Thanks In Advance

Dear AnyHelp. Not sure of your age, but have you considered volunteer work? Problem is, if you are going to be an inpatient, any sort of work could be awkward. Perhaps talk to your Dr about voluntary work, or maybe pop along to Centrelink, see if they can advise anything. If you're on 'Newstart', you may have to look at voluntary work. If you're on aged pension, work would be good therapy as when we're busy the depression doesn't seem to rule quite so severely. I would discuss with your Dr first before looking for work..

Thanks Pip, I am 44 and would love to do the volunteer work but due to my financial position really need to earn an income. I have been unemployed for quite a while thinking I could sort this all out on my own. Silly thinking!! There is also a substance dependency issue mixed in as well which I now see is quite common amongst people with mental illness. I just feel if I could work then things would improve

Dear AnyHelp. You are in a bit of a catch 22 situation. You obviously need an income, perhaps 'want' would be better phraseology there. Are you a professional worker or just anything you can get? I still feel talking to your Dr first. Ask if it's possible for you to work, plus get some professional help for the substance dependency. Are you talking alcohol abuse, or drug dependency? Either way you are going to require help. Congrats for at least wanting to sort things out, but with substance abuse/dependency it makes things slightly more complicated. During withdrawal from dependency, you tend to have some pretty severe symptoms. Maybe time in hospital to help you with the recovery might be better at this time. I understand where you're coming from in wanting to work, but while you're recovering, work can be quite difficult. If your Dr agrees to you working, see if C'link has some part-time positions with possible progress to full-time, permanent. Small steps are the main criteria.

Hi Pip, Thanks so much for your reply. It really does make a difference being able to discuss these matters. Good point regards "wanting" to work and needing to, just like such a looser and my home situation does not understand why I don't work and thus labelled me lazy. Does wonders for my self esteem. It is drugs not alcohol that I have issues with and its the one that is splashed all over the media presently. It majorly affects my dopamine receptors which doesn't help my cause I know, I am feeling better today but the last week or two have been devastating. My wife is a good support but it's taking a toll on her as well. I am a professional worker but would consider anything to get back working . Really appreciate your words

Hi AnyHelp. Often our partners don't understand when we have issues regarding mental health/substance abuse. We have enough trouble trying to understand ourselves without trying to explain to others about mental health. I don't consider anyone who's trying to get help a 'loser', nor lazy. To me a loser is someone who refuses to understand when someone is trying to help themselves 'get back on the 'bike'. I take my hat off to your wife for her support too. Both of you are struggling with an illness neither of you understands. Trying to comprehend depression/substance abuse is hard enough for the patient, without the family asking questions you are unable to answer. Have you thought about contacting anyone to see if there's any help they require in the professional trade. Are you computer literate? Computers seem to have minds of their own, if you could offer help along those lines, you would just about be knighted. I still suggest consulting your Dr to get his approval before seeking work. You have to consider your stress levels with any sort of work. With my job, there is a certain amount of stress. Dealing with the elderly, some have dementia symptoms, these people can be extremely difficult/argumentative. If your Dr is okay with you undertaking part time/volunteer work, try phoning around. Places like Angli-care, they're always looking for help. Don't know where you live (what state). Try phoning the local hospital, they need help too.

Hi @AnyHelp. I am going through the same as you at the moment. Have been off work for a long time. I feel that going back to work - initially as a temp would be good for establishing a wake routine and give me something else to focus on. And god, I could so do with the money. But my psychologist said not yet. He wants me to do a little bit of CBT focusing on work - as my attsmpts to do workcover return to work didn't work and just made me more depressed.
Would it make a lot of difference in the long run if you just postponed the return to work for a few extra weeks, while you detox? I gave up alcohol at the same time as working on my MI at The Melbourne Clinic. And yiu have professional staff keeping an eye on withdrawal symptoms. It may be a great move for you & find that when you are discharged from hospital that you will be more successful in getting a job and keeping it. And we all need as much help as we can get - to make the transition to work a success.
I wish you all the best.