Posted by Tony P on September 17, 2003, at 20:07:36
In reply to Re: Recovery and prescription meds » hog80ci, posted by Simcha on September 15, 2003, at 20:22:43
It took me two years in recovery to get to the point of _just wondering_ whether I might be depressed AS WELL. I went in fear and trembling to my counsellor and doctor - both said "no risk for chemical dependency on these meds". And so it proved, although I still felt guilty for about a year, as Rx meds had been a big part of my addiction at one time.
Now I understand it's become a common dual diagnosis - depression AND addiction disorder - two separate but highly interactive diseases.
Ten years ago, I found plenty of "NAzis" around the relevant twelve-step program. Nowadays, I find many of my fellow-sufferers are also on A/D and are quite willing to talk about it at meetings - or especially over coffee afterwards!
At a treatment centre last year, I wanted to wean off all meds, but was told by the staff psychiatrist, "Not a chance. You've had at least one major depressive episode. If you go off A/D, you are endangering your recovery". Just one Pdoc's opinion about one person, and I would still like to learn what Tony is like now off A/D's. But I am back in early recovery (39 days!), so I am not about to rock the boat. I am uncomfortable with being on even a low dose of Valium (10mg/day) and sleeping pills (Zopiclone), but my doc & I have agreed to go v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y at reducing my meds, with my base A/D, Serzone, the last to go.
Not all A/D's are equally safe (IMHO) for those of us with addiction issues, but I'll start a new thread for that.
Tony
> Simcha wrote:
> 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.
> [snipped]
> 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.
>
poster:Tony P
thread:258232
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/subs/20030903/msgs/261151.html