Posted by Sulpicia on June 23, 2001, at 22:36:36
In reply to Re: Staying Sober and taking meds, posted by gilbert on June 22, 2001, at 22:32:46
> Gilbert--
well said! I'm sorry that you found AA incompatible with appropriate medical treatment: it's nowhere in the literature, and tho I'm sure your sponsor meant well, it certainly isn't his business to dictate your medical treatment, even if he had vast experience with your symptoms -- about which he was no doubt clueless.
I've seen a lot of friction in certain groups about this issue and I think it needlessly harms people, especially chronic painers who *must* balance sobriety with legitimate opiate therapy. A difficult task indeed.
Like you, I self-medicated with alcohol, tho for depression. AD meds are fairly acceptable in the world of AA but it never occured to me to look to AA to tell me about my medical problems, nor interfere in somebody else's.
Many years later I learned that a significant part of my depression was due to attention deficit disorder -- so now in addition to AD med, I take adderall.
This is a huge issue for many adults in recovery who are diagnosed with ADHD. The psychiatric consensus, born out by several years of experience, is that NOT treating symptoms greatly increases the risk of relapse. It scared me too, but ulimately it was the correct choice for me.
I'm glad it worked for you too.
I just have a really low tolerance for glib statements about addiction and I'm hoping that I misunderstood the original post ...
Liz
poster:Sulpicia
thread:1356
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010618/msgs/67623.html