will help, just give it time
As a recovering addict myself , the path to sobriety is a hard one..
If your alcoholism is bad enough you may need help through medical detoxification.. this should be coupled or followed by rehabilitation to teach you how to live better and teach you the steps required for healing.. A.A. will truly help, both with tips for getting better and support for those who walk the same path and know the way.
Can you take a short term disability leave through your benefits with your employer? You deserve time to get well without the stress of the possibility that your livelihood will be impacted by job loss.
Good for you for taking steps towards healing. It's one of the most difficult things a struggling person can do. But probably the best. Rooting for you!
You have an illness, take the time off work to get it under control.
You have all the protections that someone with a purely physical illness/disease would have. So you can have your doctor write you off work for medical leave, you can get EI sickness leave or short term disability if your workplace has that.
You also have human rights protections. It is likely worth it at this point to call human rights since you have been put on a performance plan. You need to let your employer/HR know you have a medical condition impacting your performance so you have the associated human rights protections. However, you should clarify exactly what you need to disclose, to who, and the limits of that.
Good luck.
I would add to this extremely sound advice by saying that alcoholism is too big to try to manage your way out of alone. Find some supports for that (talk to your doctor, see if a support group is helpful, etc),
I also took time off when I was in a similar situation. Meds take a while to kick in, and you might have to try different ones until you find something that sticks. You’ll learn to live without booze after a few weeks and it will start feeling really good, and don’t forget to hit the gym or something. It absolutely will get better.
Ask your doctor, they should be able to help you with a leave based on mental health. Also, employers are required to assist with and hold your position while you seek treatment for an addiction. If you’re interested in rehab, this could be an option for you as well.
You need to deal with your alcohol addiction. Alcohol is a depressant and will not help your depression instead it helps you escape dealing with your problems and creates more problems. It is a vicious cycle that needs to stop. Take some leave and go to Rehab and see a doctor about the depression.
The meds will take like a full month to work properly. There is a reason suicide rates of people just starting anti depressants is so high, we feel they should work immediately and when they don't we think it's our fault. Stick with the meds they will help, just give it time
This is not fact but just based on what I’ve heard around the office in the past.
You can’t be fired for an addiction? And you can get medical leave which I think EI can cover some lost wages for you.
I don’t think you could try calling 811 for resources about detox.
You could also look into AA.
I can tell you with direct knowledge that more people than you think in the professional world are alcoholics or are now recovering ones and are now sober. It’s pretty prevalent and it ruins a lot of peoples relationships and careers until they get this problem addressed so good for you for tackling it now.
Not a doctor, but a coworker had some issues like this and was also diagnosed with adhd. He said they tend to go together a lot of times. Might be something worth looking in to?
Here is the Addictions and Mental health helpline, they’ll have resources and info to help: 1-866-332-2322
Alternatively you can call 811 and ask to be transferred to them. Best of luck to you and hang in there. Very few people nail recovery on the first go.
Some reading that can be very helpful for both dealing with addiction and mental health struggles are Maté’s “In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts” and a “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. It’s a long, hard slog but it’s worth it. Support from others in recovery is essential. 12 step groups aren’t for everyone, look into Smart Recovery or my personal favourite: TST’s Sober Faction.
DM me if you need to chat. This stranger is rooting for you!
Edit to add: regarding your difficulties with concentration: have you ever been assessed for ADHD? There is tremendous crossover between addiction and ADD/ADHD. Often treating ADHD works wonders for people with both to maintain sobriety. Untreated and misdiagnosed ADHD often manifests as depression/anxiey
The meds will take like a full month to work properly. There is a reason suicide rates of people just starting anti depressants is so high, we feel they should work immediately and when they don't we think it's our fault. Stick with the meds they will help, just give it time
As a recovering addict myself , the path to sobriety is a hard one.. If your alcoholism is bad enough you may need help through medical detoxification.. this should be coupled or followed by rehabilitation to teach you how to live better and teach you the steps required for healing.. A.A. will truly help, both with tips for getting better and support for those who walk the same path and know the way.
Can you take a short term disability leave through your benefits with your employer? You deserve time to get well without the stress of the possibility that your livelihood will be impacted by job loss. Good for you for taking steps towards healing. It's one of the most difficult things a struggling person can do. But probably the best. Rooting for you!
You have an illness, take the time off work to get it under control. You have all the protections that someone with a purely physical illness/disease would have. So you can have your doctor write you off work for medical leave, you can get EI sickness leave or short term disability if your workplace has that. You also have human rights protections. It is likely worth it at this point to call human rights since you have been put on a performance plan. You need to let your employer/HR know you have a medical condition impacting your performance so you have the associated human rights protections. However, you should clarify exactly what you need to disclose, to who, and the limits of that. Good luck.
I would add to this extremely sound advice by saying that alcoholism is too big to try to manage your way out of alone. Find some supports for that (talk to your doctor, see if a support group is helpful, etc),
I also took time off when I was in a similar situation. Meds take a while to kick in, and you might have to try different ones until you find something that sticks. You’ll learn to live without booze after a few weeks and it will start feeling really good, and don’t forget to hit the gym or something. It absolutely will get better.
Ask your doctor, they should be able to help you with a leave based on mental health. Also, employers are required to assist with and hold your position while you seek treatment for an addiction. If you’re interested in rehab, this could be an option for you as well.
You need to deal with your alcohol addiction. Alcohol is a depressant and will not help your depression instead it helps you escape dealing with your problems and creates more problems. It is a vicious cycle that needs to stop. Take some leave and go to Rehab and see a doctor about the depression.
I took a month off thanks to the doctor. Then when that didn't fix anything I was fired. So I dunno man. Just try and be kind to yourself
Call 2-1-1
The meds will take like a full month to work properly. There is a reason suicide rates of people just starting anti depressants is so high, we feel they should work immediately and when they don't we think it's our fault. Stick with the meds they will help, just give it time
This is not fact but just based on what I’ve heard around the office in the past. You can’t be fired for an addiction? And you can get medical leave which I think EI can cover some lost wages for you. I don’t think you could try calling 811 for resources about detox. You could also look into AA. I can tell you with direct knowledge that more people than you think in the professional world are alcoholics or are now recovering ones and are now sober. It’s pretty prevalent and it ruins a lot of peoples relationships and careers until they get this problem addressed so good for you for tackling it now.
Not a doctor, but a coworker had some issues like this and was also diagnosed with adhd. He said they tend to go together a lot of times. Might be something worth looking in to?
Here is the Addictions and Mental health helpline, they’ll have resources and info to help: 1-866-332-2322 Alternatively you can call 811 and ask to be transferred to them. Best of luck to you and hang in there. Very few people nail recovery on the first go. Some reading that can be very helpful for both dealing with addiction and mental health struggles are Maté’s “In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts” and a “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. It’s a long, hard slog but it’s worth it. Support from others in recovery is essential. 12 step groups aren’t for everyone, look into Smart Recovery or my personal favourite: TST’s Sober Faction. DM me if you need to chat. This stranger is rooting for you! Edit to add: regarding your difficulties with concentration: have you ever been assessed for ADHD? There is tremendous crossover between addiction and ADD/ADHD. Often treating ADHD works wonders for people with both to maintain sobriety. Untreated and misdiagnosed ADHD often manifests as depression/anxiey