Attending AA whilst on anti-depressants
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 39
Attending AA whilst on anti-depressants
I relapsed after 600 days sober, i'm unemployed and suicidal so I'm taking anti-depressants, what is the AA policy on this?
I've only been to three meetings and don't have a sponsor. Shall i tell them?
I've only been to three meetings and don't have a sponsor. Shall i tell them?
Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,137
Hi Slangking! There are no official rules or policies on that. In the preamble it says "The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking." As anywhere in this world, people at AA can have very different opinions on most things and it can happen that you will find some who are against antidepressants or any other form of medication. Don't let their opinions hinder you from getting as much help and support as you need though!
I personally am on a very light antidepressant and a lot of AA friends have been on them for ages.
Support to you!
I personally am on a very light antidepressant and a lot of AA friends have been on them for ages.
Support to you!
Guest
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8,674
There's no need to teller group or really anyone, unless you want to, that you are taking prescribed and monitored meds. Plenty of people have diff opinions on whether or not psych drugs are good, etc but that's not the issue you are raising- it's your choice and no, IMO and in many others and doctors, mental health meds do not have any ing to do with your sobriety except helping it.
Glad you are seeking professional help and returning to AA and I'd definitely be working with a sponsor.
Glad you are seeking professional help and returning to AA and I'd definitely be working with a sponsor.
Forum Leader
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 16,945
As others have mentioned, AA is there for those who have a desire to quit drinking. You are under no obligation to tell anyone about your healthcare decisions. Glad to hear you are making active attempts to work on your alcohol issues, that's what 's most important.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,308
Hi Slangking,
I don't have an opinion either way but if you were at the point of wanting to take your own life and the meds are helping you and you are seeing a doctor I don't see an issue.
Bill W suffered depression, one of the members here may be able to supply a link to how he handled it and his thoughts. I know when I stopped drinking my moods began to even after a time.
Sorry to hear that you relapsed but if you can/want to I would be interested in what lead up to the relapse. It's good that you are going to meetings and posting here, it does get better as you probably know. Keep posting
CaiHong
I don't have an opinion either way but if you were at the point of wanting to take your own life and the meds are helping you and you are seeing a doctor I don't see an issue.
Bill W suffered depression, one of the members here may be able to supply a link to how he handled it and his thoughts. I know when I stopped drinking my moods began to even after a time.
Sorry to hear that you relapsed but if you can/want to I would be interested in what lead up to the relapse. It's good that you are going to meetings and posting here, it does get better as you probably know. Keep posting
CaiHong
Quit 4/17/15
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Pa
Posts: 15,176
At AA meetings I have attended, I have seen large consumptions of coffee and cigarettes. These are mind altering drugs too if one wants to be a purist. Taking anti-depressants is no one's business but yours and your doctor. AA is about quitting alcohol.
Guest
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,271
There are many people in AA like you described yourself.
If you happen to run into someone at a meeting who is in your face that you're not sober if you're on antidepressants, RUN. Find another meeting.
Clinical depression is a medical issue and only something a doctor or trained therapist--outside of AA--should be speaking to you about and treating you for.
There's a difference between "depression" and "clinical depression".
Members in AA are not medical doctors. Some people are depressed because they're alcoholic. Once they recover, their depression is lifted. But some people are alcoholic because they're depressed. It's my opinion/understanding that the former can be treated in AA. The later need outside help.
Having a spiritual awakening can help you recover from alcoholism. Having a spiritual awakening does not cure clinical depression.
If you happen to run into someone at a meeting who is in your face that you're not sober if you're on antidepressants, RUN. Find another meeting.
Clinical depression is a medical issue and only something a doctor or trained therapist--outside of AA--should be speaking to you about and treating you for.
There's a difference between "depression" and "clinical depression".
Members in AA are not medical doctors. Some people are depressed because they're alcoholic. Once they recover, their depression is lifted. But some people are alcoholic because they're depressed. It's my opinion/understanding that the former can be treated in AA. The later need outside help.
Having a spiritual awakening can help you recover from alcoholism. Having a spiritual awakening does not cure clinical depression.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,432
https://www.aa.org/assets/en_US/p-11...ersMedDrug.pdf
linked by permission AA World Services Inc.
linked by permission AA World Services Inc.
• No A.A. member should “play doctor”; all
medical advice and treatment should come from a
qualified physician.
medical advice and treatment should come from a
qualified physician.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Christchurch, NZ
Posts: 517
AA has no policy on it, but there are occasional members of AA who forget that and offer up their unsolicited opinion.
But you'd get know all's and busybodies in all realms of life anyways.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Getting sober is the most important thing you can do, so do what it takes.
But you'd get know all's and busybodies in all realms of life anyways.
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Getting sober is the most important thing you can do, so do what it takes.
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