Last week I went to my first 12-step meeting for the “dually-blessed” – those of us who have alcoholism AND another mental illness (Yes, Virginia, alcoholism REALLY IS A MENTAL ILLNESS. The American Medical Association said so in 1957.)

It was the first time in a long time that I felt free to talk about ALL my mental illnesses – alcoholism and bipolar II (hypomania) without someone shooting me an evil look. If you think the stigma of mental illness is strong “out there” you should see it in the recovery community.

Every time I write about this I hear from dual-diagnosed recovered alcoholics who live in an enlightened community – such as Boston – who insist this discrimination does not exist. But let me tell you, it is real. The gist is this: you are not truly clean and sober if you take any “mind altering” medications – such as anti-depressants, mood stabilizers or anti-psychotics.

The problem is that as many as half of alcoholics – such as ME – are dual-diagnosed. Even though the 12-steps are a “We” program, we work our recovery alone – afraid to discuss the biggest threat to our sobriety – our other mental illness. We stay mum about our “other” mental illnesses because we have heard horror stories of sponsors telling their sponsees to stop taking their medications. We hear other alcoholics proclaim that they have managed to stay sober with relying on the anti-depressants or mood-stabilizers (although many of those folks REALLY NEED THEM).

So, I was delighted to find a pamphlet – “approved literature” – that explained the “approved” position on medications and recovery. I would like to share some excerpts.

Recovered alcoholics “and many of their physicians have described situations in which depressed patients have been told by (other recovered alcoholics) to throw away the pills, only to have depression return with all its difficulties, sometimes resulting in suicide.”

“Unfortunately, by following a layman’s advice, the sufferers find that their conditions can return with all their previous intensity. On top of that, they feel guilty…”

“It becomes clear that just as it is wrong to enable or support any alcoholic to become re-addicted to any drug, it’s equally wrong to deprive any alcoholic of medication which can alleviate or control other disabling physical and/or emotional problems.”

Amen.

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Alcoholism & Depression: Dually Blessed | Depression on My Mind | Atworkcom.com Blog (September 14, 2010)

Alcoholism & Depression: Dually Blessed | Depression on My Mind (September 15, 2010)

    Last reviewed: 14 Sep 2010