I agree totally, you will find a lot on Non-expert experts in recovery. Please listen to the real experts.

It frightens me to think of how many well meaning people in the halls of AA may have made a person feel weak or guilty for needing prescribed medications to help combat illnesses like depression and bipolar disorder.  In conjunction with counseling some prescribed medications can be lifesavers, even for those in recovery from abuse of alcohol or other substances.

It's also important to remember that these doctors aren't perfect, they don't know what we are feeling, they are medicating outward symptoms.

A lot of people have found to their eternal regret that their real problems began when they drank on these prescriptions.

Let's remember that we are responsible for our own recovery, & the doctors don't take enough time to make sure that they actually are helping us. If the meds are having a bad effect, or don't seem indicated, it's our job not to take something that harms us.

The doctors at de-tox wanted to prescribe lithium to me. I'm not going to take something like that, & they can't make me.
There's a group created especially for this concern....
People with other problems

There have also been some that have died due to their sponsor telling them that they are not sober if they take meds.  This is what I refer people to.

\" But this does not mean that we disregard human health measures.  God has abundantly supplied this world with fine doctors, psychologists, and practitioners of various kinds.  Do not hesitate to take your health problems to such persons....Try to remember that though God has wrought miracles among us, we should never belittle a good doctor or psychiatrist.\"

Alcoholics Anonymous pg. #133

This is such a huge issue in recovery and must work with your doctor and other professionals in this area. Never good idea to quit taking any antidepressant abruptly. Very important to be fully honest with any health care provider about your recovery. With any medication that a recovering person takes must be very careful - be aware why taking and proper dose so that use does not lead to abuse.

Recovering R PH - RXer

I agree on only listening to the doctor who perscribes your meds.

My son takes a little medication, and I will only listen to the doctor who's name is on the bottle! Nobody else!!!

I would like to tell newcomers that we all have problems physically and mentally and spiritually nobody is perfect and nobody should ever give you grief about your recovery. Sponsors are there to guide you through your steps and help in making some choices they are not the end all and be all of your life. I take many meds for diabetes high b/p cholesterol pain from arthritis and a torn rotator cuff. I also take meds for depression. I had a serious bout with depression that i was very close to taking my own life just so my family could live a better exsistance( I have a good life insurance policy lol). My family and friends stepped in got me to a doctor and he put me on some meds that have given me the power to take control of my life again no miricles just areal sense of calm. I am not comatse or hyper just relaxed. The little things dont stress me out so much anymore. Thats what i needed it has worked for "ME" not everyone reacts the same so talk to a  professional  first.Depression can kill you just as quick as diabetes or alchoholism it is something that needs to be taken care of.For those who say people on meds cant recover kiss my 21 yrs. Recovery is not about suffering its about living and if you need the meds then take them living your program and taking care of yourself are all intermixed you cant recover if your dead. Take care of yourself live in your recovery and be happy recovery is not a job its a way of life so step up and live.

Hi, my name is paula and I have been sober for 17 years. and yes I take meds, due to my illness,s. I didnt start off with meds to get sober. but I take them to stay alive. and my family and myself thank god everyday for paxil. and the care my doctors have given me.

 you have to findout why the person is on the meds, you cant till them thay wont make it for long. just because thay are on meds.

The subject of depression meds came up before a meeting a few weeks ago and I was amazed by how many people were taking them. There were 5 of us women and every one of us was on some form of meds for depression or bi-polar. I have been on Zoloft, Cymbalta, and Paxil. I'm currently on Paxil but I do not like it. There seem to be too many side effects (sexual side effects to be more precise) and it doesn't seem to help my anxiety. I really like Cymbalta -- it helped with my nightmares, sleep problems, and anxiety. I have heard a lot of recovering addicts talk about Lexapro. Does anyone has any suggestions or advice about what meds have helped them the most with the least amount of side effects?

My guideline for whether I use meds or not is simple.  I have worked the AA program to the best of my ability and I have still been suicidal many times in the past.  So I take meds, and someday when I have at least 2-3 years of sobriety, and less severe ups and downs, I hope that I can get off of them.  If I can get off of them and experience normal ups and downs without being suicidal, I will stay off of them.

Susie, I relate to what you wrote about side effects.  Everything I took for bipolar made me very tired, until I was prescribed Lamictal, and I have no side effects with it.  I still had problems so the doc added Seroquel, which made me tired at first, but now it is not so bad.

However, I have heard that Seroquel has been linked to diabetes.  Does anyone know anything about that?

thanks,Dave

I work as an RN in a psych facility and have for 19yrs.  The number one reason people return to in-patient is they stop their meds.  "I feel great.  Obviously I don't need antidepressants."  They toss their meds and crash.  If you are planning to stop your meds to see if you need them or not, do it in conjunction with your psychiatrist.  Not only is cold turkeying your meds not a good psychological idea, but you may seize if you stop too abruptly.

I believe in benefit vs risk.  The benefit is that I dont wanna kill myself or anybody else, the risk, is that I may experience side effects.  Side effects for my antidepressant is somnolence (sleepy) and weight gain.  I'm thin and work at night........bring it on.

To those in recovery who say that being on meds is not recovery, fuck em, it's none of their business.

This is a very good reading.  I have taken it all it seems.  They changed me everytime I saw the doctor but now I am leveling out with very little meds, the counselor was my answer.  The group here is my stability, I hope.  I do take Prozac in the morning to help me want to face the world.  I was supplementing with Abilify in the afternoon but it was way too expensive, $500.00 without insurance and $250.00 if you had minimal insurance, the least you can get it for is $70.00 at least that is what I found.  It was a great help though and I hope they will come up with a generic for it soon so that I can restart it -- I looked forward to living, laughing and having social interaction when I was on it.  That is where I get STUCK.  Thanks for all this info from the forum on meds.  It is a great help for me to read your ideas and thoughts on this! 

Newcomer/Alice