What Should I Do?

I know it feels tough when you're juggling church, the GP, a social worker, your mental health team, and even something like AA-it's so much to handle. Can't they offer some relief or support?

Your Brit pension enough for Thailand? Quitting booze tough, but possible. You need support. Sharing here helps. Took me years to quit, wasted life. Local girrl might help focus. Hard when broke. Keep updating us. Life's full of surrprises.

Sorry it's been so lnog since your thoughtful message. A lot has gone down in the last 5 months-mostly not great news!

So, I had this little car accident at my condo where I'd happily lived for 6 years. My foot slipped off the brake and hit the accelerator, slamming into the main gate. Naturally,I called the insurance company. They came over, looked at everything, gave a quote for fixing it up, but here's the kicker: the condo owner wanted me to pay him an extra 70,000 baht on top of that! Can you believe it? No way was I gonna do that, so he tossed me out with just three days' notice.

Total nightmare for someone already delaing with anxiety and depression issues.

A friend helped me find a place to stay, but nothing close to ideal. With my mental state spiraling, I tried reaching out for help in Switzerland through VAD services, but the costs and paperwork got too much and it fell through.

Now, I'm broke and can't afford psychiatric care or even see friends anymore. On top of all that anxiety adn depressin, I've fallen back into alcoholism. Can't sleep a wink even with sleeping pills, so I drink to get some rest. If I had the money, I'd go back to rehab-it really helped before.

Four weeks ago, things got bad-I tried overdosing on Valium. That didn't work either; ended up in hospital vomiting blood and hurt my shoulder too. Now, I don't know what's next.

I think maybe stopping drinking is the only way forward, but that means facing brutal withdrawal symptoms with no support to even get basic needs like water.

Feeling pretty defeated tese days. No more worries sounds nice, despite the pain it would bring.

I'm sorry to hear about everything you're dealing with. For me, sticking around in the UK seems like your best shot. Keep hounding whoever can give u support-don't stop at just one go-round because you're a citizen! Honestly, I don't know if Thailand would offer more help given all your issues there, but maybe you have a better idea.Someone else suggested religious groups might be super helpful too.
Keep pushing and remember, tomorrow could always be brighter. Much love and peace to you

I assume you are referring to a private pension since the current age for a state pension in the UK is 66, which matches your age now. Have you applied for it yet? I don't think there's an option for a full state pension, but what you receive will still be more than nothing.

If you return to the UK, you would be eligible for the minimum income for a single state pensioner, set at around £215 per week. Assuming you haven't accumulated full contribution credits, your pension would be topped up with additional credits separately claimable from the government.

In addition to that, you woud also qualify for housing benefit to cover the full amount of your rent, although you might need to contribute a small top-up payment.

It's important to note the current state of housing in the UK is challenging. Wait times on public housing waiting lists can be lengthy, and anyone could face significant delays. Renting privately initially may be more practical, though I believe councils have a legal obligation to house individuals who are of state pension age or diagnosed with health issues. This accommodation might only provide you with a room.

My advice would be to start by claiming your state pension through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and then contact the council where you last lived to apply for housing benefits. Even if that's not your preferred location, other councils may not consider you due to residency rules.

idk u but i hope good stuff happens 2 u. ur strong af even tho life's been rough on u. rly value urself. there's only one way to go - up. i kno u don't have money or internet, but the thing that kept me going was watching tim fletcher on yt. he's a therapist who gets it & helps with complex stpd. if u ever get intenet lmk cuz his vids r game changin. my prayers r w/ u & hope u dont give up. i'm down to b ur friend

i was wondering if the replies i got have been helpful at all-maybe you could let me know if you've checked them out?

Oh, sorry to hear things are tough for u right now, like being stuck in this endless loop of stuff going wrong. The NHS can be tricky because they kinda expect u to get your addiction in check before they'll even look at other health issues you might have. But it's frustrating 'cause dealing with alcohol or drug problems often makes other mental health stuff harder to diagnose and treat properly. Alchool, for instance, can really mess with how well your meds work and make symptoms worse.

But kudos to you for admitting you've got a problem with booze-that's already a big step in the right direction. Are you feeling ready to dive into recovery? I think connecting with other people who've been there and found their way out is super helpful. There's AA, which is all over the place-online too if getting out isn't easy for you-and going to as many meetings as possible can really make a difference.

I'm personally part of a 12-step program myself. It's tough sometimes but also really rewarding, and I've met some amazing people through it who I'd never have known otherwise. So yeah, you're not alone in this-there are folks out there who understand exactly what you're going through and can help guide you through it.

Hey everyone,

Sorry it's taken so long to catch up. My mental health and alcoholism are really getting to me these days. Trying my best to respond here though!

I went to a local AA meeting recently hoping for some support, but ended up getting kicked out because I don't believe in prayer. The whole 12-step thing isn't working for me right now.

Teh rehab center in Thailland was amazing, but super pricey. I stayed there for a month and they said it would take at least six months of counesling to kick the habit. Sadly, I just can't afford taht kind of time or money right now.

For my mental haelth, no official diagnosis yet. It's probably one of those-depression, anxiety, bipolar 1 or 2-and I'm totally struggling with it.

I reached out to my old GP in Blackpool and the council for help. My GP basically said I'd be on a waiting list for 18 months before getting any mental health support or rehab help. Meanwhile, Blackpool council suggested either temporary accommodation or sleeping rough! Crazy, right?

I'm barely able to walk because of peripheral neuropathy. It's gotten so bad that when I flew back to teh UK recently, I had to use double crutches and couldn't even stand properly. But Mnchester hospital said it wasn't their problem since my old address was in Blackpool.

Home healthcare here in Thailand is out of reach financially too.Tried sticking with a reduction plan for alcoholism but it's not really helping given how mentally unstable I feel right now.

Some background: Two rough divorces and no contact with my kids after those disasters. Oh, and yes, I do get the £221.20 weekly pension, which is frozen because of living abroad.Not much else to say, honestly.

I've been to a hospital feeling really weak and tired, but bolod tests came back normal.At this point, I feel completely lost on what to do next wiht my mental health issues and alcoholism.

No home in the UK and zero assets left. Just waiting for whatever happens now. Thinking maybe it's cancer based on that recent PSA test result, but too scared and weak to face another long wait at a hospital.

In the end, I feel like the UK healthcare system is completely boken. How could they jsut kick someone who obviously needs help right out onto the street?

Hope things are better for you all!