Mental illness and Addiction
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: New England
Posts: 5,285
Mental illness and Addiction
We all talk about self medicating and how addiction causes depression and other mental illness. I worry about people who are more than just addicts and need professional help for real mental illness. Since I got sober my depression and anxiety have been non-existent...lucky me.
I worry that someone who is sober and still suffering from mental illness does not benefit from SR and other supper groups and in fact might be hurt by them because they do not get professional help, relying instead upon their groups.
Thoughts?
I worry that someone who is sober and still suffering from mental illness does not benefit from SR and other supper groups and in fact might be hurt by them because they do not get professional help, relying instead upon their groups.
Thoughts?
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,436
I see a lot of support here - for everyone - and where appropriate that support includes recommendations people seek professional help....none of us are doctors or therapists.
But ultimately, what other people do is beyond my control.
D
But ultimately, what other people do is beyond my control.
D
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,778
I dunno... I read a lot of posts recommending counseling and/or shrinks and so on. Lots of people post about problems that sound like depression or anxiety and a lot of times others will recommend that they see a mental health professional to be checked out for possible depression or whatever.
There's also a lot of support in the mental health forums. It seems to me, as an alcoholic with bad depression and anxiety, that my alcoholism might have been 'brought about' by the mental health issues, causing me to 'medicate' my difficulties to excess, making the mental health issues a lot worse.
I've noticed that tho the depression and anxiety are a lot better now that I'm sober, they're still not entirely gone. But boy oh boy, just staying sober does me a world of good and doesn't cause more depression/anxiety.
There's also a lot of support in the mental health forums. It seems to me, as an alcoholic with bad depression and anxiety, that my alcoholism might have been 'brought about' by the mental health issues, causing me to 'medicate' my difficulties to excess, making the mental health issues a lot worse.
I've noticed that tho the depression and anxiety are a lot better now that I'm sober, they're still not entirely gone. But boy oh boy, just staying sober does me a world of good and doesn't cause more depression/anxiety.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Hmm....
When my doctor diagnosed me with situational depression
he suggested AA. I went....within a few weeks
it lessened immensley.....by the end of 2 months.....
had vanished.....without meds.
My experience only.....
and I often suggest members seek professional advice
for both physical and mental concerns.
SR is for peer support....we can not diagnose what
anyone needs for medical or mental issues.
When my doctor diagnosed me with situational depression
he suggested AA. I went....within a few weeks
it lessened immensley.....by the end of 2 months.....
had vanished.....without meds.
My experience only.....
and I often suggest members seek professional advice
for both physical and mental concerns.
SR is for peer support....we can not diagnose what
anyone needs for medical or mental issues.
I got nothin'
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: My house.
Posts: 4,890
I suffer from depression (and sometimes anxiety), I'm sober, and I benefit greatly from SR. I see a therapist and I take prescribed meds. I use all the tools I have to stay as well as I possibly can.
I don't think recovery groups hurt, but I do think mental illness is not taken seriously enough. I wish there was more awarness about depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia, etc. I thought that once I got sober the bad thoughts and feelings would go away. It got a lot worse. I was in denial that I was suffering from depression.
I got help. I still need SR, though. I can't separate the depression from the addiction--the two feed off of one another. SR helps for the addiction side of things and even sometimes with the depression. The therapy is mainly for depression, but at times I talk about addiction. I'm not explaining this well, but I'm tired.
I don't think recovery groups hurt, but I do think mental illness is not taken seriously enough. I wish there was more awarness about depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia, etc. I thought that once I got sober the bad thoughts and feelings would go away. It got a lot worse. I was in denial that I was suffering from depression.
I got help. I still need SR, though. I can't separate the depression from the addiction--the two feed off of one another. SR helps for the addiction side of things and even sometimes with the depression. The therapy is mainly for depression, but at times I talk about addiction. I'm not explaining this well, but I'm tired.
Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oxnard (The Nard), CA, USA.
Posts: 13,949
My mental illness cannot be treated alone by the mutual support self-help program variety. I've tried that rout and it almost killed me. I'm sure the lay people that attend groups like that mean well but, some of the suggestion I have heard in meetings can be fatal to people like myself. That's why I need a reality check and get that from professionals over at the mental health clinic. True, self-help groups can be a good addition to my treatment program but to rely on then alone is a recipe for disaster...been there...done that.
Dismember
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: The Mitten, USA
Posts: 1,641
Much so. I had problems with mental illness many years before I had problems with alcohol, even before I'd ever tried alcohol. I was a self-medicator and though I can't say for certain I don't believe I'd have been able to maintain much sobriety just through AA alone. Getting psychological therapy and AA both work to keep me from drinking and from problems caused by my illness.
It's sort of as if one suffers from a chronic pain issue and drank to alleviate it, even if they become sober they still ought to treat the pain as well.
It's sort of as if one suffers from a chronic pain issue and drank to alleviate it, even if they become sober they still ought to treat the pain as well.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bristol TN/VA
Posts: 12,431
I smoked pot for awhile (and yes, I have a pretty low opinion of that now).
But here's what happened when I received medications for my mental illness: as soon as they kicked in and started working, the next time I smoked pot I hated it. I hated the way it felt and couldn't wait for it to wear off.
So it seems pretty apparent that my brain was needing feel better chemicals and I really didn't understand that but used a so-called recreational drug to try to change my head to feeling better.
But here's what happened when I received medications for my mental illness: as soon as they kicked in and started working, the next time I smoked pot I hated it. I hated the way it felt and couldn't wait for it to wear off.
So it seems pretty apparent that my brain was needing feel better chemicals and I really didn't understand that but used a so-called recreational drug to try to change my head to feeling better.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 166
I am a mental mess without my meds and professional help and I believe that anyone in recovery whether with mental illness or not can benefit greatly from the site. Support is support, and mental illness is irrelevant in benefiting. I think we may even benefit more so than people without any mental illness because it's therapeutic for us.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 25
I noticed this post and wanted to comment. I have a son who has both mental illness and addiction issues (dual diagnosis or co-occuring conditions). From all the information I've read and gained from psychologists and psychiatrists, if a person has a dual diagnosis the symptons need to be treated simultaneously. The 12 step programs are excellant to help with addiction issues but as others have pointed out if you have also have a mental illness it needs to be treated with therapy and possibly medications.
Whether the mental illness causes the drug addiction or the drug addiction causes the mental illness is still up for debate, and it might be different for each individual, but where both exist, both need treating.
There is actually a dual-recovery 12 step program, if anyone were interested. However it also does not take the place of getting proper medical help for the mental illness.
There are other resources for mental health out there, two I use are NAMI and DBSA.
This is a very good topic and I'm glad it was brought up.
I'm also very glad that those of you who commented that when you notice someone is depressed or has other types of mental illness that you recommend they seek professional help in addition to the 12 step programs.
Whether the mental illness causes the drug addiction or the drug addiction causes the mental illness is still up for debate, and it might be different for each individual, but where both exist, both need treating.
There is actually a dual-recovery 12 step program, if anyone were interested. However it also does not take the place of getting proper medical help for the mental illness.
There are other resources for mental health out there, two I use are NAMI and DBSA.
This is a very good topic and I'm glad it was brought up.
I'm also very glad that those of you who commented that when you notice someone is depressed or has other types of mental illness that you recommend they seek professional help in addition to the 12 step programs.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,237
I have in the past self medicated...with alcohol and mostly stimulant drugs like cocaine..I was diagnosed with bipolar and since taking my meds,seeing my doc...practicing meditation and living well I feel wonderful....it feels like I have been reborn again... before seeking help my life was a mess...I was a mess....my dui made me realize that I needed help.....and at almost 9 months sober I will by the grace of God never go back!!
Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bristol TN/VA
Posts: 12,431
Table. Proportion Expressing Negative Attitudes Toward Mental Illness in 2006
Attitude Schizophrenia, % Alcohol Dependence, % Major Depression, %
Unwilling to work closely with 62 74 47
Unwilling to socialize with 52 54 30
Unwilling to have marry into family 69 79 53
Unwilling to have as a neighbor 45 39 20
Attitude Schizophrenia, % Alcohol Dependence, % Major Depression, %
Unwilling to work closely with 62 74 47
Unwilling to socialize with 52 54 30
Unwilling to have marry into family 69 79 53
Unwilling to have as a neighbor 45 39 20
Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oxnard (The Nard), CA, USA.
Posts: 13,949
Originally Posted by Anewday
There are other resources for mental health out there, two I use are NAMI and DBSA.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 617
Funny this post would come out now at this point in my life. Found out I'm a high-functiong autistic, with Schitziod personnality disorder. Swell. Add the booze & dope, I was a totally insane for 30+ years. It's managable now that I have I cleaned up, but people such as I CANNOT or use drugs- not even weed, which I used to think was harmless.
Last edited by mikefreak; 10-23-2010 at 09:56 AM. Reason: misspelling
Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 650
I have Attention Deficit Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder (So basically, if I am acting crazy, you can distract me with something shiny 
)
I am on meds for BPD, but not for ADD, so it is a little hard on me sometimes. Even sober, I forget what I am talking about in the middle of a conversation 7-8 times a day, am a distracted driver (My husband drives if we go someplace together, and I can not transport my 2yo son, I only drive myself).
I am learning to live with it, though. I haven't tried medication for it because my first drug abuse was my ritalin in middle school.
)I am on meds for BPD, but not for ADD, so it is a little hard on me sometimes. Even sober, I forget what I am talking about in the middle of a conversation 7-8 times a day, am a distracted driver (My husband drives if we go someplace together, and I can not transport my 2yo son, I only drive myself).
I am learning to live with it, though. I haven't tried medication for it because my first drug abuse was my ritalin in middle school.
Dismember
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: The Mitten, USA
Posts: 1,641
Anewdaytosmile,
I haven't been in AA for a very long time, but I've been getting the impression that the program as a whole is becoming a lot more aware and educated on mental illnesses. There is a lot of encouragement for people to get psychological help as well as the steps. I still come across a stubbon-a## now and then who swears medications are just another drug to get high off of and seeing a therapist means you're doing AA right, but I hope they're a dying breed.
I haven't been in AA for a very long time, but I've been getting the impression that the program as a whole is becoming a lot more aware and educated on mental illnesses. There is a lot of encouragement for people to get psychological help as well as the steps. I still come across a stubbon-a## now and then who swears medications are just another drug to get high off of and seeing a therapist means you're doing AA right, but I hope they're a dying breed.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1
Originally Posted by anewdaytosmile 
I noticed this post and wanted to comment. I have a son who has both mental illness and addiction issues (dual diagnosis or co-occuring conditions). From all the information I've read and gained from psychologists and psychiatrists, if a person has a dual diagnosis the symptons need to be treated simultaneously. The 12 step programs are excellant to help with addiction issues but as others have pointed out if you have also have a mental illness it needs to be treated with therapy and possibly medications.
Whether the mental illness causes the drug addiction or the drug addiction causes the mental illness is still up for debate, and it might be different for each individual, but where both exist, both need treating.
There is actually a dual-recovery 12 step program, if anyone were interested. However it also does not take the place of getting proper medical help for the mental illness.
There are other resources for mental health out there, two I use are NAMI and DBSA.
This is a very good topic and I'm glad it was brought up.
I'm also very glad that those of you who commented that when you notice someone is depressed or has other types of mental illness that you recommend they seek professional help in addition to the 12 step programs.
Whether the mental illness causes the drug addiction or the drug addiction causes the mental illness is still up for debate, and it might be different for each individual, but where both exist, both need treating.
There is actually a dual-recovery 12 step program, if anyone were interested. However it also does not take the place of getting proper medical help for the mental illness.
There are other resources for mental health out there, two I use are NAMI and DBSA.
This is a very good topic and I'm glad it was brought up.
I'm also very glad that those of you who commented that when you notice someone is depressed or has other types of mental illness that you recommend they seek professional help in addition to the 12 step programs.
Dismember
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: The Mitten, USA
Posts: 1,641
Hello courageoushope,
It's not that we don't want to help, but SR has strict rules regarding anyone dispensing medical advice (and for good reason I think.) You'll have to ask your health care provider for details about that.
What I can tell you is that I have been on medication, prescribed by a psychiatrist, that made my condition worse than it was before. It's a good idea to tell your prescriber about any concerns regarding medication. That's the only way they really know what to do.
It's not that we don't want to help, but SR has strict rules regarding anyone dispensing medical advice (and for good reason I think.) You'll have to ask your health care provider for details about that.
What I can tell you is that I have been on medication, prescribed by a psychiatrist, that made my condition worse than it was before. It's a good idea to tell your prescriber about any concerns regarding medication. That's the only way they really know what to do.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,436
Hi courageoushope
Isaiah's right - it wouldn't be in your, or your husbands, best interest to get that kind of information here, even if it was within the rules. None of us are doctors and none of us know your husbands clinical history.
If your husbands not happy with his doctor, please encourage him to find another one
D
Isaiah's right - it wouldn't be in your, or your husbands, best interest to get that kind of information here, even if it was within the rules. None of us are doctors and none of us know your husbands clinical history.
If your husbands not happy with his doctor, please encourage him to find another one
D
Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oxnard (The Nard), CA, USA.
Posts: 13,949
As a dual-diagnosis person in recovery I do get Ativan (a benzodiazepine) from my Psych Dr. to treat my panic attacks. I get a low dose and I take the medication as prescribed. However Ativan is a drug with a high potential for abuse so I'm very careful not to abuse it. I value my sobriety enough so that I am not willing to take any chances with it. The Ativan is an very important medication because it has helped when all other medications I have been on failed to effectively treat my panic symptoms.
Anywho that's just my experience. I have known other dual-diagnosis persons that have abused their benzodiazepine med's and have relapsed. Being under a doctors close supervision is always best.
Anywho that's just my experience. I have known other dual-diagnosis persons that have abused their benzodiazepine med's and have relapsed. Being under a doctors close supervision is always best.
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