It still blows my mind how many people in recovery will "play doctor" with others' recovery. Recovery is different for every single person who attempts it. I've been doing this for over 3 decades and I absolutely avoid people who say things like "you aren't really sober if you do that". Someone else's soberiety is none of my business. Period.
Absolutely. I'm in my 39th year of sobriety and this "one size fits all" approach has been a real problem. It is the number one reason I have people tell me that they don't like 12 step groups. My motto is "Your path, Your rules". We each need to find what is right for ourselves individually as we "trudge the road to happy destiny" (whatever that means).
Oddly enough, in the midst of mania (Bipolar 1, here), my doctor prescribed adderall (sp). I simply did not see how this could help my raging mind, but it did. It was life saving, and proved to lessen the severity of the mania.
Absolutely. I'm in my 39th year of sobriety and this "one size fits all" approach has been a real problem. It is the number one reason I have people tell me that they don't like 12 step groups. My motto is "Your path, Your rules". We each need to find what is right for ourselves individually as we "trudge the road to happy destiny" (whatever that means).
As a woman in Recovery, I am shocked, dismayed and angry when people in our community play Dr. My role in recovery is to share my experience, strength and hope, not telling you what you should do in regards to medication and your body. The last time I looked, I was a teacher, not an MD! Also stimulants will only get me high if I don't need them. For those that need them they can be live saving in regards to how they work in the brains of those living with ADHD. Katie...I'm so happy that you ignored those unrequested opinions, listened to your body and are at peace with your health and your body. It's absolutely none of my business how others work and live their recoveries. Blessings to you my friend. 🙏
This really spoke to me. As a parent watching the struggle, it's hard to know whether you're helping or hindering, or misunderstanding or, when they need you but don't know how to communicate that. Medications and addictions are a tough duo, and often (in my experience) I'm not sure the meds are working, or the doctor is the right fit. But there's not much you can do, because they're adults.
I had the same experience with Vyvanse, also a stimulant. When I first took it, I made sure I was alone (because nothing says I love you like hiding from your partner that you're about to take an amphetamine). I was terrified that I would be huddled in a corner hoping the world would stop moving so fast. My kid has ADHD, and their experience with a stimulant was epically bad, so I was very worried. Instead, about 15 minutes after I took the pill, I said out loud to myself, why is it so quiet in this house? My brain's constant screeching and negotiating had completely stopped. SO QUIET. I still can't believe neurotypical people actually live each day without the overwhelming brain noise, but I'm very grateful there is a medication that accomplished this amazing feat with my own brain.
I didn’t realize clinicians discouraged the use of stimulants for patients with a history of alcohol use but I’m glad scientific consensus has come around. Indeed, some ADHD medications like Vyvanse are prescribed off-label to treat binge-eating disorder. I am not familiar with the scientific literature, but it seems like they sometimes go hand in hand with curbing addictive behaviors.
In my experience, clinicians didn’t necessarily discourage it, but many were EXCEEDINGLY WARY. The people who outright discouraged it were (surprise!) not doctors
It still blows my mind how many people in recovery will "play doctor" with others' recovery. Recovery is different for every single person who attempts it. I've been doing this for over 3 decades and I absolutely avoid people who say things like "you aren't really sober if you do that". Someone else's soberiety is none of my business. Period.
Absolutely. I'm in my 39th year of sobriety and this "one size fits all" approach has been a real problem. It is the number one reason I have people tell me that they don't like 12 step groups. My motto is "Your path, Your rules". We each need to find what is right for ourselves individually as we "trudge the road to happy destiny" (whatever that means).
100%
Oddly enough, in the midst of mania (Bipolar 1, here), my doctor prescribed adderall (sp). I simply did not see how this could help my raging mind, but it did. It was life saving, and proved to lessen the severity of the mania.
Thank you for posting your journey.
Absolutely. I'm in my 39th year of sobriety and this "one size fits all" approach has been a real problem. It is the number one reason I have people tell me that they don't like 12 step groups. My motto is "Your path, Your rules". We each need to find what is right for ourselves individually as we "trudge the road to happy destiny" (whatever that means).
Exactly!
As a woman in Recovery, I am shocked, dismayed and angry when people in our community play Dr. My role in recovery is to share my experience, strength and hope, not telling you what you should do in regards to medication and your body. The last time I looked, I was a teacher, not an MD! Also stimulants will only get me high if I don't need them. For those that need them they can be live saving in regards to how they work in the brains of those living with ADHD. Katie...I'm so happy that you ignored those unrequested opinions, listened to your body and are at peace with your health and your body. It's absolutely none of my business how others work and live their recoveries. Blessings to you my friend. 🙏
Thank you, Casey ❤️
This really spoke to me. As a parent watching the struggle, it's hard to know whether you're helping or hindering, or misunderstanding or, when they need you but don't know how to communicate that. Medications and addictions are a tough duo, and often (in my experience) I'm not sure the meds are working, or the doctor is the right fit. But there's not much you can do, because they're adults.
I know it must be so hard but, knowing you as I do, I have no doubt you're doing an excellent job, all things considered. <3
I had the same experience with Vyvanse, also a stimulant. When I first took it, I made sure I was alone (because nothing says I love you like hiding from your partner that you're about to take an amphetamine). I was terrified that I would be huddled in a corner hoping the world would stop moving so fast. My kid has ADHD, and their experience with a stimulant was epically bad, so I was very worried. Instead, about 15 minutes after I took the pill, I said out loud to myself, why is it so quiet in this house? My brain's constant screeching and negotiating had completely stopped. SO QUIET. I still can't believe neurotypical people actually live each day without the overwhelming brain noise, but I'm very grateful there is a medication that accomplished this amazing feat with my own brain.
ugh, i am sorry you had to feel like you had to hide it. But I’m so glad you did it anyway and it worked for you
I didn’t realize clinicians discouraged the use of stimulants for patients with a history of alcohol use but I’m glad scientific consensus has come around. Indeed, some ADHD medications like Vyvanse are prescribed off-label to treat binge-eating disorder. I am not familiar with the scientific literature, but it seems like they sometimes go hand in hand with curbing addictive behaviors.
In my experience, clinicians didn’t necessarily discourage it, but many were EXCEEDINGLY WARY. The people who outright discouraged it were (surprise!) not doctors