The consequences of our addictive behavior

nique · Senior Member

The consequences of our addictive behavior

lani · MIP Old Timer

Hi Allison
Hope youre having a better day today. Just a suggesstion, try to learn to trust your doctor and do as he says. Take the meds he might prescribe to you as ordered! They can be jerks but Im hoping they know what they are talking about when they prescribe or dont prescribe certain things for us. Be honest with him, let him know what you need. But, do it as directed!!!!
Just like AA, stick around long enough and things will get better. People will get to know you and offer suggestions to help you through some difficult times. I always thought I knew what I needed, but come to find out, the choices I made were usually wrong! Ive learned to listen and follow directions! What a difference my life is today!

Good luck!

Returned_Here · Veteran Member

Hi Allison,

Thank you for sharing your pain. I'm not sure if you've been to NA before, but please consider going.

If you haven't told your doc you are a friend of Bill W, please consider dong so. There are medicines they can give you that are not addictive but will help you if you need medication. Doctors can only help us by as much information we give them. Remember, secrets keep us sick. Telling my doctor that I am a recovered alcoholic/addict was one of the best things I ever did. I was very scared to do so, but that was my addiction screaming at me saying "Don't do it! We might not be able to score if you do!!"

When you go to pick up any prescription you never have to get the whole month's worth. You can pick it up one week at a time to help keep temptations at bay.

Know you are loved....and prayed for...

Love & Hugs,
Stephanie

Doll · MIP Old Timer

At my 1st or 2nd week of AA meetings a few years ago it was recommended that I seek medical attention for many reasons. 1) have liver checked 2) have a doctor be aware of my alcoholism and stopping drinking should I go into DT's and 3) we neglect ourselves when drinking so much that we don't eat right, rest properly etc, so getting an overall check up is a good idea.

Although I didn't drink daily, I have a HUGE capacity for alcohol and I started to feel mild withdrawal about day 4, by the time I was about 10-12 days sober I was getting scared b/c I couldn't sleep, I was 'jumpy' and just plain uncomfortable, so I went to see my GP. Upon telling him of my illness and how I was treating it, he asked "would you like me to give you something to take the edge off? 2mg valium would do it" My immediate response was NO. Not only did I NOT take his prescription I walked out of his office and found myself a new doctor...... You see, I want to be clean and sober. And although I'm not a pillhead, and haven't used drugs since 1992, I was terribly afraid of trading one addiction for another as I'd heard in meetings early on.

It wasn't easy and it didn't happen overnight, but I was so glad I didn't take that prescription. I wanted and still want to be FOG free. I want to feel what I feel, good, bad, indifferent. To me, taking something to take the edge off is not sobriety. It's just trading substances. If I wanted to continue to walk in the fog, I'd have kept drinking....Now, before anyone jumps on me, of course if someone needs more than AA, has been diagnosed with something, etc, then by all means, take the meds your doctor prescribes. But if you dont' really need them, and we all know if we really do or not, then say 'no' and give it time for the fog to lift. You'll be amazed.......((hugs))

Returned_Here · Veteran Member

Hi Jennifer,

I'm like you. I am battling high blood pressure, but I don't want anything that would cause me to not have sober thinking. I pray they never give me something that causes me to have foggy thinking or that tempts me to relapse. When they offer me something, I always jump on the net and check out the side effects to see if it could create a problem. (Shoot, I make enough bad decissions on my own without foggy thinking too!)

Back in '93, I got hurt pretty bad in an auto accident and had to be in a wheelchair for a while, then on crutches and finally a cane for 2 years, leaving me with repercussions that will last a lifetime of pain. When I came to AA, I decided to discard all narcotics from my life and did. Since I got sober, I have also been clean and I refuse to take anything stronger than Ibuprophen (spelling?) for pain. It's been over 7 years and I still have doctors that I have to say "NO" to over and over when they offer me narcotics. I left one doctor's office and have never returned because he kept trying to push narcotic pain killers on me and I got tired of saying no. So instead of accepting to shut him up, I shut him up by not going back. idea

Until a recent divorce shook my world and this high blood pressure thing started (several months arriving) the quality of my life since AA has been beyond what I have ever dreamed possible.

Love & Hugs,
Stephanie

-- Edited by Returned_Here at 18:11, 2008-07-29

Doll · MIP Old Timer

I too have hypertension, alcohol induced. Plus I have MVP, I take 25mg of Topril XL once a day. Keeps the BP normal and my heart from feeling likes it's going to beat out of my chest. NO side effects whatever, except for about the first week it made me a little drowsy.... Keep a watch on that BP, nothing to play with.

(((hugs)))