Posted by JCB on June 23, 2001, at 7:40:35
In reply to 12 step group effectiveness, posted by gilbert on June 22, 2001, at 22:59:41
Gilbert,
I understand that many of the people reading this who are in recovery are concerned about AA's acceptance, or rather lack there of, of psychiatric medication being taking while working AA's program of recovery. I can tell you that, in general, it has been my experience that AA has come a long way since it's beginnings and much less "militant," for lack of a better word, about not taking ANY medications. Its unfortunate that there are people out there that suffer more from going to AA (stopping all their medications) than getting the support they desparately need. I'd like to make just 2 points on the subject.
First of all, for those of you in recovery who feel guilty about taking psychiatric medication AS PRESCRIBED by your doctor, please DON'T. AA continues to hold to the disease model in their teachings of addiction, however, I've found that even AA is realizing that there are some people who, for whatever reason, will need to be on some kind of psychiatric medication, at least throughout therapy, if not perminantly. Here is where I'd like to distinguish between someone who, I believe to be "cheating," and someone who is honestly in need of psychiatric medications. All psychiatric medications are mood altering, otherwise, they wouldn't be psychiatric medication. However, not all psychiatric medications give a "buzz." We call these non-addictive mood altering drugs (i.e. lithium, depakote, prozac, wellbutrin, etc.). How many times have you heard of someone coming into a chemical dependency treatment center saying "hey, I've got a real prozac problem...last night I did hit after hit all night long"? I know this sounds rediculous, but it makes my point. For this reason, AA should have no problem with recovering people taking these kinds of drugs. They were designed to correct chemical imbalances in the brain, which they do very well.
Now, as far as recovering people who are taking classes of drugs that DO give you a "buzz" (maybe not in low doses, but if you take enough they will), (i.e. valium, xanax, klonopin, percodan, darvocet, basically all benzodiazapines and opioits). Here is my opinion on the subject. I have no flat rule/advice for people who are taking these drugs and working a program of recovery. I take each person, their personality, and lifestyle into consideration before giving them my opinion on whether they should try to get off these drugs or not. First of all, I'm not a doctor and would never advised a a client to go against their doctor's recommendations. I do, however, often work with clients who, in time, feel comfortable suggesting to their doctor that they be weaned off their medication (remember I'm strictly speaking of the mood altering addictive types). I'm a firm believer in the benefits of talk therapies, or else I wouldn't be one I guess! Sometimes, especially with clients who have extreme anxiety that appears to continue, even after a significant period of abstinance, I will recommend they seek anti-anxiety medication from a psychatrist, at least to help them calm down so they can focus and gain more benefit from our therapy sessions. Often the drugs that are prescribed are the ones I mentioned that people can abuse to "get high" (klonopin, valium, xanax, etc.) Here is my final point. If a person is taking these kind of medications, AS PRESCRIBED, AND honestly seeking behavioral change through 12-step and/or individual psychotherapy, I don't see anything wrong with it. In fact, I think its how I would prefer to work with my clients who suffer from chronic anxiety. If this is you, please don't feel guilty. However, if you are just using the anti-anxiety medication alone, without any kind of talk therapy, I would caution you against using these medications as a "crutch." I think you know what I mean. This could actually prevent your growth in recovery and either lead you back to your drug of choice, or develop a new addiction.
I know this was a very long message, but I hope it helps those of you who seem to be struggling with this idea of taking psychiatric medication while working a program of recovery that is based on abstinence.
PS- on a lighter note, I live about 3 blocks down from Dr. Bob's house in Akron, Ohio, where AA was founded. Neat, huh?
poster:JCB
thread:1356
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010618/msgs/67575.html