Treating Bipolar With AA Only?

[geekorunique]

This is something that I am struggling with. My psychiatrist has said that I should go on mood stabilisers for a while. It will stop my really low periods and I will be able to function a lot better. The trouble is when I have shared this with some people in AA they seem to disapprove of such medication. Some days I can't get out of bed because I just want to sleep constantly. There are other nights when I lie awake unable to sleep and I go in cycles like this and have done for as long as I can remember. I can't predict when this will happen it just does. Times of severe stress do tend to make it worse.

I've done my twelve steps for the first time, I'm in two groups, I have a fantastic sponsor. But I just want to know what people would suggest. I guess I want reassurance? The extra tablets wouldn't be forever either. It's just til I level out a bit.

Any comments would be much appreciated thanks :0)

[Lenina]

geekorunique,

I'd say go with your doctor's advice. Bipolar is a medical condition. Would they say a diabetic should forgo insulin? I believe they are wrong. If your doctor knows about the addiction issues, s/he is in the position to know best. Maybe your sponsor could go to an appointment with you to discuss any concerns?

Love,

Lenina

[CAPTAINZING2000]

How long have you been sober?

Took me a couple of years to get emotionally sober.

Does, your Dr. know you drank heavy?

[doorknob]

Originally Posted by geekorunique

The trouble is when I have shared this with some people in AA they seem to disapprove of such medication.

People in AA dispensing medical advice should be held accountable, civilly and criminally.

[Spiritual Seeker]

My 24 yr. old Addict son has been to two rehabs in the past and then quickly relapsed.
Ea. time he was diagnosed as bipolar.
His depression led way to suicidal thoughts and attempts. He always refused medication.

He is now in long term rehab (11 months) AND he is following directions.
He has agreed to mood stabilizer and antidepressant.
It has made a world of difference. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MANY YRS. HE SAYS HE WAKES UP AND ACTUALLY THINKS HE IS HAPPY, HE CAN PICTURE A FUTURE, HE SEES A REASON TO STAY SOBER, THE SPARKLE IN HIS EYS HAS RETURNED, HE ENJOYS ACTIVITIES, HE IS MAKING PLANS, ETC.

If you have a chemical imbalance why not treat it?
There is nothing wrong with feeling okay. Life does not have to be a challenge.
Why struggle. Follow the advice of your doctor and just maybe you will see the same changes that my son is experiencing.

[geekorunique]

Thanks to everyone. I always know that I will feel better if I share what is going on in my head.

I'm eight months sober today. I've had these feelings for a long time. I'm so up and down and I have been my whole life. Even from childhood. I feel hopeful now - that there's going to be a brighter day for me. Most days I really am ok but like now it's nearly 7am and I haven't slept yet. I could spend days and days awake.

Going to try and rest for a bit - even if I'm not sleeping if I'm lying in bed resting then that's ok!

Love and God Bless to you all xxx

[stone]

Originally Posted by doorknob

People in AA dispensing medical advice should be held accountable, civilly and criminally.

And then shot!

This really gets me angry and is not even approved of by AA itself!

"...A.A. members and many of their physicians have described situations in which depressed patients have been told by A.A.s to throw away the pills, only to have depression return with all its difficulties, sometimes resulting in suicide. We have heard, too, from schizophrenics, manic depressives, epileptics, and others requiring medication that well-meaning A.A. friends often discourage them from taking prescribed medication, Unfortunately, by following a layman's advice, the sufferers find that their conditions can return with all their previous intensity..."

"It becomes clear that just as it is wrong to enable or support any alcoholic to become readdicted to any drug, it's equally wrong to deprive any alcoholic of medication which can alleviate or control other disabling physical and/or emotional problems."

Reprinted from The A.A. Member - Medications & Other Drugs, with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.

"Now about health: A body badly burned by alcohol does not often recover overnight nor do twisted thinking and depression vanish in a twinkling. We are convinced that a spiritual mode of living is a most powerful health restorative. We, who have recovered from serious drinking, are miracles of mental health. But we have seen remarkable transformations in our bodies. Hardly one of our crowd now shows any dissipation.

But this does not mean that we disregard human health measures. God has abundantly supplied this world with fine doctors, psychologists, and practitioners of various kinds. Do not hesitated to take your health problems to such persons. Most of them give freely of themselves, that their fellows may enjoy sound minds and bodies. Try to remember that though God has wrought miracles among us, we should never belittle a good doctor or psychiatrist. Their services are often indispensable in treating a newcomer and in following his case afterward."

Reprinted from Alcoholics Anonymous, with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.

[stone]

If it turns out that you are bi-polar maybe you could check out Dual recovery Anonymous, it is where I found the quotes I posted.

Dual Recovery Anonymous - a 12 Step Fellowship

[historyteach]

Thank you, Stone, for posting what I was going to go looking for!
Geek,
Bipolar disorder is a medical condition. You wouldn't treat a broken leg or a heart condition with the 12 Steps would you? No, it would be rediculous! LOL!

And you wouldn't go to a well meaning group of folks to get advice for your diabetes condition would you? Sure they mean well, but, they are *not* medical professionals.

The AA fellowship is a fine group of people, working together for mutual support in their desire to quit drinking. The 12 Steps are life principles that help lead to a full, spiritual life. But, neither the fellowship nor the steps were designed to treat medical conditions.

AA takes *no* stand on outside issues. So, when those people expressed their disapproval about your medication, they were speaking as individuals giving their opinions. They were *not* speaking for AA. And really, who cares what their opinions are, right? If they don't have a medical degree, would you accept their opinion about the heria operation you need next time around?

Please listen to your doctor and yourself. The two of you are partners in your health care. No other opinion matters.

Let us know how it goes. We care.

Shalom!

[historyteach]

Thank you, Stone, for posting what I was going to go looking for!
Geek,
Bipolar disorder is a medical condition. You wouldn't treat a broken leg or a heart condition with the 12 Steps would you? No, it would be rediculous! LOL!

And you wouldn't go to a well meaning group of folks to get advice for your diabetes condition would you? Sure they mean well, but, they are *not* medical professionals.

The AA fellowship is a fine group of people, working together for mutual support in their desire to quit drinking. The 12 Steps are life principles that help lead to a full, spiritual life. But, neither the fellowship nor the steps were designed to treat medical conditions.

AA takes *no* stand on outside issues. So, when those people expressed their disapproval about your medication, they were speaking as individuals giving their opinions. They were *not* speaking for AA. And really, who cares what their opinions are, right? If they don't have a medical degree, would you accept their opinion about the hernia operation you need next time around?

Please listen to your doctor and yourself. The two of you are partners in your health care. No other opinion matters.

Let us know how it goes. We care.

Shalom!

[bugsworth]

geek...congrats on your sober time!!! I agree with DK anyone in aa who gives the advise to not use medication for a real medical condition should be held accountable. I have read more than a few post from members of aa (and non aa members) who have seen this advise kill people. If a doctor told a patient to stop taking their insulin and pray instead they would lose their license and face criminal charges...too bad uneducated folks in aa can't be held accountable in the same manner.

Listen to your doctor!!! Best of luck!

[scott]

I would most definitely disagree with the folks in your AA group and follow medical advice to take the medicine. With co-occuring diseases, they both must be treated in order to be effective in recovery. You will need to treat the bipolar and the alcoholism otherwise your chance of relapse will increase significantly. Trust me, I'm in the same boat except with opioids.

[stainedglass]

I dealt with something similar when I tried out CA about 3 years ago. They were all telling me that I absolutely cannot be on any form of mind-altering drugs while going through the program. I'm not so sure they were referring to the other drugs as much as the xanax. I understand this is a highly addictive drug but thankfully, it's just not my thing. I really do just take it when I need it. Too much and I sleep. Where's the fun in that ffs? lol

So this didn't help with my continuing to attend CA when I started getting frowned upon. But my doctor agreed, I am not using this drug recreationally. I'm using it as it's medically prescribed. And if this step group can't accept that, then maybe it's time to find another group.

[geekorunique]

Thanks so much to all of you. I am due to go back to my psychiatrist at the end of the month to get my tablets. I definitely feel that I have a clearer head about it now and after a week of sleeping constantly I know that I can't live like that anymore. I need to be level or I get reminded of why I used to drink.

Thanks again to you all - am feeling much more positive about this now.

[mle-sober]

Attempting to treat Bipolar with AA (& only AA) is a little like treating bone cancer with sunlight. We all know sunlight can be highly helpful for seasonal depression. Wonderful and important knowledge. But not terribly relevant to the treatment of bone cancer!

My bet is the sunlight can be of some help because it increases our endorphines and makes us feel better. But it's not going to actually do anything to treat the bone cancer.

Bipolar is a very serious and difficult mental illness. Some who don't know what they're talking about think it's a matter of self-control. Which is crap. I've fought Bipolar for 20 years. I've been very close to dying multiple times. Don't ever for a minute accept anything except knowledgable medical help with Bipolar. Please.

[geekorunique]

Right now I'm feeling a bit low - the joys of this mood disorder I know but it's hard to focus right now and remember that it's just because of that. I came on here though because I knew that reading everyones comments would make me feel so much better. Going to phone up the psychiatrist and ask for an earlier appointment if possible. I know that I need to throw myself into more AA meetings but I do shift work and am on nights at the moment so I don't have the time that I do in my days off. Finish work on Tuesday morning though so reckon I will get myself to a meeting either after work or at lunchtime after some sleep. I need to remember the dangers of tiredness to my moods!

I feel like a baby right now...thinking that this low feeling wont ever go away. Like when a baby is teething and they cry - they think that they are going to feel that pain forever. I need to keep reminding myself that "this too shall pass".

My prayer before I go to sleep will be that I want to wake up refreshed - and I want to go to a meeting before work tomorrow. I will set several alarms for 3pm to make sure that I do this!

Thanks everyone - I got strength from reading everything on here this morning. With God...and with AA....and with SR....anything is possible right?

[mamabin]

I don't think there's anything wrong with mood stabilizers or antiderpessents when you need them. I am on both and it drives me crazy when my mother says "when are you going to get off all those pills?". Now would she be asking when would I be getting off insulin if I were diabetic? Nobody knows how you feel but you.
Not everyone knows what depression feels like. They claim to and they give out advice even though all they've known is sadness, and there's a big difference.