therapy with drugs?

[lindapat]

I am just about to turn 4 in the world of sobriety. It's been a good ride, lots of learning, but still I continue to feel no joy. I recently went to visit a therapist I had worked with for a number of years--a very open, loving woman who helped me much and when I came in the doors of aa was totally thrilled saying- the only thing you were missing was your soul and now you can find it! She is not pushey and will help as I choose. I went to her because I continue to be filled with anxiety, guilt and overall don't seem to enjoy anything I do. At the same time I am being led in many new directions to explore just who I REALLY AM!!! She gave me an option of going for an evaluation with a psychiatrist and possibly getting on antidepressants and doing cognitive therapy work with her or just doing the cognitive therapy work. I opted for the psychiatrist to get that evaluation and see where it leads. Now I'm "afraid" of the reaction of those at my meetings. I do believe this is where I need to go right now, but worry--can this option result in positive growth or do I just deceive myself???

[CarolD]

Well done on your sober time! Welcome to SR

Mark will be along but I wanted to say Hello.

As for AA and meds..I take what is needed
as prescribed...and feel it is between my doctor and myself.

Our SR forums..AA and Alcoholism are full of support
Why not check them out?

Take care...

[debmar]

Hey Lindapat, congratulations as well on your sobriety. Hey your my neighbor too couple towns over. My husband was an addict and sober for years on his own, got depressed and relasped back to drugs, recently overdosed nine months and one week today. We did take him to the psychiatrist, he was under the influence while taking the prescribed zoloft, but when he had sober days, he was a little happy. He was like you nothing really exited him like the norm in a person. I on the other hand, have been seeing a psychologist, and he sent me to the psychiatrist, I'll tell you he did prescribe an antidepressant and I tried it for two days, lexipro controls anxiety and depression on duo they call it. I was emotionless on my husband's birthday when I tried them, I don't what to mask my grief or emtions and I stopped. I am not an addict though and I do feel for you it would'nt hurt for you to try, you could always stop too. I am on klonipin for the anxiety since my husband's relapse and I take it as I need it for the grief now, and am very happy it's not addictive for me, although others in the sub forum have had adverse issues addiction etc. But I'm not an addict, I'm the codepenant. If interested my psychologist I'm seeing has been a godsend, he specializes in drug addiction for the past twenty years, I first seen a women when my husband died and thought she was so heartful, she did'nt do jack for me. This guy has helped me so much, because my addict was taken in the worst way to go after ten years of sobriety on his own. so he helps me with issues related to the addict and the post traumatic stress and flashbacks I get from the last year of his life. Never stop going to your AA, as they say it works if you work it. My husband never got it, he tried. PM me anytime, I'm local by you here and I might consider my psycologist because of his credentials. He sent me to a psychiatrist in Hinsdale that is a wonderful man as well. Very compassionate and well knowledged. The drug he prescribed is great but it just wasn't for me. All our bodies are different. And it's hit or miss, when my Husband started zoloft within a short time she really increased him. She was terrible the worst ever, downers grove don't go there, she just asked him if he wanted a higher dosage and he's like that's what I'm coming to you for. Sincerely, Debbie

[Sazzer]

Hi lindapat! Nice to meet you and congrats on four years!

God-willing, I will celebrate my one year sober on August 2. I have been on Zoloft the entire year (as well as a few months prior to quitting). After a few months sober, my psychiatrist added Wellbutrin and I've been on both ever since. For me, it was a necessity at the time to push through the fog I was living in. I had no joy for anything anymore, was very pessimistic about everything. So I drank because it made me feel better. In sobriety, the meds have been helpful just to stay in a more centered frame of mind. I was dealing with a lot of anxiety as well as depression, and the meds just took the edge off of the anxiety so that I could function. Now at almost a year sober, I am tapering off the drugs. I have done a lot of work with a therapist and on my own (journaling, reading, etc.) and am ready to face the source(s) of my depression & anxiety.

So, I didn't think I deceived myself by taking the meds, rather I think they allowed me to be able to step back a little, take a personaly inventory and begin to find out who I was without alcohol and all the accompanying personas.

My opinion, of course. You will make the right decision.

Best,
Sazzer

[MarkSichelCSW]

Some people in AA could have judgements about being on psych meds, but I think you're doing the correct thing by going for an evaluation. Psych meds in my opinion do not diminish or interfere with a persons sobriety and growth with the 12 steps.

[upanddownjj]

I had quite a few problems with Long timers in AA who were misinformed and did not have experience with Clinical Depression..Thank God I had a great Sponsor and some others to support me...7 years later I am still Dual Diagnosed and realize that the 12 Steps will not cure my Depression no matter how hard I try..
I had to be careful about Psychiatrists tho and make sure I wasn't put on Benzos..they are VERY addictive - Sometimes an Addictions Doctor is a good idea if there is a good one in your area.
I can't think of the page right now, but there is somewhere in the Big Book where it talks about AA having no Opinion on outside issues and to leave medical issues to the Doctors..I think I've mixed up a Tradition with the part in the BB I'm trying to think of - It's getting late...xoxo Hang in
Keep praying for that Sponsor that your HP will lead you to

Janni

[Funnybunny]

Dear lindapat, I think you are doing the right things. You know, somewhere in the big book it says something about getting outside help when you need it. I don't know how long you have been depressed but I know that anything over a month or two without improvement probably needs to be helped. I have taken different antidepressant in my life but when I was drinking I would have to not take them or they may have killed me, almost did one time.Anyway, I have 12 years sober and I am taking them again and this time they are really helping. I feel better than I have in years. You know, in my experience most people feel some depression when they are first sober. Some get over spontaneously, but many others need outside help. Anyway, itis my opinion that you should continue seek assistance. Just don't forget working on your program. Good Luck