Posted by gilbert on June 24, 2001, at 10:35:36
In reply to Re: Addictive meds in general:Gdog, Gilbert JCB, posted by JCB on June 23, 2001, at 23:27:44
JCB,
I would agree with what you said in your previous post. I have been helped significantly witht talk therapy in areas like family dysfunction, self acceptance etc. I have been very dissapointed lately though to realize all the talk therapy in the world won't stop my panics. I went through these same feelings about AA when I realized it would not fix some things for me....was I to forever remain broken. I think the meds help but they are not without side effects. The xanax will make you tired and can give you a mild dose of depression. I am currently on low dose luvox trying to abait the xanax due to tremendous guilt and feelings of inferiority....especially around AA. I may have to accept xanax in my life as the only solution to the physiological symptoms of panic. I am very tired of trying to solve this problem with what ever technique or therapy is availed me. I have been wired this way since age 4 since my little brother died. I am not sure therapy can rewire circuits that entact or that old. I am now 42. You did mention that therpists and counselors etc. were not affiliated with AA. I know the literature and how it states it's non affilation mantra yet.......the therpay boom was a direct result of the popularity of treatment centers and in house counseling to be continued on outpatient basis. I have been around meetings since the late 70's. The therpay field has grown leaps and bounds as a direct result of affiliations to AA. Only since insurance companies getting greedieer has the pace slowed. The invention of AA was self supporting only in the first 30 years. The last 25 to 30 has seen the rise and fall of treatment centers, the rise and fall of pyschological phases...inner child issues, codependency issues, etc. Most of these offshoot industries especially therpy has been a direct result of treatment center mantra. Most people are referred to a therapist from a loving member in AA or Alanon. The therapist I see I always know someone in the lobby from meetings. The comingling of therapy and 12 step groups is furthered by lecture series at alano clubs, open talks, etc. Now don't get me wrong I think this is a good thing. The more help the merrier. But the days of AA as a self supporting institution have been gone since the late seventies boom of rehab centers.
P >S > I always thought we should visit Lois's grave on founders day. She stood by a man who couldn't hold down a job, brought drunken strangers home, chased other women even after sobriety, Did Bill even have a real job after getting sober? Lois must have made more coffee than Mrs. Folger.....I credit her with founding AA. If Bill didn't have her money, her home, her work ethic or her loyalty....me thinks AA would not be here.
Gil
poster:gilbert
thread:1356
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010618/msgs/67654.html