Posted by gilbert on August 27, 2001, at 20:42:04
In reply to Re: Abuse of Prescription Medication » Marie1, posted by Mitch on August 27, 2001, at 15:33:06
Rosa,
Alcoholism and addiction is a three fold disease, mental, spiritual and physical,.....I tried every spirtual cure known to God and man to cure my panic and agoraphobia, I have been prayed for I have prayed too I have done for others I have meditated, I have been in pyschotherapy I have counseled with priests I have done eveything possible........xanax works better and more effectively than any of the above....not to mention how angry you get at God for not curing your affliction......my enlightment occurred when realizing that my closed mindedness had not allowed me a full recovery from my underlying illness (panic disorder). I do not think valium or xanax use is something most addicts would want to try unless it is prescribed for panic and they are able to take it as prescribed.....which by the way most do. There are studies that show that panic patients do not abuse their benzos even if they happen to be recovering alkies like me. My sponsor has 28 years sober he is on prozac, effexor and xanax for sleep. He does not abuse his meds either. If everything is in a sense spiritual than I would hope one could look at the invention of life saving drugs as a spiritual tool as well, or maybe one could look at all the good that is accomplished on this board and all the giving and again feel that Dr Bob and many board members are spiritual beings who are not any less God-connected than people working the 12 steps and fortunate enough not to need meds for other illnesses. I love your enthusiasm for the fellowship and the spiritual feelings you get are wonderfull....but and this is only a caution, we need to talk again after you have been sober for 10 years and hopefully I pray to God you will not be in need of any of the medications you feel inappropriate for your own sobriety. Most alcoholics are not just addicts. I have been deeply involved with AA since the seventies. Most addicts after staying sober for a time realize that they were medicating an underlying illness like depression with the booze and then are in need of pyschiatric intervention to really get well.....and maybe the answer to the prayer is those doctors and the drugs they prescribe so they can finally live a life as full as God would want for them rather than a tortured secluded existence......Rosa trust me on this one...the steps are not a cure all for everything....not even close.....but they are certainly a great start.
best regards.
Gil
poster:gilbert
thread:75755
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010822/msgs/76655.html