[barb dwyer]

dan -

I know exactly what you're saying.
And I agree it's time to get back with the doc and let him know that.

Maybe what *I* had to do will help you some.
I had to get within myself and come to an understanding that I'm not doing pain medication to get high.
Not any more.

With a 'boney-fide' medical condition -
and taking as prescribed ...
that's not ABUSING.
it took me some time
(and a year or so of maddening pain)
to understand that.

And the Program of Alcoholics Anonymous ...
in order to become ABLE to do that.

Now, I take pain medication..
and I don't get 'high' .
But I also don't HURT.
And when I don't HURT ...
I can be more effective in life.

Pain will make you crazy.
I'm walking talking proof of that one.

But we have science that enables us to function at quite effective levels
that the Founders did not have.
And I firmly believe, having read some of Dr. Silkwood and Dr. Bob ...
if they'd HAD the combinations ...
they'd have USED the combinations.

I'd go back to the doc and say just what you said here.

I had to go back again and again for months before getting a diagnosis.
And I suffered.
But I didn't 'use'.
And I didn't drink.

Sobriety and 'not drinking or not using' are two completely different things.

Sobriety is a state of being.
not a judgement.


I happen to know you a bit, and I know you're working the Program. No one else can tell you if you're 'sober' or not.
Sorry, but that 'you're not sober' comment
set my teeth on edge.
could have been phrased with a bit more compasion, I think.