Over the past few years I have watched several good friends with long term sobriety relapse after becoming involved with prescribed medications. Some have returned to the program and others are still out there; one has since died. It is difficult to assess blame in these situations; in fact we try to avoid this kind of thinking in our program. However, this tragic scenario is being repeated time and time again as the influence of the drug companies and their incestuous relationship with the medical profession create an atmosphere where the best medical solution often seems to be to throw medication at our symptoms.
How many times have I been in a doctor’s office and had to wait while a pharmaceutical salesperson, loaded down with samples and other “perks” and gifts for the doctor, was ushered in ahead of a waiting room full of people? This preoccupation with medication makes many doctors unknowing drug dealers providing patients with a quick fix and easy solution that often treats symptoms while not dealing with the real problem. I recently read an article which reported a study in which it was determined that family doctors spend about four and a half minutes with their patients per visit. How often do these visits end with a patient leaving with a hand full of prescriptions?
For this reason many people who have no problem with drugs become unwittingly addicted to prescription medications. This is an especially severe problem among senior citizens to the extent than many of the most prestigious treatment centers now offer treatment for seniors addicted to medication.
This scenario is even more problematic for the recovering addict /alcoholic. Life continues to happen after we become clean and sober and with it pain, illness, operations, surgery and accidents. None of us are immune to the necessity of taking medication either for the treatment of depression or other psychological illnesses or the treatment of pain after and during surgery. How we deal with this necessity may be the difference between successful continued sobriety or a life threatening relapse.
I recently was kayaking on the Fisheating Creek, a wilderness experience replete with snakes, bears, florida panthers and a great deal of alligators. In fact in the dozen years I have lived here and had these types of experiences I have never seen so many active, large (ten feet and larger) alligators up so close; as close as four or five feet at times. In order for me to enjoy the kayaking experience and meet my goal of completing the trip I had to deal with the alligators. Alligators can be dangerous and have been known to kill people.
On my first trip to Florida I was snorkeling when I encountered a school of barracuda. I was so scared at their fearsome appearance I ran out of the water. I didn’t want to go back into the ocean after this experience. The way I dealt with it was by going to the library and getting books on barracuda. I learned how to co-exist in the water without fear. I did the same thing with alligators. I am probably one of the most knowledgeable New Englanders on the dangerous critters of South Florida but I also function in the wilderness with little fear and a healthy respect for its creatures.
In order to take responsibility for our recovery from alcohol and drugs and for our medical or psychiatric treatment it behooves us to become well educated patients and consumers. The more information that we can accumulate, the more questions we ask, the less intimidated we are by those in the medical profession, the more able we are to direct our own treatment. By becoming educated patients, clients and recovering people we will be in the best position to be responsible and safe in our use of medications. We will become less likely to be blind sided by an unmerited trust in well meaning medical professionals.
My own personal experiences both in the wilderness and in the hospital over the last year have led me to a lot of positive information. This information was gained through reading and research, talking with experts and getting second opinions. My outdoor adventures have been relaxing and exciting, enjoyable and rewarding. I have met and shared experiences with great outdoorsmen and environmentalists.
I have also been educated and treated by alternative therapy practitioners for the treatment and management of pain related to surgery and an accident. Chiropractic medicine, acupuncture, traditional chinese medicine, chinese herbal treatments, meditation and massage have all helped me in the management of pain.
Medication for recovering addicts and alcoholics can be dangerous but like the wild critters, with prudence, respect and information we can make safe and informed decisions regarding their use if we utilize all the re-sources available. Lets educate ourselves to the hazards in our recovery adventure.