Medications and Other Drugs
September 10, 2008 by Mark
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Since there is often much talk about this topic – Alcoholics Anonymous has provided a pamphlet filled with valuable information about medications and other drugs.
This is the opening disclaimer;
Alcoholics Anonymous is a program for alcoholics who seek freedom from alcohol. It is not a program against drugs. However, some A.A. members have misused drugs, often as a substitute for alcohol, in such a manner as to become a threat to the achievement and maintenance of sobriety. These incidents have caused all A.A. members to be concerned with what is popularly known as the “pill problem.”
Often as a substitute. Yep, that’s me! I also used them to offer myself the opportunity to tell “you” that I didn’t have an alcohol problem, I had a drug problem. Worked – for a while, hah!
The following are suggestions from page 5 of this pamphlet. Please, click through and read the entire publication.
- Remember that as a recovering alcoholic your automatic response will be to turn to chemical relief for uncomfortable feelings and to take more than the usual, prescribed amount. Look for nonchemical solutions for the aches and discomforts of everyday living.
- Remember that the best safeguard against drug-related relapse is an active participation in the A.A. program of recovery.
- No A.A. Member Plays Doctor.
- Be completely honest with yourself and your physician regarding use of medication.
- If in doubt, consult a physician with demonstrated experience in the treatment of alcoholism.
- Be frank about your alcoholism with any physician or dentist you consult. Such confidence will be respected and is most helpful to the doctor.
- Inform the physician at once if you experience side effects from prescribed drugs.
If you’ve been “playing” doctor, please stop it, NOW! If you’ve witnessed someone else playing Doctor, lose your fear and tell THEM to stop!
Mark, what are your own personal thoughts on someone who once used alcohol and/or drugs to self-medicate, and is now taking an anti-depressant to manage depression, anxiety, etc.?
My personal thoughts are: As long as they follow Dr.’s orders, i.e. if the script calls for 1 pill every 4 hours and that’s what they do, it’s all good.
Another thought is that today, thankfully, there are many effective anti-depressants that are not narcotic nor habit forming. I was on one for a while, no longer… It was a huge help!
My roommate, who suffers from a potent form of Bi-Polar, has managed to put together Twelve years of sobriety while on proper, Dr. prescribed medication. It has saved his life and continues to do so.
I’m all for meds if used as prescribed. That’s why God gave us professionals in medicine (which is a whole ‘nuther topic).
Yeah, antidepressants of the SSRI and SNRI (rather than the benzodiazepines class of anti-anxiety medications) are what I meant. I don’t really see a problem with them, either; however, I’m neither a medical professional nor a person with any direct experience with alcoholism or drug addiction, so in that respect my opinion counts very little, ha.
I’ve often heard substance abuse counselors talk about how it’s best to wait at least a year after the person stops drinking or using drugs before any kind of mental health diagnosis is made and any kind of medications are prescribed. (I guess this is for situations when they don’t know whether or not they’re up against a mental health problem, too?) At the same time, I’ve also heard of facilities that specialize in dual diagnosis situations that treat the mental health problem and the addiction problem at the same time. (I want to think this is in situations when they already know whether or not it’s a dual diagnosis situation, but I don’t know?)
I guess all the contradicting pieces of medical advice confuse me.
Anyway, back to your original point, I definitely agree with you: Everyone should stop playing doctor – whether they’re doctoring themselves or doctoring others. It’s dangerous for everyone, past drug/alcohol history or not.