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Recovering Together


Taking Medications





 		Some people in recovery need to take prescribed medicines to in order to treat serious medical problems. Please use the following suggestions:
  • Remember that a recovering Alcoholic/Addict your automatic response will be to turn to chemical relief for uncomfortable feelings and to take more than the usual, prescribed amount. Look for nonchemical solutions for the aches and discomforts of everyday living.
  • Remember the best safeguard against drug-related relapse is an active participation in the A.A./n.A. program of recovery.
  • No A.A./N.A. Member Plays Doctor.
  • Be completely honest with yourself and your physician regarding use of medication.
  • If in doubt, consult a physician with a demonstrated experience in the treatment of alcoholism/addiction.
  • Be frank about your alcoholism/addiction with any physician or dentist you consult. Such confidence will be respected and is most helpful to the doctor.
  • Inform the physician at once if you experience side effects from prescribed drugs.
  • Consider consulting another doctor if a personal physician refuses of fails to recognize the peculiar susceptibility of alcoholics/addicts to sedatives, tranquilizers and stimulants.
  • Use non-alcohol mouthwash.
  • Read labels of over the counter medicines. Nyquil and Robitussin along with other cough syrups contain alcohol.



In the same token there are people who suffer from depression that can be suicidal; schizophrenia that sometimes requires hospitalization; manic depression (bipolar); and other mental and biological illnesses. Also among us are epileptics, members with heart trouble, cancer, allergies, hypertension and many other serious illnesses.

Some members in recovery have taken a position that no one in A.A./N.A. should take medication. While this position has undoubtedly prevented relapse for some, it has meant disaster for others.

A.A./N.A. members and their physicians have described situations in which depressed patients were told by A.A./N.A. to throw away their pills, only to have depression return with all its difficulties, sometimes resulting in suicide. Also schizophrenics, manic depressives, epileptics, and others requiring medication that well-meaning A.A./N.A. friends often discouraged them from taking prescribed medicine. By following the layman's advice, the suffers find that their conditions return with all their previous intensity. On top of that, they feel guilty because they are convinced that "A.A./N.A. is against pills."

It becomes clear that just as it is wrong to enable or support any alcoholic/addict to become readdicted to any drug, it's equally wrong to deprive any alcoholic/addict of medication which can alleviate or control other disabling physical and/or emotional problems.


It amazed me to learn that my fears about my depression and the fear that I was not dealing with life in an appropriate manner were erased once I learned my depression was caused by a chemical imbalance that could be controlled by medication.



Thank you for visiting my page. I hope you were able to find information that helped you. Please feel free to contact me if there is something specific you are looking for and I will try and add it to my site. In the meantime take care HP bless and have a safe 24.

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