"The AA member - Medications & other Drugs"

[Blue Moon]

Having been frequently ridiculed by at least one other contributor to
this forum for allegedly not getting educated, I have frequently given
assurances that if I came across the often-referred-to leaflet "The AA
member - Medications & other Drugs" then I would pick it up and read
it.

I found the leaflet at a meeting this evening, and can only conclude
that it is *fully* compatible with everything I've been saying on the
subject in this forum.

Rather than enduring any more of the smoke-and-mirror tactics, it
seems appropriate to reproduce (except for the anecdotal lay-person
stories). Others can then also take an informed view on the subject
of this leaflet ... information that has, until now, been denied to
many of us.

"
Alcoholics Anonymous is a program for alcoholics who seek freedom from
alcohol. It is not a program against drugs. However, *some* AA
members have *misused drugs*, often as a substitute for alcohol, in
such a manner as to become a threat to the achievement and maintenance
of sobriety. These incidents have caused *all* AA members to be
concerned with what is popularly known as the "pill problem".

A report from a group of physicians in AA

Because this subject is one which goes deeply into the field of
medicine, a group of physicians who are members of AA was asked to
help prepare this pamphlet.

The experience of some AA members reveals that drug misuse can
threaten the achievement and maintenance of sobriety.

Yet some AA members must take prescribed medication in order to treat
certain serious medical problems.

Experience has shown that this problem can be minimized if the
following suggestions are carefully heeded:

1. Remember that as a recovering alcoholic 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.

2. Remember that the best safeguard against drug-related relapse is
an active participation in the AA program of recovery.

3. No AA Member Plays Doctor.

4. Be completely honest with yourself and your physician regarding
use of medication.

5. If in doubt, consult a physician with demonstrated experience in
the treatment of alcoholism.

6. Be frank about your alcoholism with any physician or dentist you
consult. Such confidence will be respected and is most helpful to the
doctor.

7. Inform the physician at once if you experience side effects from
prescribed drugs.

8. Consider consulting another doctor if a personal physician refuses
or fails to recognize the peculiar susceptibility of alcoholics to
sedatives, tranquilizers, and stimulants.

9. Give your doctor copies of this pamphlet.

In this pamphlet you will read some suggestions outlined by
physicians, as well as the shared experience of a few AA members.

From the earliest days of Alcoholics Anonymous it has been clear that
many alcoholics tended to become physically and/or psychologically
dependent on drugs other than alcohol. There has been tragic incident
after tragic incident of individuals who have struggled to achieve
sobriety only to develop just as serious a problem with a different
drug. Time and time again, AA members have described frightening and
sobriety-threatening episodes.

Their experience suggests that even though barbiturates and
tranquilizers (such as Librium, Valium, meprobamates, etc.) may be
safe for most nonalcoholics when taken according to a doctor's
instructions, they can be harmful to the alcoholic. It is often true
that these substances create a dependence as devastating as dependence
on alcohol.

Even many AA's who have taken over-the-counter nonprescription drugs,
thinking them harmless, have discovered the alcoholic's tendency to
become addicted again. And those AA's who have used street drugs,
ranging from marijuana to heroin, have discovered the alcoholic's
tendency to misuse. The list goes on and will lengthen as new drugs
are developed.

The reasons for this tendency to become readdicted are varied. In
some cases the drug acts in the same way in the body as does alcohol.
This is the case with barbiturates, Valium, Librium, and other
medications that act like sedatives. An alcoholic's physical system
has already adjusted to the use of sedatives, and when they are used
without caution destructive dependence can develop. The use of
medications and drugs to relieve stress becomes an almost automatic
response for many alcoholics.

<Some AA members share their experience with drugs>....

However, some alcoholics require medication...

At the same time that we recognize this dangerous tendency to
readdiction, we also recognize that alcoholics are *not immune* to
other diseases. Some of us have had to cope with depressions that can
be suicidal; schizophrenia that sometimes requires hospitalization;
manic depression; and other mental and biological illnesses. Also
among us are epileptics, members with heart trouble, cancer,
allergies, hypertension, and many other serious physical conditions.

Because of the difficulties that many alcoholics have with drugs, some
members have taken the position that no one in AA should take any
medication. While this position has undoubtedly prevented relapses
for some, it has meant disaster for others.

AA members and many of their physicians have described situations in
which depressed patients have been told by AAs to throw away the
pills, only to have depression return with all its difficulties,
sometimes resulting in suicide. We have heard, too, from
schizophrenics, manic depressives, epileptics, and others requiring
medication that well-meaning AA friends often discourage them from
taking prescribed medication. Unfortunately, by following a layman's
advice, the sufferers find that their conditions can return with all
their previous intensity. On top of that, they feel guilty because
they are convinced that "AA is against pills".

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

<Some AA members who have required medication share with us> ....

Summary

Experience has shown that this problem can be minimized if the
following suggestions are carefully heeded:

1. Remember that as a recovering alcoholic 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.

2. Remember that the best safeguard against drug-related relapse is
an active participation in the AA program of recovery.

3. No AA Member Plays Doctor

4. Be completely honest with yourself and your physician regarding
use of medication.

5. If in doubt, consult a physician with demonstrated experience in
the treatment of alcoholism.

6. Be frank about your alcoholism with any physician or dentist you
consult. Such confidence will be respected and is most helpful to the
doctor.

7. Inform the physician at once if you experience side effects from
prescribed drugs.

8. Consider consulting another doctor if the personal physician
refuses or fails to recognize the peculiar susceptibility of
alcoholics to sedatives, tranquilizers, and stimulants.

9. Give your doctor copies of this pamphlet.
"

--
Blue Moon

[Bobby L.]

Good Call, Blue!

Bobby L


"Blue Moon" <mfoco@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c6128e0ff71be49a57b7bfb10fbd370a@free.teranew s.com...
> Having been frequently ridiculed by at least one other contributor to
> this forum for allegedly not getting educated, I have frequently given
> assurances that if I came across the often-referred-to leaflet "The AA
> member - Medications & other Drugs" then I would pick it up and read
> it.
>
> I found the leaflet at a meeting this evening, and can only conclude
> that it is *fully* compatible with everything I've been saying on the
> subject in this forum.
>
> Rather than enduring any more of the smoke-and-mirror tactics, it
> seems appropriate to reproduce (except for the anecdotal lay-person
> stories). Others can then also take an informed view on the subject
> of this leaflet ... information that has, until now, been denied to
> many of us.
>
> "
> Alcoholics Anonymous is a program for alcoholics who seek freedom from
> alcohol. It is not a program against drugs. However, *some* AA
> members have *misused drugs*, often as a substitute for alcohol, in
> such a manner as to become a threat to the achievement and maintenance
> of sobriety. These incidents have caused *all* AA members to be
> concerned with what is popularly known as the "pill problem".
>
> A report from a group of physicians in AA
>
> Because this subject is one which goes deeply into the field of
> medicine, a group of physicians who are members of AA was asked to
> help prepare this pamphlet.
>
> The experience of some AA members reveals that drug misuse can
> threaten the achievement and maintenance of sobriety.
>
> Yet some AA members must take prescribed medication in order to treat
> certain serious medical problems.
>
> Experience has shown that this problem can be minimized if the
> following suggestions are carefully heeded:
>
> 1. Remember that as a recovering alcoholic 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.
>
> 2. Remember that the best safeguard against drug-related relapse is
> an active participation in the AA program of recovery.
>
> 3. No AA Member Plays Doctor.
>
> 4. Be completely honest with yourself and your physician regarding
> use of medication.
>
> 5. If in doubt, consult a physician with demonstrated experience in
> the treatment of alcoholism.
>
> 6. Be frank about your alcoholism with any physician or dentist you
> consult. Such confidence will be respected and is most helpful to the
> doctor.
>
> 7. Inform the physician at once if you experience side effects from
> prescribed drugs.
>
> 8. Consider consulting another doctor if a personal physician refuses
> or fails to recognize the peculiar susceptibility of alcoholics to
> sedatives, tranquilizers, and stimulants.
>
> 9. Give your doctor copies of this pamphlet.
>
> In this pamphlet you will read some suggestions outlined by
> physicians, as well as the shared experience of a few AA members.
>
> From the earliest days of Alcoholics Anonymous it has been clear that
> many alcoholics tended to become physically and/or psychologically
> dependent on drugs other than alcohol. There has been tragic incident
> after tragic incident of individuals who have struggled to achieve
> sobriety only to develop just as serious a problem with a different
> drug. Time and time again, AA members have described frightening and
> sobriety-threatening episodes.
>
> Their experience suggests that even though barbiturates and
> tranquilizers (such as Librium, Valium, meprobamates, etc.) may be
> safe for most nonalcoholics when taken according to a doctor's
> instructions, they can be harmful to the alcoholic. It is often true
> that these substances create a dependence as devastating as dependence
> on alcohol.
>
> Even many AA's who have taken over-the-counter nonprescription drugs,
> thinking them harmless, have discovered the alcoholic's tendency to
> become addicted again. And those AA's who have used street drugs,
> ranging from marijuana to heroin, have discovered the alcoholic's
> tendency to misuse. The list goes on and will lengthen as new drugs
> are developed.
>
> The reasons for this tendency to become readdicted are varied. In
> some cases the drug acts in the same way in the body as does alcohol.
> This is the case with barbiturates, Valium, Librium, and other
> medications that act like sedatives. An alcoholic's physical system
> has already adjusted to the use of sedatives, and when they are used
> without caution destructive dependence can develop. The use of
> medications and drugs to relieve stress becomes an almost automatic
> response for many alcoholics.
>
> <Some AA members share their experience with drugs>....
>
> However, some alcoholics require medication...
>
> At the same time that we recognize this dangerous tendency to
> readdiction, we also recognize that alcoholics are *not immune* to
> other diseases. Some of us have had to cope with depressions that can
> be suicidal; schizophrenia that sometimes requires hospitalization;
> manic depression; and other mental and biological illnesses. Also
> among us are epileptics, members with heart trouble, cancer,
> allergies, hypertension, and many other serious physical conditions.
>
> Because of the difficulties that many alcoholics have with drugs, some
> members have taken the position that no one in AA should take any
> medication. While this position has undoubtedly prevented relapses
> for some, it has meant disaster for others.
>
> AA members and many of their physicians have described situations in
> which depressed patients have been told by AAs to throw away the
> pills, only to have depression return with all its difficulties,
> sometimes resulting in suicide. We have heard, too, from
> schizophrenics, manic depressives, epileptics, and others requiring
> medication that well-meaning AA friends often discourage them from
> taking prescribed medication. Unfortunately, by following a layman's
> advice, the sufferers find that their conditions can return with all
> their previous intensity. On top of that, they feel guilty because
> they are convinced that "AA is against pills".
>
> It becomes clear that just as it is wrong to enable or support any
> alcoholic to become readdicted to any drug, it's equally wrong to
> deprive any alcoholic of medication which can alleviate or control
> other disabling physical and/or emotional problems.
>
> <Some AA members who have required medication share with us> ....
>
> Summary
>
> Experience has shown that this problem can be minimized if the
> following suggestions are carefully heeded:
>
> 1. Remember that as a recovering alcoholic 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.
>
> 2. Remember that the best safeguard against drug-related relapse is
> an active participation in the AA program of recovery.
>
> 3. No AA Member Plays Doctor
>
> 4. Be completely honest with yourself and your physician regarding
> use of medication.
>
> 5. If in doubt, consult a physician with demonstrated experience in
> the treatment of alcoholism.
>
> 6. Be frank about your alcoholism with any physician or dentist you
> consult. Such confidence will be respected and is most helpful to the
> doctor.
>
> 7. Inform the physician at once if you experience side effects from
> prescribed drugs.
>
> 8. Consider consulting another doctor if the personal physician
> refuses or fails to recognize the peculiar susceptibility of
> alcoholics to sedatives, tranquilizers, and stimulants.
>
> 9. Give your doctor copies of this pamphlet.
> "
>
> --
> Blue Moon

[rosie readandpost]

thank you for finding and reading the pamphlet.


--
read and post daily, it works!
rosie

bitterness imprisons life; love releases it.
...................... harry emerson fosdick



"Blue Moon" <mfoco@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:c6128e0ff71be49a57b7bfb10fbd370a@free.teranew s.com...
> Having been frequently ridiculed by at least one other contributor to
> this forum for allegedly not getting educated, I have frequently given
> assurances that if I came across the often-referred-to leaflet "The AA
> member - Medications & other Drugs" then I would pick it up and read
> it.
>
> I found the leaflet at a meeting this evening, and can only conclude
> that it is *fully* compatible with everything I've been saying on the
> subject in this forum.
>
> Rather than enduring any more of the smoke-and-mirror tactics, it
> seems appropriate to reproduce (except for the anecdotal lay-person
> stories). Others can then also take an informed view on the subject
> of this leaflet ... information that has, until now, been denied to
> many of us.
>
> "
> Alcoholics Anonymous is a program for alcoholics who seek freedom from
> alcohol. It is not a program against drugs. However, *some* AA
> members have *misused drugs*, often as a substitute for alcohol, in
> such a manner as to become a threat to the achievement and maintenance
> of sobriety. These incidents have caused *all* AA members to be
> concerned with what is popularly known as the "pill problem".
>
> A report from a group of physicians in AA
>
> Because this subject is one which goes deeply into the field of
> medicine, a group of physicians who are members of AA was asked to
> help prepare this pamphlet.
>
> The experience of some AA members reveals that drug misuse can
> threaten the achievement and maintenance of sobriety.
>
> Yet some AA members must take prescribed medication in order to treat
> certain serious medical problems.
>
> Experience has shown that this problem can be minimized if the
> following suggestions are carefully heeded:
>
> 1. Remember that as a recovering alcoholic 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.
>
> 2. Remember that the best safeguard against drug-related relapse is
> an active participation in the AA program of recovery.
>
> 3. No AA Member Plays Doctor.
>
> 4. Be completely honest with yourself and your physician regarding
> use of medication.
>
> 5. If in doubt, consult a physician with demonstrated experience in
> the treatment of alcoholism.
>
> 6. Be frank about your alcoholism with any physician or dentist you
> consult. Such confidence will be respected and is most helpful to the
> doctor.
>
> 7. Inform the physician at once if you experience side effects from
> prescribed drugs.
>
> 8. Consider consulting another doctor if a personal physician refuses
> or fails to recognize the peculiar susceptibility of alcoholics to
> sedatives, tranquilizers, and stimulants.
>
> 9. Give your doctor copies of this pamphlet.
>
> In this pamphlet you will read some suggestions outlined by
> physicians, as well as the shared experience of a few AA members.
>
> From the earliest days of Alcoholics Anonymous it has been clear that
> many alcoholics tended to become physically and/or psychologically
> dependent on drugs other than alcohol. There has been tragic incident
> after tragic incident of individuals who have struggled to achieve
> sobriety only to develop just as serious a problem with a different
> drug. Time and time again, AA members have described frightening and
> sobriety-threatening episodes.
>
> Their experience suggests that even though barbiturates and
> tranquilizers (such as Librium, Valium, meprobamates, etc.) may be
> safe for most nonalcoholics when taken according to a doctor's
> instructions, they can be harmful to the alcoholic. It is often true
> that these substances create a dependence as devastating as dependence
> on alcohol.
>
> Even many AA's who have taken over-the-counter nonprescription drugs,
> thinking them harmless, have discovered the alcoholic's tendency to
> become addicted again. And those AA's who have used street drugs,
> ranging from marijuana to heroin, have discovered the alcoholic's
> tendency to misuse. The list goes on and will lengthen as new drugs
> are developed.
>
> The reasons for this tendency to become readdicted are varied. In
> some cases the drug acts in the same way in the body as does alcohol.
> This is the case with barbiturates, Valium, Librium, and other
> medications that act like sedatives. An alcoholic's physical system
> has already adjusted to the use of sedatives, and when they are used
> without caution destructive dependence can develop. The use of
> medications and drugs to relieve stress becomes an almost automatic
> response for many alcoholics.
>
> <Some AA members share their experience with drugs>....
>
> However, some alcoholics require medication...
>
> At the same time that we recognize this dangerous tendency to
> readdiction, we also recognize that alcoholics are *not immune* to
> other diseases. Some of us have had to cope with depressions that can
> be suicidal; schizophrenia that sometimes requires hospitalization;
> manic depression; and other mental and biological illnesses. Also
> among us are epileptics, members with heart trouble, cancer,
> allergies, hypertension, and many other serious physical conditions.
>
> Because of the difficulties that many alcoholics have with drugs, some
> members have taken the position that no one in AA should take any
> medication. While this position has undoubtedly prevented relapses
> for some, it has meant disaster for others.
>
> AA members and many of their physicians have described situations in
> which depressed patients have been told by AAs to throw away the
> pills, only to have depression return with all its difficulties,
> sometimes resulting in suicide. We have heard, too, from
> schizophrenics, manic depressives, epileptics, and others requiring
> medication that well-meaning AA friends often discourage them from
> taking prescribed medication. Unfortunately, by following a layman's
> advice, the sufferers find that their conditions can return with all
> their previous intensity. On top of that, they feel guilty because
> they are convinced that "AA is against pills".
>
> It becomes clear that just as it is wrong to enable or support any
> alcoholic to become readdicted to any drug, it's equally wrong to
> deprive any alcoholic of medication which can alleviate or control
> other disabling physical and/or emotional problems.
>
> <Some AA members who have required medication share with us> ....
>
> Summary
>
> Experience has shown that this problem can be minimized if the
> following suggestions are carefully heeded:
>
> 1. Remember that as a recovering alcoholic 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.
>
> 2. Remember that the best safeguard against drug-related relapse is
> an active participation in the AA program of recovery.
>
> 3. No AA Member Plays Doctor
>
> 4. Be completely honest with yourself and your physician regarding
> use of medication.
>
> 5. If in doubt, consult a physician with demonstrated experience in
> the treatment of alcoholism.
>
> 6. Be frank about your alcoholism with any physician or dentist you
> consult. Such confidence will be respected and is most helpful to the
> doctor.
>
> 7. Inform the physician at once if you experience side effects from
> prescribed drugs.
>
> 8. Consider consulting another doctor if the personal physician
> refuses or fails to recognize the peculiar susceptibility of
> alcoholics to sedatives, tranquilizers, and stimulants.
>
> 9. Give your doctor copies of this pamphlet.
> "
>
> --
> Blue Moon

[Cartman]

Thanks Blue Moon. Good info.

- Cartman


"Blue Moon" <mfoco@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c6128e0ff71be49a57b7bfb10fbd370a@free.teranew s.com...
> Having been frequently ridiculed by at least one other contributor to
> this forum for allegedly not getting educated, I have frequently given
> assurances that if I came across the often-referred-to leaflet "The AA
> member - Medications & other Drugs" then I would pick it up and read
> it.
>
> I found the leaflet at a meeting this evening, and can only conclude
> that it is *fully* compatible with everything I've been saying on the
> subject in this forum.
>
> Rather than enduring any more of the smoke-and-mirror tactics, it
> seems appropriate to reproduce (except for the anecdotal lay-person
> stories). Others can then also take an informed view on the subject
> of this leaflet ... information that has, until now, been denied to
> many of us.
>
> "
> Alcoholics Anonymous is a program for alcoholics who seek freedom from
> alcohol. It is not a program against drugs. However, *some* AA
> members have *misused drugs*, often as a substitute for alcohol, in
> such a manner as to become a threat to the achievement and maintenance
> of sobriety. These incidents have caused *all* AA members to be
> concerned with what is popularly known as the "pill problem".
>
> A report from a group of physicians in AA
>
> Because this subject is one which goes deeply into the field of
> medicine, a group of physicians who are members of AA was asked to
> help prepare this pamphlet.
>
> The experience of some AA members reveals that drug misuse can
> threaten the achievement and maintenance of sobriety.
>
> Yet some AA members must take prescribed medication in order to treat
> certain serious medical problems.
>
> Experience has shown that this problem can be minimized if the
> following suggestions are carefully heeded:
>
> 1. Remember that as a recovering alcoholic 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.
>
> 2. Remember that the best safeguard against drug-related relapse is
> an active participation in the AA program of recovery.
>
> 3. No AA Member Plays Doctor.
>
> 4. Be completely honest with yourself and your physician regarding
> use of medication.
>
> 5. If in doubt, consult a physician with demonstrated experience in
> the treatment of alcoholism.
>
> 6. Be frank about your alcoholism with any physician or dentist you
> consult. Such confidence will be respected and is most helpful to the
> doctor.
>
> 7. Inform the physician at once if you experience side effects from
> prescribed drugs.
>
> 8. Consider consulting another doctor if a personal physician refuses
> or fails to recognize the peculiar susceptibility of alcoholics to
> sedatives, tranquilizers, and stimulants.
>
> 9. Give your doctor copies of this pamphlet.
>
> In this pamphlet you will read some suggestions outlined by
> physicians, as well as the shared experience of a few AA members.
>
> From the earliest days of Alcoholics Anonymous it has been clear that
> many alcoholics tended to become physically and/or psychologically
> dependent on drugs other than alcohol. There has been tragic incident
> after tragic incident of individuals who have struggled to achieve
> sobriety only to develop just as serious a problem with a different
> drug. Time and time again, AA members have described frightening and
> sobriety-threatening episodes.
>
> Their experience suggests that even though barbiturates and
> tranquilizers (such as Librium, Valium, meprobamates, etc.) may be
> safe for most nonalcoholics when taken according to a doctor's
> instructions, they can be harmful to the alcoholic. It is often true
> that these substances create a dependence as devastating as dependence
> on alcohol.
>
> Even many AA's who have taken over-the-counter nonprescription drugs,
> thinking them harmless, have discovered the alcoholic's tendency to
> become addicted again. And those AA's who have used street drugs,
> ranging from marijuana to heroin, have discovered the alcoholic's
> tendency to misuse. The list goes on and will lengthen as new drugs
> are developed.
>
> The reasons for this tendency to become readdicted are varied. In
> some cases the drug acts in the same way in the body as does alcohol.
> This is the case with barbiturates, Valium, Librium, and other
> medications that act like sedatives. An alcoholic's physical system
> has already adjusted to the use of sedatives, and when they are used
> without caution destructive dependence can develop. The use of
> medications and drugs to relieve stress becomes an almost automatic
> response for many alcoholics.
>
> <Some AA members share their experience with drugs>....
>
> However, some alcoholics require medication...
>
> At the same time that we recognize this dangerous tendency to
> readdiction, we also recognize that alcoholics are *not immune* to
> other diseases. Some of us have had to cope with depressions that can
> be suicidal; schizophrenia that sometimes requires hospitalization;
> manic depression; and other mental and biological illnesses. Also
> among us are epileptics, members with heart trouble, cancer,
> allergies, hypertension, and many other serious physical conditions.
>
> Because of the difficulties that many alcoholics have with drugs, some
> members have taken the position that no one in AA should take any
> medication. While this position has undoubtedly prevented relapses
> for some, it has meant disaster for others.
>
> AA members and many of their physicians have described situations in
> which depressed patients have been told by AAs to throw away the
> pills, only to have depression return with all its difficulties,
> sometimes resulting in suicide. We have heard, too, from
> schizophrenics, manic depressives, epileptics, and others requiring
> medication that well-meaning AA friends often discourage them from
> taking prescribed medication. Unfortunately, by following a layman's
> advice, the sufferers find that their conditions can return with all
> their previous intensity. On top of that, they feel guilty because
> they are convinced that "AA is against pills".
>
> It becomes clear that just as it is wrong to enable or support any
> alcoholic to become readdicted to any drug, it's equally wrong to
> deprive any alcoholic of medication which can alleviate or control
> other disabling physical and/or emotional problems.
>
> <Some AA members who have required medication share with us> ....
>
> Summary
>
> Experience has shown that this problem can be minimized if the
> following suggestions are carefully heeded:
>
> 1. Remember that as a recovering alcoholic 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.
>
> 2. Remember that the best safeguard against drug-related relapse is
> an active participation in the AA program of recovery.
>
> 3. No AA Member Plays Doctor
>
> 4. Be completely honest with yourself and your physician regarding
> use of medication.
>
> 5. If in doubt, consult a physician with demonstrated experience in
> the treatment of alcoholism.
>
> 6. Be frank about your alcoholism with any physician or dentist you
> consult. Such confidence will be respected and is most helpful to the
> doctor.
>
> 7. Inform the physician at once if you experience side effects from
> prescribed drugs.
>
> 8. Consider consulting another doctor if the personal physician
> refuses or fails to recognize the peculiar susceptibility of
> alcoholics to sedatives, tranquilizers, and stimulants.
>
> 9. Give your doctor copies of this pamphlet.
> "
>
> --
> Blue Moon