Detox: Day 1, 24/04/13

I was afraid that I wouldn't have a window.
Thankfully, there is one at the foot of my bed. Directly outside is a tree, granting me some privacy, and beyond, bushes and brush, mercifully hiding a hideous grey building.
My room is small and nondescript; a small, uncomfortable hospital bed with numerous sheets, a desk and a cupboard.
The nurse, Trudy, was kind as she searched my suitcase for contraband, but I wonder if that look in he eyes is pity, or something else.

***

After having my blood pressure checked, it was time for something new, which turned out to be a needle in the ass. Thiamine ahoy!

Then, straight into the first group session with a social worker named Chris. A very jovial and kindly seeming fellow, who wasn't shy talking about his past addictions, of which there must have been many, as his speech is rather slurred. He talked to us about getting clean, and the problem of relapse. Why we feel the way we feel when we get our hands on our drug of choice, and how we feel when we cannot.

Someone in the unit just informed me that "they" have bombed the French embassy in Libya. Sadly, I didn't have to ask who "they" are. Whether or not this information is true is another matter.

***

Turns out that the guy who informed me about the bombing is named Chris. He seems to be in his mid 50's, and is a fellow alcoholic. though I dare say he may have a slightly deeper problem than myself. I only say this because he was talking to me about his affectation for methylated spirits mixed with lemon juice.

***

Dinner is crumbed fish with what appear to be wedges. They could be potato, but that's a gamble.Valium!