Alcoholics Anonymous
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Insanity, Institutionalization, Or Death...


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 1570
Date:
Insanity, Institutionalization, Or Death...
Permalink  
 


Extreme?

 

Man in the Netherlands euthanised due to his alcohol addiction

November 29, 2016

 

Euthanasia for people in 'unbearable suffering' and no prospect of improvement is legal in the country

Mark Langedijk chose the day of his death and was telling jokes, drinking beer and eating ham sandwiches with his family hours before he passed away.

He was killed by lethal injection at his parents home on 14 July, according to an account of the ordeal written by his brother and published in the magazine Linda.

 

The Netherlands introduced a euthanasia law 16 years ago, which is available to people in unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement.

Marcel Langedijk wrote his brother had a happy childhood and was loved by both his parents, and only found out he had an addiction eight years ago.

I was particularly angry at Mark, he said. At first we did what most people do; help. My parents especially have done everything humanly possible to save Mark.

His parents continued to believe in a happy ending despite eight years of help and 21 stints in rehab.  

Eventually, Mr Langedijk told his family he wanted to die, but the family originally took the news with a grain of salt.

But his brother had no second thoughts. His application for euthanasia was approved by a doctor from the Support and Consultation on Euthanasia in the Netherlands.

On the day of his death, he laughed, drank, smoked, ate ham and cheese sandwiches and soup with meatballs until his doctor arrived at his parents home at 3.15pm.

His doctor explained the procedure, before telling Mr Landedijk to get into bed and to stay calm. 

At this point, they all started crying, my parents, everyone actually, even Mark.

We cried, told each other that we loved each other, that it would be all right, that we would care for each other, that we would see each other again, we held each other, he said. If it was not so terrible, it would have been nice.

Mark's eyes turned away, he sighed deeply. His last. Dr Marijke injected the third syringe. His face changed, lost color. My little brother was dead.

More than 5,500 people ended their life using Hollands euthanasia laws last year. One of those who died was a sex abuse victim who suffered severe anorexia, chronic depression and hallucinations.

Fiona Bruce, a Conservative MP, told the Daily Mail news of Mr Landedijk's death was "deeply concerning and yet another reason why assisted suicide and euthanasia must never be introduced into the UK".

What someone suffering from alcoholism needs is support and treatment to get better from their addiction which can be provided not to be euthanised," she added.

It is once again a troubling sign of how legalised euthanasia undermines in other countries the treatment and help the most vulnerable should receive.

Responding to Mrs Bruce, Marcel Langedijk told the Independent: "You can close your eyes to it and keep telling yourself everyone is curable but the fact remains, not everyone is.

"My brother suffered from depression and anxiety and tried to 'cure' it with alcohol. He's from a normal family, he did not want this to happen. He did not take an easy way out. Just a humane one.

"If that's troubling for Mrs Bruce that's a pity. I am just glad my brother did not have to jump in front of a train or live a few more years in agony before dying of his abuse.

"Alcoholism and depression are illnesses, just like cancer. People who suffer from it need a humane way out.

"It's not like we go around killing people in Holland. It took my brother a year and a half and many struggles to get it done."

 
 
 
 
 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/man-holland-netherlands-dutch-euthanised-alcohol-addiction-alcoholic-netherlands-a7446256.html

 

 



-- Edited by Tanin on Wednesday 30th of November 2016 08:47:45 AM

__________________

First, deal with the things that might kill you.

 



MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 12357
Date:
Permalink  
 

You know?, ... as horrible as this is, there were times in my past 'detoxing' stages, that I would have welcomed death ... I had gone through periods where I thought I was go'n to die, then I was afraid I wouldn't ... during those times, I really wanted this life to be over with ... I had lost all 'hope' of recovery and any chance of loving life again ... every single day had become a 'living Hell' ...

So, even though I'm horrified of Pickles' story(post), I can relate ... and this gives me even more reason to help another 'suffering alcoholic' ... cause as blind as we become, ... THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE ... ... ...



Thanks Pickle,

Pappy



__________________

'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'



Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 202
Date:
Permalink  
 

Alcohol made me want to die. I think it is natural because your dumping a corrosive element into your body. I think your body gets confused thinking your trying to die.

Now sober for too long to count I can't stop thinking of life. And how I want to live it!



__________________

___________________________________________________________

"It's very important to go into the rooms of AA, smell the shitty coffee and be reminded that without sobriety, I would have no career." ~ Macklemore



Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 14
Date:
Permalink  
 

So sad and yet, so true. I can only imagine what that poor soul is going through. Makes you wonder, doesn't it. 

I think everyone has gotten to that stage at one time or another, I certainly have. I felt that way after my first divorce, inconveniently so, not to mention the embarrassing incident at my daughter's wedding where I made such a fool of myself. It certainly caused me to re-think everything including whether to live or die. 

Luckily for me, I was given a choice; to die a broken man or to find a sober alternative courtesy of A.A. I chose the later, thank God. I hope that trend continues  



-- Edited by Instant Dharma on Saturday 10th of December 2016 04:43:48 PM

__________________
DRH


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 92
Date:
Permalink  
 

I'm back fell off sobriety a couple of months ago, took of a 2 week bender to wreck what I accomplished in 5months of sobriety. I feel like dying too, it's the guilts I get from drink they us go away after 3-4 days of no drinking. It happens to binge drinkers, we think we have our drinking under control and we go off the deep end. I can't go to a restaurant and have 2 drinks , I have to stay until the bartender shut s off the lights or me. Then the next day arrives the food I bought for my family is still in car and sometimes me with it. I always go to work but my performance there is lacklustre at best. During sobriety I enjoyed work. I have no idea what made me binge again. But I am determined to stop it. I was driving to work this morning just cursing the hell out of myself, feeling hopeless and a beaten man. Anxiety chewing at my brain , afraid of decision making , actually thought a snooze in the pine box might be refreshing instead of letting everyone down. But then I thought of 2 kids who passed away in a car accident, no alcohol involved, just speeding, but I thought it really is not fair for anyone to take their own life, just think of all the people fighting disease, and all of the people who died in wars , ( fighting for my rights)and all who passed fighting courageously to keep their lives, and of all the people who have had to live with amputations, and disfigurements, and innumerable tragedy which strikes people everywhere and I thought to myself, face reality your an alcoholic do something about before it kills you. So I am on my first day sober today.

__________________
Bunchie


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 98
Date:
Permalink  
 

Well done Bunchie , on Your 1st day of sobriety . It seems this story is a lesson for you.

Your story can also be a lesson for you , as it can be for others . Please use your past experience to help you KEEP Going.

One Day at a time . Easy does it . While you Are Doing it & Keep it simple.



__________________
John R


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 1570
Date:
Permalink  
 

Glad you're back, Bunchie. Thanks for your honest share.

People like us ... cannot win out there.


__________________

First, deal with the things that might kill you.

 



MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 12357
Date:
Permalink  
 

THE most important thing here Bunchie, IS that you'r back ... I didn't stay sober my first time either ... but, I come back ... many don't make it back ... I know cause I've lost a few good friends to this disease ... 

May God grant you the strength and desire to stay sober this time around ... the disease is strong, but your Higher Power is Stronger ... 


Love ya and God Bless,
Pappy



__________________

'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'

Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.