Posted by gilbert on August 26, 2001, at 23:27:24
In reply to Re: Abuse of Prescription Medication, posted by Pennie Lane on August 26, 2001, at 13:49:17
Well the same old story about how taking meds violates the integrity of working your 12 step program. I have been sober 15 years from cocaine and vodka. I have been on xanax for the last 3 years...it has literally saved my life. After 10 years sober and suffering from severe panic and agoraphobia I was suicidal. I got help and meds and my life is wonderfull. The big book allows for medical use of medication which most people in AA and NA seem to read past or miss. The founder of the 12 steps Bill W. suffered from such severe depressions that he experimented with LSD after he had been sober many years so even the founder knew that those of us who are dual diagnosed I.E. addicts and panic or depressives would need medical attention. I have been put through hell trying to take "program acceptable drugs" to feel like I fell inbetween the lines and suffered needlessly. I do not get high off my xanax, I do not get thrown in jail, I do not run from bar to bar looking for quick sex....although I am older now so it would be more like slow sex, I feel normal for the first time in my life. I just came back from vacation and was able to drive across the Mackinaw bridge panic free for the first time in years. Thank God for modern science. When Rosa has been sober for a few more years she may realize that alcohol and valium was only a symptom of her illness and hopefully she will be able to get by without meds.....but I see tons of people at AA meetings who are suffering needlessly due the stigma of taking these drugs. Panic disorder and depression kill just like alcoholism the only difference is mental illness hasn't hit the chic status that addiction has. We just don't get the parade of movie stars on Larry King saying how they are fighting mental illness but boy if they get clean they run for those cameras.
Gil
poster:gilbert
thread:75755
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010822/msgs/76522.html