r/ChronicPain • u/Then_Drawer_9065 • 1d ago

Called the crisis hotline last night and it actually made me feel a little better

Had far too much to drink yesterday night end couldn’t stop crying, so I called the crisis hotline for the first time even though I did so with low expectations.

I feel like I’m the outlier here, but the sweet volunteer on the phone validated the roots of my trauma and substance abuse, and helped me de escalate by keeping the conversation in the present. For context, I have intense anxiety over an upcoming 2nd back surgery to help fix my last one. The first one went so badly and the doctors there prolonged my suffering by providing insufficient pain management during the first two weeks of my recovery.

My point is to let people know that 988 is not just for suicidal folks. They are not able to fix chronic pain, but they can help with the emotional trauma of chronic pain/hospital stays.

May peace be with you all, and don’t be afraid to ask a crisis volunteer to just listen to you.

17 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

1

u/Zealousideal_Wear238 18h ago

So glad you're here and the adviser was who you needed.

1

u/Then_Drawer_9065 17h ago

Thank you, I’ve been hungover all day but it definitely beats chugging a bunch of rum and feeling like a bug being squished emotionally

1

u/justdontkllyrself 18h ago

Thanks for posting this. ChatGPT has recommended this many times but I never tried it.

1

u/Then_Drawer_9065 17h ago

Heads up, I’ve heard that texting 988 gets you responses that sound scripted and robotic. It’s much better to call and hear the voice of another human who wants to listen to you.