I don't know of any Sarah... I think the message is the same for any meds... As prescribed and remembering that our brains don't know the difference between meds for illness and meds for "fun". We have to be vigilant in following our doctor's directions and keeping in touch with professionals with respect to side effects, desire to abuse, etc. The other thing to remember is that none of us, in the rooms, function as professionals and are not qualified to advise each other on medications or their usages.

Have a good meeting!

thank you

Lee U-I'm an "old timer" and tend to be a purist about only using the original writings of NA & AA, but I don't think within the "suggestions" of the fellowships there is any prohibition against referencing other literature. I think it is fraught with peril tho!

As for psych issues and psych meds, I would utilize professional help in this area the same as I would go to a cardiologist, dentist, clergy person, or any other practitioner. And I would do my homework regarding the credentials, track record, level of expertise etc.

Many an addict/alcoholic has perished or gotten very, very sick, by following the "advice" of folks in the program who push the notion that properly prescribed and monitored therapies and medications for mental disorders such as depression, bipolar, schizophrenia etc. should be avoided or discontinued as "just" another mood-altering drug. That's playing God, not just playing doctor!

Thank God that today, with some research, I can usually locate helping professionals who are also knowledgible about addiction and recovery, who will do the best for me within those multiple conditions. The key, of course, is being honest with the providers that I am a recoverying addict/alcoholics This can make a big difference, especially if anesthesia is involved, and of course pain management.

I can also say that as long as I have a practitioner who understands addictive disease, I have never had to suffer intolerable pain because of the knee-jerk notion that I should "never" have any pain medication under any circumstance. For me, it is a matter of which medication, for how long, under what monitoring, with what support in place, and so on. (I'm talking about serious pain, like recovery from surgery, not a moderate tooth ache.)

I have found that knowledgible docs/dentists have been able to manage my pain by what meds they select, in conjunction with a known "relapse prevention" plan that might even include hospital-based detox from opiates given for back surgery.

For me, in dealing with my "whole person", the mental and physical conditions (I have several, chronic and recurring) that I have, if left untreated, or inadequately or poorly treatted, WILL first of all lead me back to using, and secondly, WILL probably kill me. So I speak up at meetingns where I hear some fool tell someone else to go off their meds or otherwise take their inventory in a misinformed, potentially dangerous manner.

So, as a meeting topic, while I personally would avoid "outside" literature, I wouln't hesitate to say that our steps and traditions in no way suggest that we shouldn't use common sense, expert professionals, and the medicine that is right for us, in support of our health and recovery.

-- Edited by LeeU at 13:35, 2009-03-01