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Why is Mayo making me go to AA?
My spouse is started her evaluation for Liver Transplant at Mayo Rochester a few weeks ago. During the first few appointments, a serious problem was discovered that required immediate hospitalization and surgery, which was performed by the liver transplant team. While an inpatient, social work and addiction counselors visited with her and determined that she needs alcohol treatment and AA. I’m concerned about this diagnosis as being an alcoholic myself, I don’t believe she has these issues. She has always been a light casual drinker with no noticeable consequences and we also know that her liver failure was caused by other issues. I recognize that to be a candidate for transplant, she must quit drinking and remain alcohol free for life. This is not a concern. My concern is automatically assuming that ANY alcohol use is abuse that requires treatment and counseling. As soon as her primary care provider referred her to Mayo for transplant 3 months ago, she hasn’t had a drink with the exception of a champagne toast at or daughter’s wedding in late January. We don’t want to do anything to jeopardize her being approved for transplant but at the same time, I don’t want to delay her UNOS listing for months for what I see as an unnecessary waste of time and energy. While I am fully cognizant that I am neither a doctor or addiction counselor, I have had a lot of experience with both. Maybe someone needs to tell me to stop whining and making excuses and just do it. This is my first post here so sorry for rambling.
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Hi ! Wish you guys well. Very glad to hear you do not see your wife as needing this. As being experienced in this you may know the situation best. Mayo is so good at everything and both the social worker and the addiction person saw her and that's what they want to do. I am sure they see other cases where a person can hide that really well from family (like my sister). Not saying this is your guys case but I bet that is what they see a lot of. Very glad you guys agreed she should not drink ! I did the same before my liver transplant but I was more of a tea totaler than big drinker. They don't have enough liver to go around in general so not giving them to drinkers is reasonable. Super respectfully there is very , very little downside to her going. She may even have a greater appreciation of your challenges ? So glad you guys are on course for a transplant. Very best of luck. Prayers up.
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2 ReactionsHi @extremejamz, and welcome. I've added your question to the Transplant support group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/transplants/
In this group, you can connect with fellow transplant caregivers as well as transplant recipients and donors.
I'm not going to tell you to stop whining. 🙂 I think your concerns are good ones. As an alcoholic yourself, I can understand your sensitivity of this label and its potential effect that it might have on your wife when applied to her. I can also tell you that you and your are in good hands at Mayo Clinic. They will listen to your concerns and handle them with kindness.
I, myself, do not know the thresholds for past alcohol use as required for transplant. And I acknowledge that you said her liver condition is not alcohol-induced. However, it appears that to qualify for liver transplant, alcohol treatment and peer support may be a necessary step in the process. These would be good questions to ask of the transplant social worker. I agree with @craigcraig that going through the alcohol rehab program may be insightful for both of you(?)
On another note, I'm so glad that the transplant team was on top of the serious medical problem that required immediate hospitalization and surgery. How is she doing now? How is recovery going?
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3 Reactions@extremejamz I would think that AA would be helpful, but more importantly, that simple requirement can save your wife’s life.
AA can be a great “tool” for healthy living. If you’re worried about getting “talked” into joining yourself, not to worry. People in AA admit that alcohol is a problem in their life.
I was married to an alcoholic for 17 years. (today is his sobriety anniversary 36 years). I went to AA meetings with him to learn about the disease of alcoholism. It was very useful.
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4 ReactionsI had to look at some meetings online for the hospital I was at I wasn’t sure why I was a casual drinker but that wasn’t the reason for a transplant, it just fills in a couple of their boxes, the meetings are depressing I never was one of those disasters but I played along got my new liver and never watched another one again. I know that AA works for some but it’s doesn’t have a great compete healing rate.
@pgruetz You're right, AA does work for some people. It takes a lot of rigorous honesty from the individual for a successful outcome.
It's not unusual for our medical teams to have certain requirements prior to a procedure, in this case a liver transplant. They want to ensure success as much as possible. Someone I know was slated for transplant but was placed on an inactive list due to his non-compliance [quitting drinking and smoking]. Until he took it seriously, he wasn't going to be gifted a second chance.
Ginger
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2 ReactionsI took mine as such a lifesaver gift why would I want to disappoint my huge team of unreal doctors and nurses my girlfriend and family and Jesus, no way wasn’t I going to take it seriously but sadly people’s addictions will kill them im a witness to that just recently and she saw what I went through and never put the bottle down. My aftercare team watches me pretty close for my health and keeping me safe
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