Addict or just mentally ill?
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: texas
Posts: 38
Addict or just mentally ill?
So the quest for mental health treatment finally finished two weeks ago. I got into a good doc who seemed to accurately diagnose me. (Major depression and PTSD). He prescribed citalopram 40mgs.
Aside from some side effects (sleepiness, dry mouth), I haven't had the full effects hit yet but I am already less anxious. I haven't felt like using anything at all since then. I'm hoping this trend continues. I've never been medicated or had a good psych doc before.
Now I have this lingering question in my mind whether I am actually a drug addict or if I've just been self medicating my whole life. Is that possible? I guess time will tell right? we'll see how I feel at 1 month and 2 months.
Anyways things are okay..
<3
Aside from some side effects (sleepiness, dry mouth), I haven't had the full effects hit yet but I am already less anxious. I haven't felt like using anything at all since then. I'm hoping this trend continues. I've never been medicated or had a good psych doc before.
Now I have this lingering question in my mind whether I am actually a drug addict or if I've just been self medicating my whole life. Is that possible? I guess time will tell right? we'll see how I feel at 1 month and 2 months.
Anyways things are okay..
<3
Life the gift of recovery!
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Home is where the heart is
Posts: 7,061
I have been sober nearly 11 years now and still the thought crosses my mind at times that it is possible I am not an alcoholic just a person who self medicated and wound up over medicating with alcohol for my bipolar/PTSD/depression. But ultimately the conclusion I come to each time is that it really does not matter because I am not willing to risk losing any of the ground I have gained over the years. I just don't consider the off chance that I could have a drink or two without impunity worth risking having everything crash back down on my head. It has been a big enough struggle to gain what little ground I have gained in the mental health area of my life. The memory of what my life was like at the end of my drinking is still very fresh in my mind. I never want to take the chance of becoming that person again.
I wish you well in your mental health treatment and hope you find relief.
I wish you well in your mental health treatment and hope you find relief.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: texas
Posts: 38
That's totally true. I don't want to give up the months I have. These sober/clean months have been amazing and I <3 the stability. I guess some wishful thinking. It's probably not the case but ya know, dreams 
I'd miss my NA/AA friends though. I'd also have to find something to do on all those nights during the week when I'd normally be there.
I'd miss my NA/AA friends though. I'd also have to find something to do on all those nights during the week when I'd normally be there.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 6,262
I've been treated for major depression most of my life and I'm also a recovering alcoholic. I've read that the majority of recovering alcoholics also have a mental disease. They're separate and need different "meds".... medication and a serious program of recovery. AA works great in keeping me sober while my shrink keeps me sane. I need both.
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