Recovery program and sleeping medication?

[Donkey]

SWIM said to me....

Ok I have been part of AA for the past year and have almost a year without alcohol. I just recently began to wonder if my use of my prescribed medication Ambien for chronic insomnia is at odds with the AA "way of life" or whatever. Or better way of putting it is can I really say I have sobriety or have been sober almost a year?

To make it clear, I use the Ambien as prescribed, only at night, prescribed by a doctor who knows of my alcohol abuse history.

I would also be curious to know of your thoughts of anyone in general that is in a recovery program like AA and takes any type of mood altering medication (prescribed). Can they be honestly doing the recovery program if taking a prescribed mood altering medication, assuming they were honest with their doctor about their condition.

Also, what is all the swim stuff? Is that a secret code for the pronoun I?

Thanks,

Reputation Comments on this post:

congrats, dont listen to idiots, work the steps with a sponser and take it a day at a time

[~lostgurl~]

SWIM stands for "Somone Who Isn't Me" as self incrimination is strictly prohibited on this site.

AA has a very closed minded view on sobriety, but in my opinion, if a person is taking a medication prescribed to to them by a Doctor for a genuine medical condition then this should not effect their view on their sobriety - whether the medication is mood altering or not. Insomnia, anxiety & depression are all medical illnesses that may require medication and one should not be made to feel guilty for receiving appropriate treatment for their condition.

[dutch-marshal]

SWIM says.. AA is good for SWIY(someone who isnt you) if it helps to kick the alcohol..
but on the other side...SWIM find it brainwashing... "they" tell you how to live..
and about medications.. take them if SWIY needs them...but stop ASAP...

srry for my harsh respons..

[Donkey]

Thanks everyone for the feedback, it has been helpful.

[bcubed]

Having been around AA, one hears horror stories about sponsors urging Schizos and such off psych meds or they'd never be "truly sober." Fortunately, it seems the tide has changed and most AAs know not to pretend to be a doctor.

If you have a sponsor, he's the only one you need be concerned about. Anyone else complains, tell them "It's an 'outside issue,' so STFU!" Really.

[beentheredonethatagain]

the big book of alcoholic anonymous clearly states that some are going to need certain prescription medications and that is ok. there isnot a problem what so ever with a sober member of aa to take anykind of medications as long as its is not taken in any other way than prescribed.


I feel that people like orchid should be banned for their rants without cause. just because they have personal problems , they should never offer up potential harmful advise. They are some captain of the swim team . NOT.

I have known people who's lives have been saved thru the program of AA and NA, Me being one of them. Donkey has been able to stop abusing alcohol for a year , what a great acomplishment. For a member of this forum to tell him to quit going to AA , could be the equivelint to telling him to put a pistol to his head. I am not going to sit here and not speak up.