khendal46

I just don't get it. I have daily panic attacks due to social anxiety. I never go out and meet new people because of my severe social anxiety. I have multiple panic attacks at work where I start sweating, shaking, and can't control my thoughts; it is SO embarrassing I sometimes have suicidal thoughts because of it. I cannot maintain friendships because my anxiety keeps me locked in the house some days.
I have been sober a little over a month. I have a sponsor and go to AA meetings. But I am just supposed to suffer through this??? I am doomed to have a life where I can't take any medications to help with my anxiety because of the chance that I might abuse them or "because I won't be truly sober". If I get an injury, I have to be in constant pain because I am not allowed to take anything that "changes the way I feel". AA states that they have "no opinion on outside issues" and "[they] are not doctors", but the AA doctrine and opinions from most members sure points to the contrary!! I don't freaking get it!!

suki44883

If you take medicine as prescribed, and do not drink, then you are sober. There are some who ride a rough line about not taking anything, but I don't think most people agree with that.

No one expects you to suffer with pain or extreme anxiety, at least, I certainly don't. Have you gone to a doctor about these issues? There are medications out there to help, and I wouldn't feel at all guilty for taking them as prescribed.

Dee74

Noone should have to suffer

This is the official AA line on medications - maybe pick up a copy of this pamphlette and wave it under some peoples noses next time they give you a hard time.

http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-11_...ersMedDrug.pdf
Linked with the permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.




D

khendal46

Thanks for the reply! I have actually read this one before, and I was happy with how open-minded their stance seemed to be. The problem is that it seems to me like everyone in AA just ignores this. The members make up the fellowship itself, and mostly seem to believe the polar opposite of this, that "the steps cure all". I was watching some reality show the other day where one girl said she Xanax prescribed by a doctor while she is sober and attending AA. All the other people immediately questioned why she would be "taking pills when she is an alcoholic". This just once again shows me that ignorance regarding mental health treatment in recovery is just engrained in a lot of peoples brains. I guess I may be fighting a losing battle trying to question this but I don't think it's right!

I know I can't control other people's opinions about it, but it frustrates me to no end that if I were to be in AA and be taking Klonopin for example, I would still have to be dishonest about this to avoid judgment and having my sobriety "invalidated" by most AA members. Being dishonest and sneaking around are hallmarks of the lifestyle I live when I am in active addiction, and that is not the way I want to live anymore! Living honestly truthfully in all areas of life feels so much better and ignorance and judgement around the medication thing makes that hard.

least

Ignore those who 'play doctor'. I'd just tell anyone who gave me a hard time that they are not my doctor and not authorized to dispense medical advice.

suki44883

Maybe you could try a different meeting? Not all meetings are the same. Sometimes it takes some searching to find the right fit for us.

Soberandhealthy

I like the title of your thread for A different reason. Why I had to suffer and give up the only thing that make me normal make me okay. Well it's also destroying my life I can't have it all alcohol and a family and a husband and my dogs and being successful at my work I just can't so I feel the nose is closing around my neck for me I need to stop before I loss everything myself included. Maybe it's too late.

I don't want to crash your thread with my issues so maybe I offfer some feedback one go to a different meeting two they may be giving you some in their opinion good feedback this is not about alcohol you are an addict and you will get addicted to anything that alters your moods.

I know I will but you also deserve to feel better so it's important for you to tell your doctor you are an addict. Just my two secs peace and love for you.

SineadOConnor

I too am having a difficult time but I'd like to share my strength. As said, no one should have to suffer. My anxiety is bad right now but I know why. I drank last night with a friend in the backyard, therefore, I'm paying a price today. I also listen to my body and its telling the alcohol raises havoc to the nervous system and consequently, I'm anxious today. NOW, I do take medication and when I don't drink they work. Regarding AA, we have to do what we need to do for ourselves. Yes, they have there own set of principles and they have worked for millions. What I'm trying to say is "To thy own self be true." Now I have to just listen to myself.

Forward12

Many people in AA do have a pretty hardset mentality that taking any medications means you are not sober, which is just plain wrong.
I also battle with pretty severe depression and social anxiety, I see a therapist and take medication which helps me quite a bit.
I would perhaps try different meetings and get a new sponsor, also I think starting to see an addiction specialist would be a great help. I would not let a sponsor or members of AA force you to live in misery when you need help.

PhoenixJ

I see AA as a guide on drinking. I see the counsellor I meet with as guide to working on the reasons why I drank.

SoberCAH

I go to AA for help with my drinking problem.

I go to my doctor for help with my health care issues, which include anxiety and depression.

I don't ask for anyone's permission or blessing, nor do I need anyone else's approval.

Ain't their business.

Horseseatgrass

And what would the motivation be for someone at AA to have a problem with a member taking anxiety medication ?

A. They care so much about you

B. They know everything

C. Jealousy

I did the AA drinking part of the story here and I know how those cats opperate , they think its not fair if someone takes the medicine they would like to. I am not a psychologist but its the jeoulsy talking .

No one cares when anyone takes the useless antipressants or the zombie ass mood remover make u fat pills but forbid it by God if you use the ones that actaully work.

Never understand these quacks where is the logic ?

You are mentally ill and need to take medicine every day but you can't have the medicine that actually works on your condition becuase it causes dependency and if you become "addicted" you will have to take it every day.

Wait what ?

You are mentally ill and need medication every day but you can't have those benzo ones that work cause you may become dependent and need to take them every day.

You are telling me what ?

Horseseatgrass

It can take longer then a month to learn to control anxiety without drinking, how long were you using alcohol for anxiety ?

Alcohol makes the bad loop becuase it cures then causes more anxiety to grow back so you need it again, same thing with the anxietyy pills. Same bad feedback loops

tomsteve

the program of AA is for a drinking problem.
doctors, are for the rest.

" AA states that they have "no opinion on outside issues" and "[they] are not doctors", but the AA doctrine and opinions from most members sure points to the contrary!! I don't freaking get it!!"

i have read the big book and countless AA literature over and over in the 12+ years ive been in AA and have yet to come across any of this doctrine stuff.
is there a chance there was a misunderstanding of what ya read?

Sometimes there are cases where alcoholism is complicated by other disorders. A good doctor or psychiatrist can tell you whether these complications are serious.

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

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 hesitate to take your health problems to such persons.

those are just a few places in the BB that tells us to seek outside help

gregknight

khendal, while AA can be extremely helpful, you are not there to please certain people in AA. You are there to get help and support. I went through what you are going through, becoming so agoraphobic that I would not even go out to check my mail without peeking out the door first to make sure no one was there. I would not even shop for anything unless it was late at night or early in the morning, to avoid people.

I am not going to diagnose for you but I finally got help and that has been integral to my maintaining the sobriety I have now. There are anti-depressants for example, that help with anxiety and are not addictive. I have been on one for about seven months now. I see a therapist once a week and he is certified with addiction recovery as well. I'm not telling you that you need to do this. I am telling you that your number one priority is you. Your life, your health. Don't let anything get in the way of that. IMHO, alcoholism is a complex disease of both the body and mind, and I would include the spirit in there as well. I would get whatever help you think you need and don't worry about what others may think.

Horseseatgrass

Symptoms of antidepressant withdrawal include:

anxiety
fatigue
nightmares
trouble sleeping
depression and mood swings
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
abdominal cramping
flu-like symptoms
headache
sweating


Please define non addictive. I don't understand what that means.

gregknight

No doubt which is why one should never cut-down or stop taking AD's without the supervision of your medical provider. With them, it can be done safely and with a minimum of withdrawal symptoms.


There are anxiety specific non-addictive drugs like Vistaril or anti-depressants like Bupropion that help with anxiety as well as depression. That is what I have been taking and it has definitely helped both my anxiety and my depression. It potentially has withdrawal symptoms as well, if I were to suddenly stop taking it, but that is different than addiction as with benzodiazepine medications such as Xanax, Halcion, Valium, etc.

*Again, note; do NOT rely on my experience etc. Rely only on your medical provider's assistance.

Horseseatgrass

Quote = the above posts

So if I understand this correctly the definition of a "non addictive" psychiatric drug includes getting sick if you discontinue the drug.

Here try these non addictive medications, after you take them for a wile you will get the withdrawal sickness if you decide to stop taking them.

I still don't understand what non addictive means.

gregknight

In the context of what you are asking.....yes. All addictive (habit forming) drugs have withdrawal symptoms but not all drugs that have withdrawal symptoms are addictive drugs. For example, most antipsychotic medications have withdrawal symptoms, some severe, if one suddenly stops taking them, but most all of them are not addictive. Indeed, with many the problem is in getting patients to regularly take them, not difficulty in getting them to stop.

This isn't my take on it. It's the medical industry's take on it. AMA, FDA, etc., classifies most antidepressants as "non-habit forming", non-addictive, despite the fact that they may have side effects and patients can suffer from withdrawal symptoms if abruptly stopping them.

Lautca

Well, gosh!
I was a professional drunk for 25 years and am coming up on 20 years sober in October. My lumbar 3, 4, and 5 discs got squished pretty bad about 50 years ago, and the pain is so bad now my doc prescribed hydrocodone for it. For about 18 months now I have been taking 1-1/3 Norco 10 mg tablets per day, and I don't get high, I don't crave more hydrocodone, and I don't want to become a professional drunk again. My pain is under enough control to make life worth living again, and everything is fine. As they say, "Your Mileage May Vary".