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AA and psychiatric meds:
Anyone have an opinion on this? I just got off the phone with my sponsor, whom wants me off my meds entirely - he says:
1) Psychiatry can "shove it"
2) When I go to AA meetings all "pilled up," I'm not really living and not really sober
3) I need to talk to my doctor - if he does not agree with pulling me off my meds entirely, I should find another doctor
4) He said I sounded drunk on the phone, like I was on drugs (which technically speaking, that's what psychiatric meds are)
Sponsor has a point - will say that. When I spoke to him just now, my speech was slurred and my thinking process was very slow, having just woken up from a deep nap the instant he called (waking me up).
I'm still waking up right now and my mind clearer. But, a few minutes ago, I was out of it. My life has more or less been this way since they put me on meds initially. It takes me several hours to fully wake up in the morning these days, for instance (and that's only, lol, after I've had about five cups of coffee).
Thanks - will look forward to replies.
There isn't a whole lot I feel comfortable saying. No one knows what drugs have been prescribed (and you shouldn't say), and even if we did can't possibly comment on whether they were appropriately prescribed. My only comment is I'd hesitate to take medical advice from an AA sponsor unless he's also your health care provider, and the advice "psychiatry can shove it" just might kill someone who needs psychiatric help, including medication.
I volunteer for a charity that takes in homeless people, and it's 12 step based. 98% or so are addicted. Our FIRST priority for many new residents is getting them psychiatric care and back on appropriate meds. And the founder is one of those old timers, tough love types, etc. But what he knows from nearly 3 decades of treating low bottom drunks and addicts is you can't get them sober and teach them how to live as responsible citizens if there is an untreated mental illness. Treating that mental illness is therefore critical - nothing good long term is possible unless and until that is done. So knowing only what you've said, I think the advice you got from your sponsor was HIGHLY irresponsible. I hope we are missing a big part of the story.
So I'd highly recommend your last comment in point 3) - don't ignore medical advice, but certainly if you're not comfortable on your current drugs, find another provider for second or third opinions.