Posted by Dalilah on February 9, 2004, at 12:48:58
In reply to Re: My pdoc is Crazy????? (and coffee too) » Dalilah, posted by ramsea on February 9, 2004, at 4:51:49
I am sad and angry to hear your story. I too am pretty anti AA after receiving much support for 5 years in. I've heard numerous stories of people directed NOT to take their meds, that the 12 steps would relieve there depression, and then these people ended up committing suicide, something that may very well have been avoided with meds.
They have a few (very few) dual-diagnosis meeting here in La La Land, but probably not in remote areas of the globe. I am very leary of these meetings and have only attended one I liked. A friend is dragging me to a new one on Wed night. Wish me luck. The other problem is it's an hour drive from here (more in traffic.) OUCH. This kind of thing only leads to more depression for me.
There are also those who take meds but won't tell anyone cause of the shame etc, which I fear only perpetuates the stigma of the mentally ill. But that's another situation entirely.
-Dalilah
> I have experienced this from AA in the UK. It ruined my career and reputation---their lack of acceptance of bipolar and its treatment, and my wellnesss as a result. I am now quite anti-AA. Their attitude hurt me badly, nealy killed me and now has cost me a lot in terms of counseling jobs in my small region. Over some 20 years my social suport was mostly 12-step, so having lost that center of my life I have no friends, zero. It's been hell. I am recovering from a very destructive breakdown, but matters would have gone more smoothly had the AA members who called me their good friend actually stood by me during hospitalization and convalescence. I have to reinvent myself.
>
> Remake a life. At 47, no easy task. I also have to keep looking the other way as most of the former friends don't want to say hello--which is fine. But it is all so awkward. I do hope to move away from here someday. There are a few rehab centers around here, so in a small town that makes the whole situation a little, excuse the word, tight.
poster:Dalilah
thread:238206
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040204/msgs/311282.html