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Post Info TOPIC: Alcoholism and mental health issues


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Alcoholism and mental health issues
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I have been trying for three years to have a pamphlet or other AA literature that would give hope to the alcoholic who also has mental illness.

There is a story in a few AA publications about Bill W's having overcome his depression.  The two Emotional Sobriety books contain the story as well as The Best of Bill.  There is a whole chapter, 18, in Pass It On about Bill's depression, a story of a member with Bipolar disorder in the pamphlet The Alcoholic with Special Needs.  There is a pamphlet called AA Medication and Other Drugs which also has stories of people with mental illness but the pamphlet is concerned with assuring members who need medication that they should take it under doctor's orders.  What I have been trying to do is to get some stories out there of alcoholics with mental health issues who are living good sober lives despite the barriers to sobriety that mental illness raises.  I would love to know how other AAs who have OCD cope with the endless loop of negative thoughts that plague me.  It drives me into a downward spiral which includes thoughts of ending my life.

My question is why do AA members not want to give that kind of help to those within the Fellowship who need it?  There are few who could say that they haven't heard of suicides within our membership.  I tried to kill myself at 22 years of sobriety.  I have known several who succeeded.  It's obviously not an outside issue when it's addressed within our literature.

I'm asking sincerely because I truly want to understand.



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Elizabeth Mclean


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Welcome to MIP Elizabeth, ...

I too, went through a period of depression and very nearly pulled the trigger to the gun I had in my mouth ... not sure now why I didn't, other than to say that I have found a lot of pleasure in helping others recover from alcoholism, which is why I feel most assuredly that God had a hand in sparing my life at that time ...

You ask: My question is why do AA members not want to give that kind of help to those within the Fellowship who need it?

I am not a doctor and do not give advice concerning medical issues that are beyond my capacity to understand, but I do know alcoholism intimately ... and I know what our BB sez, "Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves. There are such unfortunates. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born that way. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands rigorous honesty. Their chances are less than average. There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest."

Alcoholism is a disease of mind and body ... and unless one goes about seeking recovery for both, peace and serenity will be illusive ... the program of AA helps us recover mentally and spiritually and the professionals help us recover physically ... and I have a couple AA brothers who have been sober years that do have mental disorders, so I know it's possible for some with mental handicaps to recover ... (I have a mentally handicap son that is 40 y/o so I have experience in that area ...)

Hope this helps and I will be interested in the following responses you get here ...


Love you and God Bless,
Pappy



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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'



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I believe it's called 'Concurrent Disorders' or something similar. For those who don't know, 'Concurrent Disorders' are addictions that are co-occurring, like mental health problems and alcoholism. I should know, having been diagnosed with OCD in my teens. Concurrent Disorders cover a wide array of topics, including mental health and substance abuse problems, so the healing process itself may seem a bit tedious. I hope you can find an option that fits your exact criteria. 

Here's just one example I found. It may be an interesting read.

 

Concurrent Disorders

 

When I hear the phrase 'compulsory disorders', including issues like OCD or in my case over eating, the first thing that comes to mind is 'progress not perfection'. In my opinion, issues like OCD and over eating will never dissolve away entirely, even after years of continued sobriety -13 years for me. Again, it's about progression not perfection. Best case scenario, we learn how to manage our disease effectively or practice greater self control, whatever works. If we can, chances are we can recover. Here are a couple of added suggestions that worked well for me. 

The easiest way to deal with negativity, sensitivity or even self doubt, is to develop a positive mindset. Again, it was something I had to learn over time. After years of continued abuse -mostly from my father - I started to internalize all that negativity. After being called 'stupid' numerous times, the negativity began to seep in further. After that, alcohol began to call my name. Eventually, it all went south including my ambitions. After 25 years of constant drinking, I was finally given a chance at recovery. When I reached the 5 year mark, I was able to put the past behind me including those childhood memories. Here are the steps I took in no specific order. 

There were five things I needed to work on before I was able to fully recover, and tops on that list was emotional sobriety. I started off with these simple yet effective tools: Develop a positive, reaffirming mindset, curb most if not all the negativity, set a firm yet stable foundation, work relentlessly on my self esteem, and, of course, give myself ample time to heal. After that, I could explore other ways to help supplement my recovery.  

Then came the tricky part: What to do next? The first thing I needed to work on, besides my strange disposition, was another well known issue called behavior management. Particularly, the big two: Over eating and OCD? I started out gradually by limiting certain routines that would trigger my OCD, including strange eating patterns and personal hygiene. For example, I would stop washing my hands like 100 times a day -just an exaggeration by the way- and only wash them every three to four hours. When it came to personal hygiene, I would clean once a day instead of nine or ten. I even put an end to my overly obsessive organizational routine, though it felt a bit awkward at first. I was finally able to stop the flow of negative energy as well, and not allow it to linger for any length of time. When I did, everything returned to normal. After 13 years of continuous sobriety, I was finally able to control a lot of those obsessive behaviors. Now, I have become the complete opposite, strangely enough. Case in point, my basement. It has become a breeding ground for just about everything. There's stuff everywhere, literally. Just ask my wife, she'll tell you. I guess some things 'do' change, LOL.

Here's the point I'm trying to make: Whenever I feel trapped by negative emotions, whether their justified or not, I need to shift my thoughts away from that negativity and focus instead on something positive. I also need to strengthen my resolve while nurturing my sense of self worth. If I can, all would be well, guaranteed. This quote from author Witty Piper is probably the best example I can come up with: I think I can, I know I can. Amen to that, sister. I hope it works better in real life then it looks on paper. I could only hope. 

Welcome to M.I.P.

P.S. You may want to Google OCD and addictions as well. There's a lot of useful information at your disposal.



-- Edited by Mr_David on Monday 3rd of November 2014 01:28:56 AM

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Mr.David


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Check out Double Trouble meetings that are specifically for dually diagnosed. I found a useful link also at www.dualdiagnosis.org/resource/ddrn/self-help-support-groups/support-groups/

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I would suggest that AA believes we have mental illness or the 2nd Step wouldn't refer to "being restored to sanity". (and then it's progress not perfection)

All the 20-30-40 yr oldtimers I know in the area are in agreement ..... every time HOW IT WORKS is read and they get to "There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest" I raise my hand.
I'm 25 yrs sober and many chuckle when I raise my hand AND MANY HAVE THANKED ME FOR IT as they felt like they "weren't getting the program" and ready to give up.

Funny you should mention 22 yrs sober and struggling, I have met a few AAs lately who have had 20-25 yr "walls" they have hit and had to work through...
Just a few weeks ago I heard a respected Alcoholic priest in our area talk at an open meeting. He has been a priest for 40 yrs and an AA member for 35 yrs.
He said in his talk "I have been an AA member for 35 yrs .... the last 10 haven't been too bad". I was sitting there with just 25 yrs and i know what he is talking about.

A few other AA friends with ~1/4 century have said that they too were "standing at the turning point" (at which time I seek God's help and keep moving forward).

 

The helpful oldtimers are out there for you. Perhaps the next time HOW IT WORKS is read you just have to raise your hand. God and the oldtimers will be there for you.

 

All the best.

 

Bob R



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Close friend of Bill W. since 1989

 

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