Posted by Simcha on August 22, 2001, at 9:50:27
In reply to Re: JUST FOR TODAY, posted by akc on August 22, 2001, at 9:05:03
AKC,
>While some patients may have addiction problems, remember an important principle of AA -- it is a program of attraction, not promotion.
You read my mind!!! I could not have said it better myself.
We addicts who have depression have a double whammy. Sometimes our 12-step groups are less than supportive around my depression issues. I need to remember that my 12-step programs are for treating my addiction. My depression is best treated by my therapist and my psychiatrist. Sometimes it is necessary for me to keep the two illnesses seperate. I have to be careful when relying on help from 12-steppers around my depression. I make sure that my support is positive and reassuring about the choices I need to make regarding my treatment. For me it is a matter of using the proper tool for the proper job. And you can't get water from a dry well...
> My mom is seriously ill. She almost died Monday because her lungs could not bring in enough oxygen. She was terrified. She has panics from time to time -- one of those times is when she goes to shower -- I think it is because it is hard for her to breath. I am glad, very so, that the doctor has not hesitated to give my mom xanex -- to hell with the fact that it is highly addictive. My mom is not going to be around much longer. I want her to be as comfortable as she can be. Her father died a very painful death (bone cancer in his spine) -- noone should have to endure that. You may be right that some elderly are overprescribed medicines. But many, many are not.
>
> We have to be careful of labeling. Throwing out blanket statements without explanation or thought can be highly offensive. Twice in this thread this has happened. One such statement was towards posters on psycho-babble, then a statement towards the elderly. The majority of patients, be those on psychiatric meds or be the elderly, are being treated by caring, conscientious doctors who are not oversubscribing medications. While some patients may have addiction problems, remember an important principle of AA -- it is a program of attraction, not promotion.
>
> AKC
poster:Simcha
thread:75755
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010822/msgs/75925.html