The Use Of Pain Medication When In AA As Per Doctors ORDER ONLY

nursedeborah · Newbie

The Use Of Pain Medication When In AA As Per Doctors ORDER ONLY

bbthumper · Member

I hesitate to give anything along the lines of medical advice, but I know a lot of folks who have gone back out after taking prescription pain killers. I alos know many who need them, take them as prescribed and are members of AA in good standing.
I think it all comes down to spiritual fitness.

Dan B 76 · Veteran Member

I can only speak for myself. When I have had to take pain meds I have I don't take as directed I take less usually only at night so I can sleep. Also my wife knows what I am doing, she generally tells me to take as prescribed but wouldn't let me take than prescribed. When I was using pain killers weren't my thing I took them if given to me but what addict wouldn't. Now if I was prescribed uppers that would be a different story. I believe that it is a slippery slope but continous pain can also drive us to places we shouldn't be. And my opinion on what others think that is there problem if I am taking medication as prescribed and letting others know I am still clean. If others don't think I am that is there problem we are not here to judge. It doesn't hurt me if someone is using and claims to be clean and gets a chip guilt may bring them back.

Does your prescribing Dr. know you are an addict? Mine does and once when he was prescribing me something narcotic he asked "You'll tell me if you get addicted right?" I replied "No" Told him thats what addicts do. He has been my Dr. for many years and I don't think he gets it yet. Most Drs. don't have a clue about addiction.

Mr_David · MIP Old Timer

There's a pamphlet available on this topic, Deborah. It's called "The A.A. member -medications and other drugs". Just follow the link below.

http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-11_aamembersMedDrug.pdf

Jerry F · MIP Old Timer

I like this thread and the responses. I like most that my recovery is my recovery and I know me real well from doing the "what am I" inventories. I also have heard the stories of those that went back out and those that didn't and all of that helps me to make my choices. I make my choices with a clear head today...no alcohol in it at all and I live by the consequences of my choices. There are many "black or white" people in AA...either/ors and thats not gonna change by how I judge it or feel about it. I attend to my own recovery. Part of the "what I am" is alcoholic and attached to that I am also chemically tolerant...I am usually over prescribed by my doctors because it takes more to get the desired affect in and from my body. I didn't know about this until I got into program and did the discovery steps. It is also the reason that the color of my skin didn't change to its usual tan from a sickly yellowish/green color until I had stopped drinking for 5 years. I've overdosed on alcohol 3 times and didn't feel drunk before it happened to me...chemically tolerant. My neuro-surgeon pulled me off of all of my pain meds when I was in treatment for accident damage, because I was walking around under a load of drugs which "normal people your size wouldn't even be upright". He helped me look for alternative healing and I'm grateful because outside of Excedren from time to time and Acetamenophin from time to time which includes a sleep aid...I have no other prescipts available. I do not judge another fellows choice to use or not use for ligitimate purposes...I don't judge at all. I mind my own businenss. Let go....Let God. Practicing alcoholics and addicts don't like pain in any form.

Thanks for the thread. (((hugs))) smile

flipper · Veteran Member

Im glad this post came up. I had a vasectamy today and the tylenol is not really cutting it. The Dr did write a script, and even though I never had a pill problem I was still nervous to take them.

Thank you for the link, and advice.

Tanin · MIP Old Timer

Jerry F wrote:

I like this thread and the responses. I like most that my recovery is my recovery and I know me real well from doing the "what am I" inventories. I also have heard the stories of those that went back out and those that didn't and all of that helps me to make my choices. I make my choices with a clear head today...no alcohol in it at all and I live by the consequences of my choices. There are many "black or white" people in AA...either/ors and thats not gonna change by how I judge it or feel about it. I attend to my own recovery. Part of the "what I am" is alcoholic and attached to that I am also chemically tolerant...I am usually over prescribed by my doctors because it takes more to get the desired affect in and from my body. I didn't know about this until I got into program and did the discovery steps. It is also the reason that the color of my skin didn't change to its usual tan from a sickly yellowish/green color until I had stopped drinking for 5 years. I've overdosed on alcohol 3 times and didn't feel drunk before it happened to me...chemically tolerant. My neuro-surgeon pulled me off of all of my pain meds when I was in treatment for accident damage, because I was walking around under a load of drugs which "normal people your size wouldn't even be upright". He helped me look for alternative healing and I'm grateful because outside of Excedren from time to time and Acetamenophin from time to time which includes a sleep aid...I have no other prescipts available. I do not judge another fellows choice to use or not use for ligitimate purposes...I don't judge at all. I mind my own businenss. Let go....Let God. Practicing alcoholics and addicts don't like pain in any form.
Thanks for the thread. (((hugs)))

Well said, Jerry.

My sobriety is beteen me and AA.
My prescriptions are between me and my doctor.

Of course, if I abuse the prescription, that eventually impacts my AA sobriety adversely.

Yes, there are a many Black & Whiters in AA. They seem to forget about the concept of outside issues. OTOH, alkies are prone to abuse drugs. That's what the AA pamphlet says.

-- Edited by Tanin on Sunday 19th of August 2012 05:07:43 PM

SoberSteve · MIP Old Timer

The only requirement of AA is a desire to stop DRINKING.... they say you should use other programs for other issues.... I see nothing wrong with it if its for legit pain and only used as directed.

Neophyte · Senior Member

Epilepsy is not a Disease that needs narcotic treatment. Diabetics in aa don't stop taking insulin, if it was pain... I could see controversy. But epileptic attacks are life threatening. If the dr gives her meds to stop it, why wouldn't you take it. If you had a heart attack, you would take hbp meds. If you have hep c you would take interfeiron (sp?).

If you have "add" or pain... Prescribed adderall Ritalin or oxy, I could see the apprehension. But non-narcotics? Take your meds. Especially epilepsy.

chris · Senior Member

Whenever this topic comes up in a meeting, I generally don't chose to share. I tend to be very intolerant of what comes out of some people's mouths, and I know I'll have nothing nice to say. I say a prayer and look on the back of my medallion, which I keep on my keychain. "To thine own self be true"

Tanin · MIP Old Timer

chris wrote:
Whenever this topic comes up in a meeting, I generally don't chose to share. I tend to be very intolerant of what comes out of some people's mouths, and I know I'll have nothing nice to say. I say a prayer and look on the back of my medallion, which I keep on my keychain. "To thine own self be true"

Your approach (to not share) is a viable one. I support it.

It is also appropriate to provide input; E, S, H, and opinion on any topic that comes up in AA. I support that (sharing on important and contentious issues).

Both approaches have benefits to AA and members.

Both approaches have validity.

Both approaches are cruciall to the fellowship's well-being.

We would do well to choose wisely.