ANTI DEPRESSANTS Do they help

[aaparis]

Hi, can anyone tell me if anti depressants can help in early recovery (alcohol recovery)
Thanks

[nandm]

It is not uncommon for a doctor to prescribe them for the depression and anxiety that can come with early sobriety. Anti-depressants help me but I also have a chemical depression rather than situational.

[shutterbug]

Nan is right. There are also a variety of anti-d's out there....some work for some and others don't. It's very individualized. So if one, or one combo, doesn't work, a doc might very well keep trying with different meds until finding something that works. Sometimes it can take a while.

welcome to SR and to the MH forum,
Jenna

[Isaiah]

Yes! But only if you're depressed and a (good) doctor approves a prescription.

They've been very helpful for me. I used alcohol because I had a lot of emotional problems that I was letting go untreated and unchecked.

[Lilyflower]

From a long term sufferer of my personal addiction which is codependancy and other addicted people, I have had depression for over half of my life (I am 28).

During my depression I have tried to abait the feeling by delving into my ''fix'' of controlling and being emotionally manipulative, avoiding responsibility, avoiding looking at myself.

I have taken substances to numb my overwhelming feeling, having falsly hoped that by finding a way to ignore the pain and supress it I would get through the days and feel better.

In all those years, nothing stopped my depression. It ebbed and flowed and some times where better than others.

Taking anti depressants helped me get through the low patches, helped me feel brighter, more able to cope with the feelings of low self worth, low self esteem, worthlessness etc. When I would begin to feel better I would be taken off the meds by my doctor.

However it always came back. Always

I know now that was because I never once in all that time, looked within me, dealt with my inner messages, my low self esteem. I never once used affirmations, positivity. I allowed myself to be blown around by every wind in my life, and looked to others to stabalise me. I never found my inner strength and convinced myself I had none.

Since having found the 12 steps, since having learnt to accept myself, take my own inventory and work on me, I have not been depressed and I have learnt how I can save myself and protect myself from the things that would push me back into the black depths of depression. I learnt to be me and I am wonderful!

From my es&h, I would say that no meds will take away your depression, it will help to make you feel better short term, but to truely heal yourself I would say that immersing your self in the 12 steps is by far the best way to go for long term lifetime healing. Also check out ''inner bonding''

Relationships, Relationship Help and Advice, Personal and Spiritual Growth, Parenting Advice, Inner Bonding

Lily xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[justanothrdrunk]

Originally Posted by aaparis

Hi, can anyone tell me if anti depressants can help in early recovery (alcohol recovery)
Thanks

Help with what? Staying sober? Or with depression?

I've been on various antidepressants for a few years now. Been on the same one (Effexor) for a while now. I was on it both while drunk and sober.

All I can say is that things are good for me now. Could be a combination of the meds, the recovery program, not loading up on the booze, etc.

I'm sober and I'm happy. And I'm on the meds.

[nandm]

Originally Posted by Lilyflower

Since having found the 12 steps, since having learnt to accept myself, take my own inventory and work on me, I have not been depressed and I have learnt how I can save myself and protect myself from the things that would push me back into the black depths of depression. I learnt to be me and I am wonderful!

From my es&h, I would say that no meds will take away your depression, it will help to make you feel better short term, but to truely heal yourself I would say that immersing your self in the 12 steps is by far the best way to go for long term lifetime healing. Also check out ''inner bonding''

While I respect your opinion and experience mine is quite different. I have been sober nearly 8 years now using the program and tools of AA. The Steps helped with the situational depression I was experiencing but did not address the chemical depression that I have. Only anti-depressants have helped that depression. The steps can do nothing for a depression where someone's life is good but yet their brain tells them every morning they wake up to put a gun to their head. Even knowing that this thought is insane because life is good does not stop it from being the first thought that hits the head in the morning. That is what chemical depression does to me. That is why I take anti-depressants and will continue to do so. I am treating a real medical/chemical problem with the medication.

[Latte]

Having a good head doc who you are very very honest with is the best route to go. I have been on antidepressants several times. I was at a point where my depression was causing thoughts of self harm and I got help.

I am not on meds now but would not question my doctor at all if she said I needed to go back on them. She has been amazing and supportive and I am so greatful to her.

[historyteach]

From my es&h, I would say that no meds will take away your depression,

Ah, yes, but, *your* experience doesn't speak to anyone elses depression.
It only speaks to your own depression.
That's why it's best to share your own ESH,
and leave it at that.
Others can then decide what to take,
and what to leave behind....

Situational depression, as a result of drinking or death or the loss of a job or spouse or any number of things, is far far different than chemical depression.
It's comparing apples and oranges.

Anti-depressants can help with both.
Short term with situational depression. Long term with chemical.

My best wishes to you.

Shalom!

[Lilyflower]

Woah there! I have had a chemical depression myself, I know all too well how that can feel, if you read my post again I think you will see that what I said was that the tablets helped me to get better, but that once I was off the meds, life would throw it's sh*te at me, and I would be back in the doldrums again.

none of you know how severe my depression was, and I suffered for 15 years or so, so please don't make out like my depression isn't as serious or flippant, that is unfair to me. I posted my experience as a differing view point.

All I was saying to the original post was that I believe, my opinion from my es&h, ws that tablets help, but to get rid of it for LIFE you need to address yourself, your mind set.

I did not once tell the original poster ''you should do this'', I spoke from my truth, in the I and I kept it to my personal experience.

Take what you want and leave the rest, but do not assume you understand my illness, I did not assume to understand yours.

That said, peace and happiness to you all, I hope you have a great day.

Lily xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[historyteach]

No one is assuming anything, Lily.
It's the words we are addressing.

From my es&h, I would say that no meds will take away your depression,

"My esh" "Your depression"

While everyone is glad that you've found your way out of the dark shadows,
And happy that you are sharing your ESH with others,
It's impossible to state that your own experience will be the same for others.
If it were, there would be no need for SR. One size would fit all.

There are people who need medication for life.
And to save their life.
To suggest otherwise is dangerous to them.

Too many depressed and bipolar people have listened to other well meaning people suggest that they do not need their medication. And have died as a result of listening to that suggestion. Suicide is a very real possiblity for them.

So, while your experience worked for your depression, it may not be so for others. Your experience was true for you.

I've learned if I keep my experience in the personal, I can share it and others can take what they need and leave the rest. Cuz, what works for me may not work for others.

Shalom!

[Lilyflower]

Communication is a bit*h. When I say ''your'' I am talking in the third person, I quite often speak that way; not directing advice - I would not assume to do so.

I am glad now that we are on the same page of thinking.

Aaparis, I hope you find a way to work with your depression as I have managed to do with mine. I hope you have not mis read my post as me telling you what to do, I am not a doctor and as I say, I have had my depression for 15 years before I managed to get control of it. During that time I was on and off meds/counselling/therapy. I have felt suicidal, not left my house for weeks on end etc etc etc you know the score. It has taken a long time to figure out a way for me to help me.

I hope you understand that all I wanted to do was share some hope with you that something eventually worked for me, that has provided a parmenant solution, when I was beginning to think I would never get out of it. I wanted to share with you that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I did not mean for your thread to become highjacked over the eccentricites of human language which this has unfortuantely become.

I will therefore bow out at this point.

I hope you find healing,

Much love and blessings to you
Lily xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[BreakFree]

Hello Everyone

Lily...I am new to this forum and for what it's worth, I knew exactly what you meant and took every word you wrote as your own personal experience. Your post was very helpful to me. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day!

[Lilyflower]

Thanks Breakfree! It's good to know that I have helped some one by sharing my experience, which was always my intention!

Much love and peace to you
Lily xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[BreakFree]

You are very welcome!

[Thanks2HP]

They've helped me. I've been taking them for about 4 years. I stopped in June for a while but started taking them again because, surprise!, I got depressed again. I don't feel a buzz or anything (thank goodness), I just don't have to hit those really low points.

Best of Luck!