Posted by Simcha on September 11, 2001, at 7:54:23
In reply to Valerian Safety, posted by MB on September 10, 2001, at 12:15:03
MB,
Please listen to yourself and your doctor. If you both determine that meds are for you then please do yourself a favor, don't resist.
I've been in 12-step groups for six years now and I fought getting meds. Finally the depression smacked me hard enough that I was willing to try anything. My therapist AND my doctors had tried to tell me that I needed meds for years. Of course, my sponsor knew better and I needed 12-step to save me from addiction, right?
Well, let me tell ya. I've learned that addiction and mental illness may be 2 sides of the same coin yet both require seperate treatment. For my mental illness is a medical problem. There is a medical solution these days, thank G-d, in the form of medication to balance my brain.
You may wish to read this book:
"I Can See Tomorrow"
by
Patricia Owen (Hazelden)It is written for those of us who are in 12-step recovery who are suffering from depression. It helped me to see why I might need medication to balance me out.
I'm also learning that some of the indoctrination that I received in 12-step has held me back. I'm not the fragile "powerless" person that I was when I went in. I am powerful. I may not be able to use my substance of choice without dire consequences. Over that I remain powerless. Yet powerlessness is not an excuse to allow myself to not take charge of the rest of my life. I have a great hypnotherapist who is helping me to empower myself.
The 12-steps are necessary for me to get through my addiction and into recovery. Unfortunately the 12-steps are not the solution to all my problems. It's taken me six years in recovery and plenty of sobriety to realize this. Just remember, "Take what you like and leave the rest." That goes double for your sponsor's prejudice against medication that will help you to balance a chemical imbalance in the brain.
Peace and Serenity,
Simcha. ;-)
poster:Simcha
thread:78477
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010907/msgs/78570.html