Alcohol Withdrawal Program Required for Transplant

itsme623 @itsme623,
Sounds frustrating
Can you clarify, are you saying to be put on transplant list they are saying you need to attend a treatment program ?

Will your insurance pay for treatment?

Laurie

Yes, a requirement to be put on the liver transplant list is the completion of alcohol rehab, understandably so since they don't want people to drink with their new liver. I understand the reasons why, but I can't find a program that will take Medicare. I did call Medicare and got a list of 5 places. Three of them only have in-house programs. The other two don't take Medicare.

To clarify, Medicare and AARP United Healthcare are paying for the transplant.

Hi @itsme623, I've added your question to the Transplants support group as well. I wonder if members like @sharonagnes @myfablife @klm3 @katebw @parrot53 might have more information about a chemical dependency treatment program prior to liver transplantation that would meet your needs, i.e, online and covered by Medicare.

Itsme623, I gather from your post that you've already received recommended programs from the transplant team at Mayo Clinic, but they didn't work out. Did you speak with a transplant social worker at Mayo? I wonder if they could help investigate further with you?

@itsme623 I am 2+ years post liver transplant. Before I was placed on the National transplant list through MassGen hospital I was evaluated for substance abuse with a fine tooth comb though this is not an issue for me. This had to do with the circumstances of the discovery of my disease- a minor car accident in which I was accused of being intoxicated (I wasn’t). However I was never asked to partake in a treatment program. I offered to attend AA meetings knowing that you can have someone sign to confirm your attendance- I know this is accepted in the courts. Could you try this? There is no charge for AA and it is evidenced based. I would think that AA would stand in for appropriate care as most programs that exist and are paid for are based on the AA 12 step model (I am a social worker too).

Hi itsme623, were you an alcoholic and the reason I asked is that I did drink socially but had quit immediately when I found out I had cirrhosis, by the time I went for my TP evaluation, I had not had a alcohol drink for over 6 months my TP ask me if I needed help,”I said r u kidding I have been dx w/cirrhosis of the liver do you think I am stupid NO I think I am just fine”
So I did not have to enter any kind of program. I would think after a yr./blood testing you have shown you r not needing a AA program unless it is a requirement with Mayo.
Best of luck getting this taken care of I am blessed over 3yrs.💚🙏🏻

I truly identify with your circumstances! Like you, I was a social drinker and don't consider myself an alcoholic, but when I got to Mayo over a year ago, it had only been a couple of months since diagnosis and stopping drinking. Still, no one believes me even now. I've accepted that and am complying with everything they require.

Itsme623, Omgosh I think that’s totally ridiculous, I mean when u r waiting for your TP they do blood test on a regular bases and test you for every drug,smoking, alcohol etc.,
You are out one year alcohol free.
Have you already had your TP eval and this is the last step for you. How are your blood results, r u feeling ok, do you have cirrhosis. I know it’s a lot to go thru so I am definitely thinking about you. It’s a journey with a lot of ups/downs. 💪

Sorry if redundant. When I first found out that courses may be required I used this site https://joinmonument.com/
But it costs money at some point but some insurances is accepted. If your employer offers an EAP program usually something is offered that can help. Otherwise, there is site that should be able to direct you
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
I apologize I can’t really help but I did like monument, just when it came to paying for it, after a couple months, I knew I really didn’t need it.

Thanks so much, Colleen. I had checked out Monument, and it must have been the price that caused me to move on. Also, there is a program I had found under SAMHSA called CBT4CBT developed by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Addiction. From what I could tell, you have to find your own clinician to follow you online which I tried to do without any luck. It looked like I could really relate to it so I pressed on. I eventually went to my doctor who, in turn, went to Mayo and asked for more help. Unfortunately, CBT4CBT has only 7 parts, not the required 12 minimum so I gave up on that one. As it stands now, I have reached out to 2 counselors, one with Ellie Mental Health and the other with Growth Therapy. We will see if they can help.

Tomorrow is the big day to find out if either one of these counselors can help. I have filled out all their online forms.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the time to offer so much help!