I left AA over a number of issues. I attended AA faithfully for 10 years and I still practice the steps. When I relapsed after that period of time I had to employ medicine in an attempt to save my life.
I had an anxiety disorder and was nearly dead from alcohol and opiates together. To keep from another relapse I went on a supervised mild tranquillizer and methadone. My 13 years of relapse behaviour stopped then. Addiction medicine has changed and I learned the difference between being dependent on a drug (like insulin) and addicted to a drug (abusing a substance.) I never got a buzz from my dosage and took it as directed on weekly dispense. I couldn't tell my story without mentioning both these drugs. It was always met with a suspicion. I had no time for such nonsense.
Is it still considered deviating from the program to use medication prescribed by an addiction doctor with a addiction psychiatrist's approval to use these meds? I'm nearly off both of them but they saved my life.
The only one I need to measure up to is myself...Peace of mind confirms that...I'm in AA for myself..no-one else nor do I feel that I need to impress..or impress my ideas on others...just pass on my experience..That's it.. Attraction not promotion...
I had an old friend hadn't seen in years..knowing I was in AA..He told me what a great organization AA was...He told me it got him off morning drinking...
The wise man says nothing...The stupid one, thinking that HE might be well intentioned.. would argue with him...pontificating and extolling the program's virtue of abstanance.
It's about you not others...if we want others to walk on our side of the street..They will in time when we get around to cleaning it up..Follow your own inner voice we all have one
I remember in my early days a guy sharing that some woman told him that by taking valium he was eating his booze. He threw away his pills and had a heart attack.
We are recovering alcoholics, we are not doctors (OK some are but you know what I mean), regarding drugs see a doctor and be 100% honest about your addictions and aclcoholism with them.
I have known a number of people commit suicide without picking up a drink, I often wonder if a temporary course of drugs might have prevented these deaths.
I take meds for an anxiety disorder. Some people have their views. I have mine. I don't abuse the meds. I used to when I was drinking. Eventually, I hope to not need these anxiety meds at all, but it will take time for me to develop more coping skills as I am still a newcomer. They always say the only criteria for membership in AA and NA is a desire to stop drinking and drugging. You have the desire. You are working towards getting off the maintenance meds you are on. Sounds like you are doing well. I don't get high from my anxiety meds either. All I notice now is I get anxious when I don't take them which is all the more reason to try and wean off them. Keep up the good work. You can always attend AA to keep working on your spiritual connection and all the other things it has to offer. People judging you need not be a concern. I have heard one person say in a meeting that marijuana was her higher power. I thought it was a bit messed up but that's her business and if AA is helping her in some way, so be it. People are supposed to take their own inventories and not yours.
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
Welcome to MIP. I do hope that you'll stay around and share your ES&H with us all.
If I needed to take any medication that was prescribed by my doctor I wouldn't have a problem with that as long as I wasn't abusing it. As you say, there is a difference between being dependent on a drug and abusing it. For this alcoholic, I know that I have to be careful what I take to avoid abuse.
Please keep posting and letting us know how things are going for you, won't you?
Take care,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
If it was me, knowing the varying opinions of AAs about prescribed maintanance medication, I'd not share about it specifically. Btw, I've known a couple of people that were on methadone, and the withdrawal was as severe as any, although I understand that opiates leave people feeling depressed for sometime in recovery.
