I do not take any type of medications.  Even if I did, they would not cause me to drink.  Very simply put .. I make me drink.  Im the one who decides to pick up a drink. 

Listening to music doesnt do that.
My husband doesnt do that.
My dog pooping on the floor doesnt do it.
Money doesnt do it.
The weather doesnt do it.
Aches and pains dont do it.

I use to blame all of the above and more for my drinking.

Today I have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.
I get better each and every day that I pray, work the steps and help others.

ljc,
you hit the nail on the head. Doesn't matter what we do SO MUCH as it matters why we are doing it, how we are doing it, and what we hope to get out of it.

I am on pain medication as needed right now, and I have to ask myself if I need it or not. And if I don't, I don't take it. I have confidence in the personal relationship I have with my Higher Power today. But some are not there yet.

For a newly recovering person who may be wet behind the ears, I can see how it would be a good "suggestion" to at least ask if there are other alternatives to other medical problems, or to have someone else hold emotionally addictive substances for them for the time being. But I refuse to suffer, at this state in my recovery, because I have faith that my program and what I do to keep working it, is sound and I can make better choices than I may have in the past. I see nothing wrong with drugs like Ambien, as they do not possess an emotional addiction, or "high". I know, there are physical addictions, like people who take too many laxatives, per se, and start HAVING to take them.... but that is not a disease of mind, body, spirit. Like Ambien. It is not a euphoric.

At any rate, I do what I have to do, and really have no business counseling someone else on what they should or should not do, that is up tho them, sponsor, and doctor. For me though, and at this point, I did not get sober so I could live with terrible pain, or sleepless nights, or whatever else people go through. Shoot, some people HAVE to take benzo's for seizures!!! So I would question any book that gives an all-or-nothing statement, if that's what the case is. My Big Book and 12&12 are the only books I choose to use for my recovery. They are all I really need.

Good topic, lots of opinions, and I'll say, that what I wrote here is just MY opinion,... I encourage others to have their own, through sponsor and other avenues.

Pizzout!!
Joni

jasperkent wrote:

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This is always a controversial subject but it needs to be addressed. I would never advise anyone to stop taking their medication, but keep in mind that not all doctors are as familiar with addiction as they should be. Do some research.

Barbiturates used to be a real problem because they act EXACTLY like alcohol on the mind and body. On the street, they were called goofballs. They are rarely used anymore except in small doses for preventing epileptic seizures.

Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, Librium, Klonopin, Ativan, etc.) should be used with caution. They do act on the brain similarly to alcohol and yes, they are addictive and often abused. My personal OPINION is that they are not dangerous if taken as prescribed. Some people have Panic Attack and/or Anxiety Disorder and really need them to be able to live a normal life. Just be very aware of how they affect you-- they can cause euphoria or confusion.

Sleeping pills come in many forms. Some, like hydroxizine, are merely antihistamines. You can't get high on them; they just make you drowsy. Others affect people in different ways, but most are safe if taken as prescribed. I agree that it's better to get to the root of your insomnia rather than take a pill for sleep.

Many of us have grave emotional and mental disorders but we, too, can recover if we have the capacity to be honest.

---

 One thing about benzo's (which I addressed in my socialanxietysupport thread but was censored) is that they seem to be non-addictive. I state this claim based on my very extensive experience at going to AA meetings.

And at these meetings, just how many people do you hear talk about their alcoholism (very many.)? How many people discuss their former meth use (again, many.)? And how many recant stories about crack useage (quite a few.)? How many have alledged heroin use (a few.)? How many complained of oxycodone habits (a few.)?
Now in your experience at AA meetings, how many times have you actually heard someone go up to the podium and spill their guts about their benzodiazepine addiction?

That's right. Probably none.

For alcoholics anonymous, this is an outside issue. The only doctors you will find in AA are ones that are there to recover from alcoholism, so they are not going to advise or reccommend meds.

Unfortunately, there are some alkies who think they ARE doctors who will give the BAD and DANGEROUS advice that an alcoholic cannot call himself sober if taking certain types of medication, and this kind of advice has killed alcoholics, and I say this from 4 cases of personal experience.

In sobriety I have contracted a number of ailments which require expert treatment, I regularly see my doctor, my rheumatologist, my cardiologist, my respiratory clinic nurse and doctor, and thankfully, by working together, whilst being aware of what medications I am taking for other ailments, and the fact that I am a recovering alcoholic, we have managed to treat my Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Lower my Blood pressure, AND maintain a reasonable pain control which is caused by fibromyalgia, without me having had, or wanting to have a relapse with alcohol.

It would be too long a list to say what meds I take, but believe me, I could SELL some of these out on the streets for good money if I was so inclined, BUT taken as prescribed, and not abused I manage to get the BEST quality of life available to me with these conditions, and I didn't get sober to become bedridden or housebound for want of taking meds which some people are in fear of.

Because of fibromyalgia, I only have to be near someone who sneezes and I get chest infections, sometimes turning to pneumonia if I don't get it treated pretty damn quick, and having been a nurse for 23 years, I have seen the inside of the hospital I worked in more than enough since I retired (due to ill health I ain't THAT old yet)

In short, if anyone tries to tell you anything about taking or not taking meds, ask them which medical school they graduated from and ask if you can see their credentials.

-- Edited by Avril G on Saturday 12th of December 2009 12:59:47 PM