Old History Repeated - Mental Illness & Alcoholism

Hi, if you're reading this.

After my last digression about the British General Election that is coming up, I am returning to my son's mental health issues. Sadly, we had a reversion to the same old drama, but hopefully it was not for so long (as it only finished last night). On Thursday night Tom sent missing after being dropped off at an AA meting in Richmond. When the clock went on to 11.30 pm, then 12 midnight, and he had not phoned home, we knew something was wrong again. We left it till nearly 1 am to report him missing to the local police (this was possible by that time, as he has a mental illness; we don't have to wait 12 hours). Then we had to wait until they called round to fill out their report and get the details, even though they have had these before (so I did not get to sleep until about 2 am - then we were phoned an hour-plus afterwards by the hospital to give info on Tom). The two friendly cops who came both remembered Tom from the Autumn. I showed them a new picture which showed his hair was longer. It was taken on Christmas Day - he looked bright and relaxed, not how he was in the recent past few days.

I had known he was not right over the previous few days - he hd been quiet and withdrawm, then stayed out very late on the night before he disappeared. He'd come in quite late (but had phoned us), over-stimulated and breathless - telling a 'cock and bull' story about going to an AA meeting in Pimlico, Central London (why should he go up there)? He insisted this was true, but I had strong doubts. We later found he had been in internet cafes till late - as he cannot use my PC for what he wants. Then all day Friday we had no idea where Tom was, as he had discharged himself. Reported him missing again, and 2 more cops came round: had to give them details yet gain, but in the end they combined both cases. No more news then for hours - D. and I had to eat, watch TV, go to bed - we knew not where T. was. He did not phone - we heard later he had lost his mobile, the 2nd one in 8 months he has lost. Decided to go to bed earlier, in case I was disturbed. I was falling asleep in front of the TV anyway. And the next day I was due to give a big mid-day lecture for Birkbeck College on "Global Crime" up in Central London (quite near where Tom ended up)...

In the night phone rang again: the police in London saying Tom was safe and at St. Thomas' Hospital near Waterloo. This is a huge, big place, but we know it. I had to ring the A. & E Department there: they said Tom was being cared for, and I could ring back by about 10 am next day. This I did - fortunately he had not gone AWOL. They said he was not recovered yet, and would only be ready to pick up by early afternoon - so I had to get on with preparing to travel up to do my lecture. Dave was to meet me at the hospital after my lecture (about 1.30 ish); he would keep in touch with me via my mobile phone. This put D. under more responsibility, but he was capable of it in a crisis - he just avoids it if he can (ie. when I am around).

This all worked out - I did a blisteringly good lecture on the global drug and people traffic, with a recent video clip (not boasting, it really went well, perhaps as I was not worrying about it) - then said goodbye, and set off for the hospital. Was desperate for a tea or coffee: I did have a pack of sandwiches though. Found Tom not as bad as I'd feared; they had given him tranquillisers drugs to see him over the withdrawal symptoms. As we took him home, he was limping as he'd lost his socks. We took him up a spare coat as he'd lost his jacket. The weather was freezing - it snowed the day before. Back home, he had a little easy food, then in the evening was able to take his own medication to make him calmer and drowsy. This saw him through the night. Today he is recovering - watching TV or videos, and writing notes (prayers or his own thoughts). I did a few jobs, including washing his dirty clothes, and made us a cooked lunch. Then I did my emails.

I am next going up to the church meeting, as I missed the one this morning (a pity, but it could not be helped - I have priorities). D. will stay with Tom here; I hope Tom will be better tomorrow, and continue to go to his AA meetings - these still help him, and he had been alcohol free for nearly 3 months after last time. The weather is a little better now here, but still very cold. I have been wearing extra layers by day and pyjamas (plus vest and socks) in bed! I usually do not feel that cold. Our old cat Whitton is OK, and keeping D. warm by lying curled up on his lap. No more time now!! Thanks for visiting this site, if you have been...

Goodbye, and love - Tigey