guitarjeff

Hello, first post, new to recovery, just recently recieved my 9th month chip for sobriety. I entered Rehab back in December 2008 and have been sober since. I am involved in AA and started going back to a recovery church, which has helped me stay sober, I also have alot of family support. Recently though I have started to experience this past month on and off like waves of depression. Sometimes I wake up at 0200 0r 0300 in the morning when I have to be up for work at 0530. It is always the same thing that bothers me all the time, it's my 16 year marriage, not happy and has seem to have gotten worse since recovery. This depressions will stay with me 1/2 the day and comes and goes, I have almost left and comtiplated divorce. It is hard though because I have 2 beautiful daughters (twins), 12 years old. I have an appointment to see my pychiatrist on Monday, possibly looking for antidepression medications to help me though this. My men in my AA group suggested getting avaluated, may have underlining issues that I am not aware of. Some of the men have been on antidepressant drugs for a while and are doing fine with them. I do not want to relapse and go back to alcohol, I fear I will loose everything, job family ect. Looking for anybodys suggestions on this

Thanks, Jeff

least

Seeing a shrink and possibly starting antidepressant meds can be an important step in solving this depression problem. I've been on anti depressants for years, and they do help a lot... especially now that I'm sober. Take whatever steps you need to take to help yourself get thru this depression. All the best to you.

stone

I have them too. I am already on ADs, have been for years and upping the dose didn't work for me last time.

It could be that drinking masked the depression or it could be that it is just a normal part of some peoples recovery to go through this.....

Don't forget PAWS. Post Acute Withdrawl - Relapse Prevention Specialists - TLC The Living Center

Horselover

2 great posts already having replied to your question. I can only add that I believe you are doing what's necessary and I would say to every problem there is a solution. Maybe your therapist will help you find the solution to it. I had depression when I first went off the alcohol and as Stoney mentioned, I had the moment of P.A.W.S. at certain times of recovery. I am much better now and have started meditating and getting more out of discovering what makes me tick. Things WILL get better. I promise!

Anna

I'm glad you've got an appointment to see a psychiatrist.

I had depression/anxiety long before I began to drink and never was able to get it figured out. So, drinking was my way of self-medicating when things got really difficult. I had to get the depression treated before I could get sober. I have been on antidepressants for years now, and am doing fine. They help to level the playing field for me.

tommyk

Check with the doctor, see if he/she thinks you need meds.

Don't let some non-medical 'purist' try to tell you that a drug is a drug, and that you shouldn't take medically prescribed meds. That's the kind of advice that keeps people sick.

Congrats on your sober/clean time.

Keep coming back.

Dee74

You've already had some great advice here Jeff, so I'll just say welcome
anyone with Guitar in their screenname can't be bad

I hope the psychiatrist will help
D

robbo78

Got to agree with Heast, Stone & Horslover, welcome and Good Luck

Robbo

thirtybubba

Welcome, and congrats on the 9month chip.

I just have to agree with what's already been said...

-TB