crzylilmndfreak

my last drink was March 08, and i was so proud of that date, untill Nov. when i took several pills, and my husband says i have to start my sober date all over, i was wondering any opinions?on that? what does AA say about something like that?
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Astro

I'll just share my experience and belief, rather than what I think AA says about it, OK? What I've come to understand is that if I take any form of medication as it's prescribed, it's not a relapse. If I were to take an excessive dosage for the purpose of altering my feelings, mood, etc. then I've compromised my state of sobriety and I need to change my sobriety date.

What are your thoughts? Do you feel it was a relapse? Have you discussed this with your sponsor and what was his or her suggestion?

Pinkcuda

This just came up last week!
AA says this! Agree or Disagree but this is from the horses mouth.
I don't know if the horses mouth is worth any more than the other end of the horse since our leaders are but trusted servants and do not govern.
http://aa.org/pdf/products/p-11_aamembersMedDrug.pdf
http://aa.org/pdf/products/p-35_ProO...anAlcohol1.pdf

Believe808

I have to agree with Astro. If you are taking prescription meds according to label and not to get high or alter your mood than No, BUT if taking to alter your mood and not correctly than I would start my count over as I have myself. Only you know for sure what the correct answer would be.

CarolD

I do take several meds daily...as prescribed
What and why I take them is between myself and my doctors.

My AA recovery/ committment is between God ... AA....myself.
If I took pills not prescribed...or abused them
I would change my DOS.

It's all about being honest about motives for me.

Welcome to our Alcoholism Forum

tommyk

Thanks for posting on this topic. I often ask myself the same question.

Here is my own answer to myself -

If I take a medication to just get high, without any medical problem, I 'used'.

If I take a medication to alleviate a medical problem, in its proper dose, I didn't 'use'.

Therefore... I believe the answer lies within myself: why did I take the medication?

(I personally don't see any clear-cut answer because we each need to be honest with ourselves on why we take the medication. If someone wants to claim sober time while using drugs I will still congratulate them, its not really my business, I should only really be concerned with my own clean/sober time.)

Dean62

I agree with everyone who has responded, you know the reason/motivation for taking the pills, if it was get a buzz or alter your mood then it was a relapse.

Your sobriety date isn't as important as the quality of your sobriety. Wheather you change your date has little to do with the growth you have had since March 8 of 2008. That growth and experience won't change even if your sobriety date does. Stay focused on the solution you have found in sobriety and steer clear of behaviors that may lead you back out there. Sobriety dates aren't what keep us sober.

I love AA but it's opinion on my sobriety date doesn't really matter. AA is there for us if we want it. That being said your husband must have a concern with your honesty. That is the real issue here. Honesty is essential for us to be able to see and do what we need to maintain sobriety.

Thanks for sharing with us, it's a good question.