Anyone here with problems besides the addiction/alcoholism codependency?

[KitchenWitch]

I am struggling with my depression lately. I am going to go in and get a medication switch, as I think my current med is no longer as effective as it once was.

My thyroid function was just tested and is normal, so I know it is not thyroid related.

[NMDemDist2]

1. i get depressed every now and then

never medicated it, but it's usually cuz I have challenges in my life.

haven't had any lately

:hug:

[KitchenWitch]

2. Thanks.

I really believe my depression predated my alcoholism. Depressive illness seems to run in my family.

[NMDemDist2]

3. that's not unusual

my mom was manic depressive, they call it bipolar now I guess

but many alkies got that way trying to self medicate

[KitchenWitch]

4. Pretty sure that is how I got here!

:hi:

[Kajsa]

5. Hi Kitchy- Yep, I get very depressed at times.

My dad, another one of us, was debating taken meds for it
when he had depression.

It did help him.

I go in and out of depression.
I'm never really sure what triggers it- except that I'm an alkie.

:hug:

[KitchenWitch]

6. Yeah

Been on meds for years. Thinking I need a change of scenery, medication wise.

[SPKrazy]

7. Yes

depression/anxiety

probably ultimately what drove me to drink the way I drank, of course I am also addicted to it, but I think the chicken (depression) came before the egg (drinking) in my case. I can remember having panic and depression long before I ever drank

In fact, drinking may have saved my life in terms of keeping me from going down before I was able to seek help on my own as I doubt my parents would have sought it out for me, as in fact they didn't.

Hang in there

:hug:

[Kire]

8. I was asked to pick a topic for a meeting once...

...and I chose one very similar to that.

I was told that a meeting is not the place to discuss "outside issues".

I felt horrible. It took a while to get over it, but over time I realized they were right.

I hope you can find what you need, KichenWitch.

Have you tried the health forum? If it's a psychiatric med, have you tried the mental health board?

You might see me on one of those.

:hug:

[Kajsa]

9. Oh Kire, this pisses me off!

I'm sorry- but depression is HARDLY an OUTSIDE ISSUE!

Geez- I don't know of one recovering alcoholic who DOESN'T have
serious depression problems. I could be wrong, though.

It is a very pertinent subject at a meeting!
:grr:

Did these whiz kids bother to tell you that Bill W., one of our FOUNDERS
had clinical depression?

Whew!- Thanks for letting me vent!

You were right, Kire- they were wrong.

:hug:

[Kire]

10. My question wasn't exactly like that.

But it was very similar. If you PM me, I could try to explain, but it's a really confusing subject. I have a few ideas I'd like to discuss. I can't get a general consensus on what they mean. All the people say different things, but maybe that's my problem. Worrying about what other people think. Whether they feel sorry for me, or are angry at me. I'm trying to figure this out.

Thanks

[Kajsa]

11. Will do, Kire.

:)

[FloridaJudy]

12. Chronic pain and diabetes

Believe me, pain's a bitch when you're not allowed any narcotics (terms of the intervention program I'm in). Fortunately, I'm one of those who respond well to low doses of anti-depressants, and yoga and meditation take care of most of the rest. But it does sap my energy, and I know I've got to start exercising if I want to keep my blood sugar under control.

Right now I've got a bear of a case of insomnia, and I'm fighting off a migraine. I know I need some sleep 'cuz I've got to go to a funeral in the morning - not something I'm looking forward to. A friend in the program died under truly peculiar circumstances. It's over fifty miles away, but luckily I won't have to drive: another friend in the program is driving several of us. I imagine we'll probably all wind up at Starbuck$ remarking "There, but for the grace..."

But Starbuck$ now offers sugar-free cappuccino. And I'm alive.

[The Hope Mobile]

13. My husband goes to SA meetings

We have four children. It has been very depressing (not that he goes to meetings but all of the symptoms that go along with his addiction) but finding the right meds can be a real challenge too.

Anybody else have a spouse with these kinds of issues?

[Critters2]

16. What is SA? nt

[Stuart G]

14. I go to EA, ..Emotions Anonymous, and OA, Overeaters Anonymous..

So, I have more problems than just the booze or drugs..(although I do go to AA too.) One day at a time for me..

[Critters2]

15. KW, I don't have a substance abuse problem. I'm in Emotions Anonymous

for depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, loneliness, you name it. Because EA is a 12 step program, I feel more comfortable here than in the mental health group. I know and use the steps, and other components of the program, but my problem is my powerlessness over my emotions. EA helps me a lot! I have a great sponsor and good friends in my meeting. I had been through all kinds of therapy, meds, you name it. I started going to EA as a last resort, and it's the only thing that really helped. I still get depressed and anxious, but I have support and a program that helps.

You might want to hunt up an EA meeting near you. You can find info at http://www.emotionsanonymous.org/

There are probably meetings near you, since you're in a metropolitan area, but there are also phone meetings and a yahoo group. A lot of people in EA are also working substance-related 12 step groups. The two issues often go together.

All the best!

Critters
powerless over my emotions

[Tab]

17. You might want to look into DRA - Dual Recovery Anonymous

It's organized like a 12-step AA system, and it's for people dealing with substance abuse AND some mental disorder - whether depression or bipolar or schizophrenia or what-have-you.

Check this out, and see if there's a meeting in your area: http://www.dualrecovery.org/

FWIW, I'll bet that at least 80% of people in AA or NA have some other issues, diagnosed or not.

This is part of a growing trend of recognition among researchers that some of this stuff has to be treated concurrently - the old technique of "take care of your depression first and then we'll take care of your alcoholism" AND/OR "you have to take care of your alcoholism before we take care of your depression" are going away - DRA takes the approach that you have to deal with both, and it's an environment where you can talk about your mental issues, meds, or whatever, and how they interact with your substance abuse.

[conscious evolution]

18. Thanks for the link

Its good to hear about this type of program.I have seen too many straight alcoholic AAers really fuck up some dual diagnosis alkies.It wasn't intentional but more along the lines of well meant but very bad advice type of harm.Hell,I've probably done it myself.
That all changed for me when a friend in AA committed suicide after quiting his meds on the 'friendly advice' of some oldtimers.Now,anytime I hear someone saying shit like that,i ask if they are trained medical professionals and if they are not I tell them to shut the fuck up in no uncertain tones.I always end it by telling them it is a crime to practice medicine without a license.

[CraftyGal]

19. THe link no longer works.

Here is the new link, http://www.draonline.org/

CraftyGal

[Ellen Forradalom]

20. Oh, I have a nice little complement of issues

of which alcohol is strangely the least.

Lifelong bipolar, crippling depressions, eating disorder, had panic and anxiety in my 20s.

All this lovely stuff runs in the family. All that addiction and mental illness was followed by a wave of treatment and recovery, so we are managing okay.

[Stuart G]

21. I go to EA, OA, CODA ,a nd AA...

I AM STILL A REAL MESS..That is ok..


.BUT IT IS ONE DAY AT A TIME FOR ME.. I GOT UP THIS MORN...AND AM OK FOR NOW.