Medication?

In a society where there's a pill for everything, some addicts play the game well. Many who come to us are- or have been - on multiple medications. I remember one confused older gentleman a few years ago who was on 22 different prescriptions.

They speak of their conditions as if they were living entities – as if they were separate from themselves. They use terms like "my depression." Or my "ADHD." "My bulimia." "My eating disorder."  Some find identity in these conditions.

And they have the lingo down pat. Multisyllabic names of medications roll off of their tongues. Some sound like pharmacists, they've used so many prescription medications over the years.

When they behave badly they often blame it on their medication.  They need more.  Or less.  Or a different kind.

It can be frustrating when dealing with recovering addicts who are on medication. Many request certain drugs because they know the effect. And the issue is that – while they may have a diagnosable condition – are they trying to control their anxiety or depression? Or are they making another vain attempt to escape reality? In other words, substituting one drug for another? We can only conjecture.

Is medication the best choice when one is trying to learn to live in recovery?

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