Hello family. I wanted to come and talk about this. I am on some medication. I have had differant feedback on this subject. But I have to say that I am alittledisapointed because certain people want to play God. I have alot of health problems. I am also a recovering herion addict. Anyways. I am on an opiate pain reliever which I might add is helping me. I don't talk about it much at meetings because you get people trying to plau God and they tell you that you shouldn't be taking anything. But to me, they don't have this problem that I have.. I also believe in my heart that once you get clean. If you are serious about staying clean, then nothing can cause you to go back out. my opinion only. I am coming up on 4 years and I am taking my meds like I am suppose to. but you know how people are, we all have apinions like we have A-Holes, everyone has one.lol.. But John emailed me and the forums, so I thought I would come here and talk abit about whats is going on with me. Thank you for listening. Cody
Medications in recovery is a tough subject for most, popular NA dogma says "You should take nothing or risk relapse" For those not living with cronic pain or other medical condition it is easy to make that kind of judgement. When I run into this perdicament either myself or with others I always remember soemthing I was told by my first sponser. "An addict usally does not plan to relapse, rather they do not have a plan not to" As I have come to understand his comment, I didn't at first, is I don't sit and tell myself "I think I am going to get high tonight" and is more "If I want to get high tonight I will call my friend kevin" In this case I have a plan not to get high. I know this is a long way around what I want to say but I will come to a point shortly. My question becomes "If you would start to abuse your perscription, what is your plan?" Do you have somaone monitoring your script, someone that would notice if you where taking medication more offten then perscribed? DO YOU HAVE A PLAN? There is nothing wrong with taking needed madication, but it can become a slippery slope and someday you may need a hand. DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WILL DO, NOW before that time comes? Personally for me when I need to take perscription meds like vicoden or any narcotic I give them to my wife to hide and give to me only when needed I for one liked them too much to trust myself so my plan is "to have the dose controled by someone other then myself"
I posted this very question yesterday, and I see my post isn't here anymore.
I also have to take pain meds after surgery and due to a chronic pain syndrome that has left me unable to do my usual job (Psychiatric nursing.) I got a lot of flack from SOME people in the rooms about it, some accused me of relapse (I never abused these meds, not ONCE, I use less than is prescribed and I am proud of that.)
Steveb said "Do you have a plan..."
I agree with that 100%. NA has taught me that I AM an addict, NOT to take that first drug.... but also that my medical treatment is between me, God, and my doctor.
I did not get clean from active addiction to suffer with horrific pain. I don't like feeling sedated, so there is no appeal for me with these particular meds. If I DO start the "Stinking thinking," I will call my sponsor, hand over the meds, and run to the doctor and ask her for something that ISN'T what I am taking now.
NA taught me that I am an addict, and knowing that has taught me vigilance. I can treat my pain WITHOUT being loaded, I can do the job I am doing now with a clear head, and I can take my meds as PRESCRIBED - and actually get by on much less than is presribed.
Those in the program who want to play God may one day find themselves in your shoes - and if that day comes, they will be grateful that you are going to be there for them to share YOUR experience, strength, and hope about medications in recovery.
i think the pamphlet 'IN TIMES OF ILLNESS' addresses this very vexatious issue !!!
Reading that and talking with ones sponsor and letting HP do the work is what works best as I and many in NA have experienced !!!
I am on a prophylatic medication for heart !!! This is howver not an opiate of any other like that,, its aspirin based and is basically a blood thinner !!!
'WE DONT HAVE TO FEEL GUILTY ABOUT TAKING MEDICATION IN TIMES OF ILLNESS"
is one sentence form the Basic Text ,, and we are also cautioned
"our bodies dont know the differance between drugs prescribed for us by a doctor and the drugs we prescribe ourselves"
this simply mean that we may unwittingly,,, unknowingly release our addiction all over again !!
i had to surround myself with NA members and family and well wishers who know who I am and where I am going during a major surgery and illness recently..
I was guided to tel the doctor about my disease of addiction and they never gave me any of that !!!
However i had to have the surgery under general anesthesia and was helped by well meaning NAs and my family to recovery from agall stone,gall bladder ,parcrititis problem !!!
Maybe being specific with ones sponsor or here at this Forum can be stress relieveing aboiut whether we are doing the right thing for our recovery !!!
like it says in the prayer=
TAKE MY WILL AND MY LIFE
GUIDE ME IN MY RECOVERY
SHOW ME HOW TO LIVE
(to live and enjoy life without the use of drugs !!!!)
KEEP COMING BACK !!!
Cyber hugs from a far away addict in recovery
raman
clean and serene just for today in the NA WAY !!!
__________________
Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
I think whenever there is a question our basic text usually covers the answer somewhere. In the chapter More Will Be Revealed there is a section on taking medications in recovery that you may find helpful. I am blessed not to live with chronic pain or have any other illness at this time. I do feel for all of you recovering addicts who have this affliction. I agree to also surround yourself with your support group and share about this with members who have substantial clean time and living the program. -Cindy
I have a dear friend who is trying to kick heroin. He's on Methadone..is he clean. He's taking it as prescribed. I don't have the answer. My sponsor suggested asking World for their opinion on Methadone. Not the response I would have anticipated. Check it out for yourself. My friend is weening himself off Methadone weekly. This was his first week "clean". He chose his clean date as the first day he was off methadone. Prescribed medication is a touch subject in NA..at here in AZ..My only experience with NA. I'm on anti-depressants, and have worked with my doctor to reduce and hopefully someday be off of them. Talk with your sponsor, talk with other addicts. I admit I feel self-conscious disclosing this information in a meeting. Fear of being judged..Thanks for listening..
