Returning to third year after 2 years off

[Lonnie]

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Hi all, new around here...just looking for some advice...

I'm returning to start my 3rd year of med school after having been on leave of absence for about two years. Unfortunately, my leave of absence wasn't for research or anything like that, I had a pretty rough battle with depression and booze. Anyway, I've managed to finally come out on the end of that dark period...got happy again, got sober, and passed the boards. Needless to say, everyone's gonna be watching me to make sure I don't screw up. I really need to excel for the next two years to make a good impression on the docs here, and for residency apps, so I can say, "yeah, I screwed up, but look how great I came back..." I suppose I'm looking for advice on how to be successful in third year. I feel like I'm starting med school from the beginning again, except this time instead of starting off with some biochem, they're dropping me right into the fire. I know I have the ability, and I most certainly have the desire. Any advice would be appreciated.


P.S. Many of you may roll your eyes, don't care, or simply not understand when docs teach or talk about addiction and abuse. Please don't. It's very real, you can't 'just quit', and it's as close to hell on earth as you can get. Take it seriously in your patients, and even more importantly, take it seriously with yourself. If you think you're drinking too much or drinking to relax and get away from the grind of school, PLEASE talk to someone about it. There's not a happy ending, I guarantee it.

 

[marcus_aurelius]

Hi all, new around here...just looking for some advice...

I'm returning to start my 3rd year of med school after having been on leave of absence for about two years. Unfortunately, my leave of absence wasn't for research or anything like that, I had a pretty rough battle with depression and booze. Anyway, I've managed to finally come out on the end of that dark period...got happy again, got sober, and passed the boards. Needless to say, everyone's gonna be watching me to make sure I don't screw up. I really need to excel for the next two years to make a good impression on the docs here, and for residency apps, so I can say, "yeah, I screwed up, but look how great I came back..." I suppose I'm looking for advice on how to be successful in third year. I feel like I'm starting med school from the beginning again, except this time instead of starting off with some biochem, they're dropping me right into the fire. I know I have the ability, and I most certainly have the desire. Any advice would be appreciated.


P.S. Many of you may roll your eyes, don't care, or simply not understand when docs teach or talk about addiction and abuse. Please don't. It's very real, you can't 'just quit', and it's as close to hell on earth as you can get. Take it seriously in your patients, and even more importantly, take it seriously with yourself. If you think you're drinking too much or drinking to relax and get away from the grind of school, PLEASE talk to someone about it. There's not a happy ending, I guarantee it.

I am really glad you had the courage to get help. Most people deny deny deny. I had a problem with depression/anxiety and took time off to get my head straight and it helped A LOT. I feel the same way as you, that i need to prove that i can do this.....more to myself though than the residency directors. I think u can do it. Keep going to AA or your therapist...DONT STOP.....work hard but make time to relax too. You are not the only one out there....i know others who have had this problem and recovered and became great docs.

I dont know how to offer you any specific advise on this subject b/c i didnt have the same problem with alcohol as you had, but i am guessing all these mental illnesses have common similiarities. Try not to get down on yourself. The med envt can often be pretty judgemental and cruel....u had probs, u did the mature thing of getting help, and now you are back. everyone's bound to have probs at some point or other....and it makes u more real if u ask me.

i really feel like some residency directors and docs might be able to understand our situation, i hope, but i try not to think of that bc it is pretty immaterial to me.....i wouldnt change my time off for the world, bc i'm so much better for it....what they think, well, that's their business. it would be nice to have some kind of mentor that can relate though.

i wish u the best of luck. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

👍 🙂

 

[marcus_aurelius]

one more thing, hang out with supportive people.

drop the one's who arent supportive.

dont hang out with those who get hammered every wknd and egg each other on.

 

[CANES2006]

dont hang out with those who get hammered every wknd and egg each other on.

I think that this is a great bit of advice. 👍 I was shocked to see how prevalent alcoholism is at the medical school level. These students should know better! Well, maybe I'm too sheltered and naive. I used to hang out with some people in my class during the first 2 years that were heavy drinkers and got drunk every weekend. It was difficult always being the sober one and being mocked by them for not "taking the plunge". They would persistently tell me that I would eventually cave in and become addicted to alcohol as they were. 😉 Needless to say, I dropped these friends by the end of second year. It was the best thing I could have done.

 

[ocean11]

I think that this is a great bit of advice. 👍 I was shocked to see how prevalent alcoholism is at the medical school level. These students should know better! Well, maybe I'm too sheltered and naive. I used to hang out with some people in my class during the first 2 years that were heavy drinkers and got drunk every weekend. It was difficult always being the sober one and being mocked by them for not "taking the plunge". They would persistently tell me that I would eventually cave in and become addicted to alcohol as they were. 😉 Needless to say, I dropped these friends by the end of second year. It was the best thing I could have done.

HI,
Yeah there are SOOOOOO many students in my class who get COMPLETELY hammered after exams, sometimes I feel like I'm in the minority... seriously!?! what's wrong with just going for dinner with a few good friends? or EVEN reading a book?!? Or better yet, playing poker (without getting drunk LOL). Anyways to the OP...

I had a few friends in high school who did alot of drugs, one of them who I'm sure suffered from anxiety/depp and a hiatal hernia (to top it off!!) he did extacy, coke, drank ALL the time and smoked like a chimney... he never got help. I AM PROUD OF YOU for getting help and having the courage to take time off in med school... I know its hard, many people, probably most people have some personal issue that they need to deal with and the sooner the better. One of the girls that I initially started med school with was in a horrible car accident and had to also take 2 yrs off because of complications. My advice to you... b/f u start clinical rotations, you might want to familiarize yourself with the hospital setting and go there and shadow a doc (in the speciality you're interested in). You can also read a few books about what to do/not to do on the wards.... + talk to 3/4 yr med students...

GOOD Luck and GOD Bless

Ocean11

 

[marcus_aurelius]

These students should know better!

People drink for different reasons. My original post on hanging out with the egger onners was not to judge them. everyone has their own reason. but it would be much easier not to relapse if u didnt get the extra pressure. u can still chilll with them, just do different stuff, like the movies etc.