Posted by Simcha on September 15, 2003, at 20:22:43
In reply to Recovery and prescription meds, posted by hog80ci on September 8, 2003, at 21:46:39
Jim,
It took me six years in recovery to get to a point where I was ready to take medication. I resisted because in recovery I was told to stay away from anti-depressants.
I think that there is much more understanding these days. The straw that broke the camel's back for me was when my anti-med therapist told me to go to the doctor because I was not eating (I lost 15 pounds in like two weeks), I was not sleeping at night, I slept all day, I was unemployed, and I was unable to look for work. I went to my gp and he was overjoyed that I finally was willing to take medication for my Major Depressive Disorder. He had suggested medication a year before that and I told him, "H**l no."
Well that started my climb out of life-long depression. I don't ever remember not being depressed. I thought everyone did not want to wake up in the morning and that everyone would rather be dead than alive. Well, in my family that is normal.
Finally I realize that I have an imbalanced brain chemistry without medications. I still want to be off of the meds. I just know that life was unlivable three years ago. It took me a paralyzing Major Depressive Episode to finally ask for proper help. This is the way it was with the addiction too.
I will never let some 12-step Nazi sponsor brainwash me into believing fear-based propaganda that says that meds are evil. I now realize that it is fear, projection, and ignorance that drive some of my fellow 12-steppers to insist that medication is evil. I find that I need to stand up for myself in my programs now that I know better. I hang out with the winners who accept me the way I am.
It is up to me to take care of myself. It's unfortunate that I went to people who initially could not help me with my depression. It fed my addiction so much. Now I'm more sober than ever. It's a blessing.
One Day At A Time,
Simcha
poster:Simcha
thread:258232
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20030903/msgs/260424.html