Other recovered alcoholics take little jabs at us.
“I never chewed my beer.”
“I have managed to stay sober without the big bottle or little bottle.”
“…and I have not taken any mood altering substances in my xx years of sobriety.”
My response: “Well, good for you.” But in my head I am thinking, “Maybe you should have.”
There persists – despite decades of peer-reviewed research, anecdotal proof and the admission of LSD use by AA founder Bill Wilson – ignorance in the recovery community about the use of antidepressants and mood stabilizers. They backhand us with their belief that we are not clean and sober because we take psychotropic medications for other mental illnesses.
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Rose
11:37 am on
August 24th, 2010WOW! I was unaware that this was happening. I knew there was some discussion about it from a different tack in the Buddhist community. But I wasn’t aware that AA people had a similar problem.
There’s always got to be the a**holes who need to feel better than in order to feel whole. 
What an incredibly powerful post, Christine.
I don’t take antidepressants or any “mind altering medication” but I do enjoy a few glasses of wine. As I said to my son recently, if alcohol was invented today it would be illegal.
The sheer audacity of the redneck/bogan brain is a a thing of beauty to behold sometimes.
I admire your commitment to your sobriety and your ability to write in such a magnificent and succinct manner.
“Angst, shame and confusion…” For me, that’s the puzzling thing about orthodox steppers and medication. Instead of showing legitimate concern that medicated folks are missing out on the full joys of sobriety, the true believers go the route of ridicule. Love and tolerance of others, eh?
Neemer
9:17 pm on
August 24th, 2010You make some good points in your post — those who rally against the use of psychotropic medications in all cases do a lot of damage. BUT, I do object to your statement that many such individuals possess “no more than a high school diploma”. We should all be more careful not to equate education with intelligence or rationality. There are many with advanced degrees who still object to the use of medication, and vice versa. By subtly hinting that level of education is to blame for such thinking, sad stereotypes are reinforced.
baseball55
9:37 pm on
August 24th, 2010I have been in AA for 5 years and have never had anyone criticize me for using psych meds or refer to my severe depression and multiple hospitalizations as “untreated alcoholism” that requires more step work. Maybe there are people who think that way, but here in Boston, people seem pretty enlightened about dual diagnosis
angiebombs
1:48 am on
August 25th, 2010Thank you so much for this post. I have been sober over 6 years and I also have bipolar disorder. When I was new in AA, I was told several times that either I wasn’t sober if I was taking psych meds, or that someday I wouldn’t need them anymore if I worked the steps well enough. Heating this prompted me to stop my meds cold turkey at 30 days sober, which ultimately led to a relapse of both the bipolar and my drinking. I can’t help but wonder how many others have had similar (or worse) experiences.
Now that I know the program better, I know that even Bill W. talks about the importance of seeking outside help from “doctors and psychiatrists” when necessary (this is in the Family Afrerward in the Big Book). I am so glad that I got back on my meds when I did, and I truly thank you for sharing this message to other dialog diagnosed folks!
angiebombs
2:07 am on
August 25th, 2010That was supposed to say “dually diagnosed.” 
Bobbi
11:20 am on
August 25th, 2010Clean and sober for 16 years ( only partially with AA help) Being put on antidepressant medication made me go out and drink again- I am one who responds badly to the medication( ‘black box’ warning on all anti-depressant medication) meanwhile I was fighting chronic pain- hooked onto narcotics. in three weeks it will be two years of my sobriety- detoxed in a hospital from drugs and alcohol; Yet, my pain has persisted and I have taken the narcotics on+ off for the entire time- I didn’t lose my sobriety- I used a medication to treat an illness!
I have heard ( mostly the old-timers) negative comments about medication- “take what you need and leave the rest”. I am grateful to have a dual diagnosis group that meets twice a month near to me- I have GREAT friendships with two of the women there; We openly discuss our medication and our urges. I have learned which meetings to go to where dual diagnosis is not put down.
I am an addict and an alcoholic- I can live without the alcohol- I can’t live without the potentially addictive drugs- both mental health wise and for my body. I keep connected and tell ALL my doctors ALL the medication any one has given me- keeps me honest!
Bobbi:
You are so right. They key is to find supports who understand and to “tell ALL my doctors ALL the medication any one has given me – keeps me honest.”
Bravo.
Sean
7:35 am on
August 26th, 2010I agree with you 100 %.And loved you line “Maybe you should have “.I fully understand.
Stigma and prejudice should not exist in the sanctuary of 12 step meetings, but it does. I have used opiate replacement therapy as part of my recovery to treat legitimate pain only to be told I am not entitled to celebrate my recovery. The definition of recovery is the regaining of or possibility of regaining something lost or taken away. It should not matter how we do it as long as you are working the steps,living an addiction free life, and treating your illness.
Science is changing the face of addiction treatment and recovery for the better. Old school ideas need to change as recovery has changed. It is only through education we will learn and understand what science has given to this community.
tiffie
9:25 am on
August 26th, 2010I had similar problems in the anonymous community,only because my problem involved pills and I was also on psych meds, some people saw it as a complete relapse. I was fortunate to find a small group of DD people who supported me.
I’d probably still be going to that meeting if my confidentiality hadn’t been broken.
This is a topic that resonates with many people. I was certainly impressed by this article. thanks so much for sharing and bringing awareness. I look forward to reading more. Allow me to share an upcoming event: CELEBRATE RECOVERY on Sep. 30, 2010 8PM CST – Free Teleseminar. Special Guest Experts will confront the most interesting and challenging questions about childhood obesity, adult obesity, addictions (alcohol, substance abuse) and eating disorders. You are invited to join. RSVP at the link here. http://www.sustainablecontentment.com/home/nationwide-teleseminar
David
5:49 pm on
August 26th, 2010Thank you for your article Christine. Last November, I celebrated 18 years of recovery in NA & AA. I am bipolar (I), have complex PTSD and take lamotrigine. It’s the best choice for me after enduring 4 exceedingly uncomfortable years of unsuccessful trials with mood stabilizers, in combination with “typical” and atypical anti-psychotics.
I’ve also been exposed to some of the comments you have. I’ve also experienced (as I’m sure you have) all the indirect ways in which people couch these same ideas, e.g.: “Well, I didn’t find it necessary to take pills to …” or “Working the steps is all the help I need to take care of depression.” I’ve also heard people, ignorantly, equate a layperson’s use of the words “depressed” or “anxious” to clinical states of being, not knowing the difference. I’ve also heard people told they just need to “rely more on your higher power” and that “God won’t give you more than you can handle,” the obvious conclusion being if you can’t handle it, you must not be working “the program” correctly.
I’ve also met incredibly supportive and caring people in recovery who have gone well out of their way to make me feel accepted and valued. These same people have “extended their helping hand” when I’ve needed it. I’m fortunate, even on the small island I live on, to have two or three groups where this sort of atmosphere is possible. In these groups, there are no “fundamentalists” and no one pushing the ridiculous concept that “everything I need to know is in the first 164 pages of the Big Book.” No matter how much education a person has, this type of thinking epitomizes ignorance.
I recently read about a study that showed that depressed people who are taking antidepressants and drinking alcohol on regular basis are in danger of becoming more severely depressed. Many people are not aware of this danger because antidepressants are often sold without clear warning of their harmful interaction with alcohol. For this reason it would be important to treat possible alcohol problem before starting to take antidepressants. To read more about this topic see this article: http://www.brain-depression.com/science-of-depression/49-depression-and-alcohol.html
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