I've wondered about this too. In my home group one of the guys there for alcohol. He also due to the alcohol use, has totally beat himself to death. His body just by looking at it has to hurt. Well it does and he is on oxycontin, managed carefully at a pain clinic, but oxycontin none-the-less. Its like huh?

As a medical dude I understand the need for mood stabilizers due to the impact on all kinds of neurotransmitters that substance abuse causes. And if a person can be on Cymbalta, as an example, and increase their chance to recover, take the Cymbalta for Pete's sake. But benzodiazapenes like xanax, ativan, valium, etc? Not sure I get that. Short term librium for alcohol? You bet. Alcohol withdrawal is a medical issue and needs management. But in a year from stopping if a person is still taking librium? They have a "new" problem.

As a rookie in recovery and as a long time nurse my opinion is do what you need to do to get clean. There are medications out there which if used properly will position you for greater success. If a person is using alcohol or opiates to treat depression, then get your depression treated. But for most of these medications they should be SHORT term. They need to be tapered just as soon as possible.

ALL of the recovery stuff I have seen makes it VERY clear. NO, as in NO, mind altering substances. You can't recovery and take stuff that messes with your brain.

I am not a "NO medication" guy. I'm a "take what is needed to help you recover and than get off those meds as soon as possible" guy.

Hey there, Anthony. I would like to speak frankly but do not want to step on anyones toes here, ok? First, I always like to go to the literature for my answers, if possible. BT chap 10 "More will be revealed"- It talks about taking prescribed medication and how our minds can manufacture additional pain so we can justify taking more meds. It also says a minimum of pain medication prescribed by an informed professional for pain is sometimes necessary. You can even make an argument for those who take anti depressants, mood elevators, tranquilizers, etc, that they are under a doctors care. However, that isn't a license to use- our bodies don't know the difference between medicine prescribed by a doctor for pain and medicine prescribed by ourselves to get high. I believer that the "normal" life I see,many people living is only possible because of their medications. Anyway, ultimately WE are responsible for our recovery, not our doctor.
But Anthony, I think there is a deeper problem surfacing here. Why do you think it is that it bothers you so much how other people are or aren't working their program? I had to learn early to keep the focus on myself, to not let others control my thinking. Can you agree that these people probably want to get better and recover? And that they are probably, most of the time, doing their best? Sure, they aren't perfect and they might not even really be totally honest, but what does that have to do with you? I found that as I grew into my recovery, I was able to become less judgemental as I realized that the world has 6 billion people and every one of us is doing the same thing- we are each doing the best we can to BE HAPPY! The rub comes with how we each go about getting what we THINK is going to make us happy. But, what I'm learning is that when I realize that I'm not perfect either, it's a lot easier to accept the shortcomings of others. When I recognize my own need for forgiveness, it becomes easier to let YOU off the hook, too. Hang in there Bro. Keep growing, keep coming. You'll be surprised how much better it gets. Big Hugs!

Keep focus off other's recovery and on my own....

GREAT point dan. How easy it is to slip and get mis-focused. Even with honorable and the best of intentions.

Anthony, I agree with you. Some people DO need medication for sever medical problems including a list of mental disorders.
A lot of addicts have concurrent disorders and actually use drugs to self medicate another problem
For example bi-polar disorder, ADHD, major depression, and schitzophrenia. All of these are life altering if not treated.
An the other hand, there are some people that gladly jump on the medication band wagon to get help with sleep, panic, pain.
All of these things if not a sympotom of a larger problem are better handled without drugs. In the end if you can't sleep and start to take something for it, you are never going to learn how to sleep.
When I was in detox, I saw a lot of addicts asking for sleep meds and vallium to get through those first days.
At first I was jelous, then I started to see how I would have just traded one drug for another had I been given the oppurtunity.
These types of meds, unless absolutely necissary should be avoided at all costs.

thanks vin for sharing that. I hope i wasent being critical, if i was sorry . hell i just wish it was me lol .  one thing i have to notice today. ive seen it with my mom , my first wife , my second wife, my sister in law, ect ect ect. IF I walk into a drs office with a bone sticking out of my chest, you can be assured i will be given a pat on the back and a pair of plyers to go home and pull it out. I will also be okayed for work tommorrow.  On the other hand . if the women in my life walk into the same dr. and tell him they have teenage kids at home and they hate grocery shopping they walk out with a book of scripts and a garbage bag of free samples.

Thanks honey, I do recognize this as My problem, and ive been told many times to see a Dr. Most often by my wife. But frankly, I dont trust them. What do you call a guy that finished last in medical school ? Yep , Dr. . My wife is constantly on me to see a Dr. But no matter how bad i feel as soon as a doc walks in , Im fine. As far as the rest , i said i understood meds that keep us alive.