Benzodiazepines

[psyk0]

Originally Posted by Barto

Who cares what you would recommend?

I do. And if it helps someone to not go through what I went through then that's only a good thing in my opinion...

Originally Posted by Barto

FYI, I have been taking a low dose for years with no significant increase in dose nor any abuse of any drug beyond caffeine. Do you think we may be different?

Only you can be the judge of that, same way that only you can judge whether you're an alcoholic or not. But remember: terminal uniqueness has sent plenty to an early grave

[Barto]

I agree that lying to doctors to get drugs to abuse is clearly very dangerous and would constitute a breach of my sobriety. But I personally want to hear the experience of AA members who have taken this type of medication as prescribed.

I suppose a recommendation like be careful is cool. I know "I have to be careful" is the way I’ll put it.

[Barto]

Originally Posted by psyk0

I do. And if it helps someone to not go through what I went through then that's only a good thing in my opinion...

It’s good that you care; so share it with yourself.

What if it helps someone to commit suicide? Don’t you see why this makes it important for you to share your experience and not your unqualified opinion here?

Originally Posted by psyk0

Only you can be the judge of that, same way that only you can judge whether you're an alcoholic or not. But remember: terminal uniqueness has sent plenty to an early grave

The judge of what? What are you talking about? And what does terminal uniqueness have to do with anything? Have you ever read any AA literature?

[psyk0]

Whoa easy there. I'm not saying nobody should use benzo's at all. All I'm saying is be careful with them, I've seen many alcoholics (including me) become addicted to them and abusing them. How on earth does commiting suicide help anyone? You lost me there.

And only you can be the judge on whether you have a problem with benzo's. You asked whether I thought we may be different? Only YOU can judge this. Not me.
If you use them only as prescribed and not for the buzz then in my opinion that's fine. But I'll be careful to state my opinion next time since you seem to take it quite personally.
Makes me wonder why?
What I meant by terminal uniqueness is the fact that not listening to the experience of others and claiming to be different can sometimes get you into trouble. The kind of "I'm not an alcoholic, I never drink in the morning!" kinda thinking. Catch my drift?
Nothing personal, only you can judge that for yourself.
And yes I do read AA literature, why do you ask? Is that the measurement you use to test how 'valid' someone's post is?
Ever hear the slogan: "don't compare, IDENTIFY"?

[Barto]

Originally Posted by psyk0

…suicide … You lost me …

People commit suicide as a result of not taking properly prescribed medications.

Originally Posted by psyk0

And only you can be the judge on whether you have a problem with benzo's. You asked whether I thought we may be different? Only YOU can judge this. Not me.

That’s why a I ask that you try to share your experience and not your opinion. I know we are different here. It was a rhetorical question.

Originally Posted by psyk0

… I'll be careful to state my opinion next time …

Thank you. We all have trouble with this from time to time. So, I understand.

Originally Posted by psyk0

… you seem to take it quite personally. Makes me wonder why?

It irritates me a little when people repeat things they’ve heard at meeting or from other AA members and then repeat these things as if they had anything to do with AA when they don’t.

Originally Posted by psyk0

What I meant by terminal uniqueness is the fact that not listening to the experience of others and claiming to be different can sometimes get you into trouble. The kind of "I'm not an alcoholic, I never drink in the morning!" kinda thinking. Catch my drift?

Again, I appreciate your sharing your “experience.” It is your opinion I don’t care about at this point.

Originally Posted by psyk0

… yes I do read AA literature, why do you ask? Is that the measurement you use to test how 'valid' someone's post is? Ever hear the slogan: "don't compare, IDENTIFY"?

I’m not much of a slogan guy. I prefer reading AA literature (with my own eyes) like the Big Book, aka "Alcoholics Anonymous." If I seem irritable, it’s mainly because you are sharing a lot of opinion (tantamount to medical opinion), when you should be sticking to “your experience.”

The reason I asked you whether you’ve read any AA literature is that it is obvious from your posts that you haven’t read AA’s literature on medications, and you are ignoring what may be inferred from the “Big Book” on the subject. I posted a link to the relevant literature above. You may want to read it over and you’ll see that AA clearly states that you should not be sharing your opinion on this subject. Here’s the link again for your convenience.

Alcoholics Anonymous :

[psyk0]

Originally Posted by Barto

It irritates me a little when people repeat things they’ve heard at meeting or from other AA members and then repeat these things as if they had anything to do with AA when they don’t.

That's not what I meant to do at all. Just stating you should be careful with your meds, since I know what they can do from experience. But isn't it the people in AA that make AA? And I don't mean make it to suit them personally, but that certain lifelessons and experiences can be helpful to everyone?

Originally Posted by Barto

I’m not much of a slogan guy. I prefer reading AA literature (with my own eyes) like the Big Book, aka "Alcoholics Anonymous." If I seem irritable, it’s mainly because you are sharing a lot of opinion (tantamount to medical opinion), when you should be sticking to “your experience.”

Again, I'm not one of those "taking medication is a breach of your sobriety and if you need medicines you're working the program wrong" types. It's true that some alcoholics do indeed need medication. The fact is though, that benzodiazepines are highly addictive. And with a history of substance abuse, you should be careful with them. From that I speak out of experience.
I guess I stated it wrong by saying I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, for that I apologize. It is ofcourse, something between a patient and his/her doctor.

Originally Posted by Barto

AA clearly states that you should not be sharing your opinion on this subject. Here’s the link again for your convenience.

Thanks, I had read the pamphlet before.
It also states that alcoholics have a peculiar susceptibilty to sedatives and tranquilizers. My point exactly about being careful with medication, especially benzo's.

[Barto]

Originally Posted by psyk0

… isn't it the people in AA that make AA? And I don't mean make it to suit them personally, but that certain life-lessons and experiences can be helpful to everyone?

The book states that “Alcoholics Anonymous” is a fellowship of men and women who have recovered…” So it can be said that it is the people in AA, the AA members, which make up “AA,” or more precisely “The Fellowship of AA.” However, AA is really a multifaceted entity consisting of: The Fellowship of AA, as defined above; The Twelve Steps of AA, that make up The Program of AA; The Big Book (entitled “Alcoholics Anonymous”), that is text book of AA; The Traditions, Concepts, and a slew of literature that clarify certain aspects and issues which, also, are all part of AA; and of course a loving God (or a Higher Power if you prefer) that presides over us all.

Other’s experiences have been extremely helpful and probably necessary to my recovery from “alcoholism.” This is true. But there is a difference (and I know you understand it) between sharing experience and giving medical advice, the latter of which AA states is between the AA member and that member’s doctor. “No AA Member Plays Doctor.” That’s all I was saying.

It is this “making it up to suit them personally” that concerns me. We have little organization, but we do have some organization – through which all this literature came into being.

Originally Posted by psyk0

The fact is though, that benzodiazepines are highly addictive.

Benzos “can” be highly addicting, but there are some that can take them or leave them. However, I hear you and I agree, alcoholics should be careful with mind altering drugs. And that is precisely why we have doctors and guidelines (the pamphlet that you read) to guide us on this path. BTW, caffeine, nicotine, and even cough medicines “can” also be highly addicting. I saw a news show dealing with kids stealing OTC cough medicine to get high on it – some even OD’d on the stuff.

Originally Posted by psyk0

I guess I stated it wrong by saying I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, for that I apologize. It is of course, something between a patient and his/her doctor.

That’s all I was saying. No big deal. Like I wrote above, this is the only part of your share that wasn’t really sharing. I didn’t catch that you were new at first, so I may have been a little too direct. So for that I apologize too.

Like I said in your "girlfriend thread," welcome to SR and to AA. If you are an “alcoholic,” AA is a great place to be!