>>>Mike, I see our friend has given you phone numbers and instructions. That's quite a bit for that person to give you.
>>>
>>>It's now time for you to pony up with some results.
>>>
>>>I'm forwarding a copy of this to everyone who has been on this discussion thread. I'm going to ask that no one on this thread reply to any of Mike's messages. You can't use the UT as a substitute for your therapy, and from this point on, anyone replying to you for any reason is only giving you one more reason, one more minute to delay what you need to do.
>>>
>>>Mike, buddy, this is for your own good. If I didn't care, I'd say nothing. You've been given instructions and as much encouragement as can be given.
>>>
>>>If you can type messages on the UT , then you can pick up the phone and make a few calls.
>>>
>>>That's it from me, and I hope from everyone else. Mike, forget about the UT and start dialing.
>>
>>I wanted to give an update to you, John, Tracy, and everyone else. I took the "tough love" advice and have been on the phone for several hours this week talking to in-patient alcohol rehab facilities, all the ones I could find in the area, probably 20 of them. Two of them have admitted me and I am waiting for one callback. The only downside is both of those places will not have a bed available for at least a couple of weeks. I quickly gathered that that is the general case. So I have to stay sober for that long. I think I can, in part because I have no more alcohol and still can't drive. Either way, I am going. This is probably going to cause me to miss the That Conference, which I already paid for. That's OK. This is more important than a conference. (Which looks great, BTW, for anyone interested in web development, .NET, and a number of cutting edge technologies). So you can't say I am not doing anything about it and just whiling away my time on the UT. I hope, but obviously cannot control, the moratorium on speaking to me here is lifted. You folks really are my friends, even when I don't always like what you are saying. Thanks. I have finally admitted what some people here and some in my AA group have told me -- what I have been doing has not broken the endless cycle of sober periods alternating with binges. A popular saying in AA meetings is that it's the definition of insanity to keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. (The pedantic side of me always thinks it's not the definition of insanity, just a form of it, in the same way I react to supermarket signs saying "Express lane, 20 items or less." But I keep my mouth shut).
>>
>>Several of the places I have talked to do not take Illinois Medicare, which is the state exchange and what I have. It turns out that is not uncommon in the health care industry, both by facilities and individual doctors. Hospitals are required to take it but others are not, including facilities affiliated with hospitals. I have been told that a Medicaid provider is reimbursed at only about 25% of their cost. With an aging population, this is an issue that needs to be addressed one way or another.
>
>Just one question and comment which I am sure your friends in AA have told you. My understanding is that alcohol withdrawal is very dangerous for older folks who have been drinking for years. Quitting cold turkey while you wait for a bed at a rehab center (I'm told that is not uncommon) could be dangerous. Most recommend you admit yourself to a hospital during the detox period while you wait for a bed at a rehab center (so they can monitor you and provide anti-seizure meds etc) and then the hospital can transfer you directly to the rehab center when a bed is available. The rehab centers should have informed you of any concerns while you wait. If not, call them back and ask. The fact that you have to wait to get in is not an excuse to continue to drink, but if you are trying to stay sober in the meantime, it is important to do it safely.

One of the two programs I have been admitted to is 19 days if you need to be detoxed and 14 days otherwise. The woman who screened and admitted me, a nurse at the facility, asked me when was the last time I drank. I said (truthfully) Saturday. She said you won't need detox, then, unless you go on another binge between now and when you are admitted. Which I do not intend to do.