Damn. One of my patients, who was recovering nicely, has relapsed.

[Aristus]

She discontinued her mental health meds against medical advice, and started using again. She lost her job as a result, so now she's strung out again, and she's back in the life.

Damn, damn, DAMN!

We're getting her into treatment again. I know she can kick the habit; she did it once already. She just has to believe in herself.

She was so ashamed when I went into the exam room. Wouldn't even look at me. I told her that I wasn't ashamed of her, and that I knew she could get clean again.

Please God...

Oy!

I'm ready for Happy Hour...

Thank you for listening...

[Wait Wut]

1. I don't know how you do it.

I have so little patience with addicts and very little compassion. They're lucky to have you. I just hope days like these (or worse) don't end up beating you down. Then again, you have THE LOUNGE to help you unwind and unload!

[Aristus]

2. And all my Lounge friends.

I couldn't do this without you...

[nolabear]

3. You're a good guy, Aristus. If any attitude can help her

Yours will. Keep the faith, man.

[Aristus]

6. Thank you, nolabear.

I heard about your friend. I'm sorry. You're having a day much worse than mine...

[In_The_Wind]

4. Aristus

When is your shift over tonight?

[Aristus]

5. In about an hour.

After that: Happy Hour with Will Shakespeare. Hope you'll join us on our weekly drinking thread...

[In_The_Wind]

7. I'll be around.

I have one or two issues to discuss with you by PM.

[MiddleFingerMom]

8. Relapses are common -- you probably know that -- but the desire to quit...

.
.
.
... is still there. Some folks do it the first time. Some folks do it the 10th.
.
Keep the faith in her, my brother. She sounds like someone who would benefit from someone helping
her be positive and believe in herself again.
.
.
.
I lost a brother to a speedball overdose -- didn't even know he had the habit. I wish I had had the
opportunity to speak with him/help him.
.
Though it's frustrating and stressful, you're doing GOOD work and actually helping people. Me. I
shuffled papaers most of my career and it was hard to pretend that I was actually HELPING someone.
.
I envy your opportunity to be doing so.
.
.
.
.

[trof]

9. Yeah, that's discouraging.

I've seen it before with alcoholics.
Seem to have kicked it and then BAM, something sets them off.
You have a tough job.
Thanks for what you do.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

10. "Devils can be driven out of the heart by the touch of a hand on a hand, or a mouth on a mouth"

"Devils can be driven out of the heart by the touch of a hand on a hand, or a mouth on a mouth" — Tennessee Williams

When you said "I told her that I wasn't ashamed of her, and that I knew she could get clean again. " You were helping to drive out that demon, that Devil.


Keep fight the good fight, Aristus!

[olddots]

11. I want to thank you for the work you do