[splitimage]

I have a good sponsor who is helping me work the steps, and who has a really strong program herself. Generally we get along quite well. However she doesn't get concurrent disorders at all. She's one of those old timers who thinks AA is the answer to all my problems.

Today she told me that I have too many Dr's. I see a psychologist every 2 weeks, a psychiatrist every 2 weeks, and my addictions Dr. every 2-3 weeks. Her concern is that this keeps me too focussed on my issues, because it's "your issues all the time". I see my psychologist for PTSD and social phobia, which allowed me to get me to the point that I'm willing to go to AA meetings in the first place. I see my psychiatrist for meds management, and I'm on a complicated mix of high dose meds that requires careful monitoring. I see my addictions Dr. for help in dealing with my addiction. My addiction Dr. is however not a 12 step fan and also helps me work through other issues as they relate to my sobriety.

My sponsor also feels I should not be taking Antabuse. I currently have to take it. My addictions Dr. is insisting on it, and if I don't take it, she'll report me to the ministry of transportation for being an alcoholic leading to a 6 month medical suspension during which I'd have to go through another rehab and be subjected to weekly blood and urine screening. So obviously I'm agreeing to take it. Even if it wasn't forced I think I'd still want to take it, as it provides a strong discincentive to drink and I want that safety net until I have more sober time.

She's also not crazy about the fact that I go to 3 different support groups at the hospital that i did the rehab at, again it's something to do with being too focussed on my issues. I think that the basic issue, is this hospital's rehab program which is really good, is not a 12 step program and has no affiliation with AA. As a result it's either not very well known or outright despised within AA here.

I've made my position very clear to my sponsor that I disagree with her and that i feel my recovery depends on my mental health recovery as well as my AA program.

It just feels like there are big parts of my recovery & mental health that I can't talk about with my sponsor because she doesn't agree with them.

I'm committed to AA, because it helps me, but my recovery also includes outside supports. I don't think this is a problem.

And my AA sponsor is not the only person up here to hold these views, I've heard them expressed by other people in the program. It just drives me freaking nuts, that concurrent disorders are so bloody taboo in AA. I really get why so many people say AA isn't for them.

Honestly, if it wasn't for the fact that all of their meetings are held during the day when I'm normally working, I'd seriously consider switching to double recovery, which is a 12 step program for people with concurrent disorders.

Sorry guys. Just needed to vent.

--splitimage

[madisgram]

good point, split image!!! yes there are some under-informed, is that a word?- ppl in AA as well as the general public regarding MI. i feel your position makes good sense. AA is about not drinking and offers help to improve ourselves with life in general. BUT it is not defined as a "be all to end all." there's a saying in AA, "AA is about your drinking problem and not about your life problems." the "big book" states that for those other problems, we should "seek outside professionals",to paraphrase. those sayings sum it up well. it would ridiculous for you to not treat other things going on with you. like if you had a drinking problem and cancer, god forbid, it would make no sense at all to conclude that AA could fix your cancer!
i'm not necessarily suggesting you bring that part of the big book up to her but then again her approach is rigid and if the "big book" states "seek outside help", then her opinion is invalid. there are many ppl with additional dx's in AA. the attitude of ignoring treatment outside of AA is wrong. plain and simple wrong.
possibly she is encouraging you to focus on staying sober and emphasizing that, but if we don't treat our other dx's we will surely drink, imho. i know for me i had to "fix" all or it would lead me to a drink.
so good for you and ignore her ignorance. even in AA we have ppl we respect that forget that paragraph in the "big book".

[Leed]

I agree with madisgram ~ The Big Book says that we are to seek outside help when necessary, and that's just what you're doing! I'm an "old-timer" in AA, and I see nothing wrong with your seeing these doctors. I figure whatever helps you is what you should be doing. I'm afraid your sponsor isn't UP on things ~ she's a big "too" AA, if you know what I mean. Some people get so ingrained in the program that any wavering from the Big Book or the 12 Steps, and you're SINNING. LOL I say do what's good for YOU ~~~ as long as you're clean/sober, it's good.

Perhaps you might think about finding another sponsor. It's not good to have issues like these between you ~ it can lead to resentments and arguments, and you certainly don't want that. Or maybe you can get a co-sponsor. But I think something needs changing here before hard feelings set in. Best of luck ~ and keep coming back! Hugs, Lee

[Perna]

I would concentrate on what works for you and try to ignore the nay sayers at each place (that like/don't like AA for example). It sounds to me like you have put together an awesome group for yourself with backup help built in, etc. Maybe explain it to her that way, that "it" is backup, even though wherever you are, you're going to be working with "that" program, not always AA and not always something else.

[sane1logic1]

I think it's fabulous that you are embracing all the aids that higher power has sent your way.

I don't think you have as much trouble with spirituality as you think - whatever invisible force is sending all these helps your way is something you can be grateful towards and seek more & more help from. Destined to be always mysterious & invisible except for the effect - of sending us help!

Another acronym of help (step Two) is Good Orderly Direction.

My present sponsor who like me has a MH issue said that in the programme we admitted powerlessness over one issue. In the steps we will underpin our recovery from alcoholism. These various steps will help - at least indirectly - with all our affairs including gaining better MH. They will do that by our relating them to what the BB suggests we relate them to. My sponsor & I chitchat a bit about our MH but we concentrate on the programme as suggested. He doesn't understand my physical problems at all so I have to be patient with him over that.

(I am getting stuck-into step 4 at the moment)

I think it's best, if people in AA really tackle you about your other helps, to remind them that AA doesn't have an opinion on issues outside the program and the fellowship, and that you are gratefully embracing these, just as you are grateful for all the other helps your invisible HP has sent you - home, car, temporarily some money, the ability and opportunity you had to come straight back to the fellowship & the program after your relapse, good memories of previous sobriety from alcohol, etc. The rest of the time, don't be nervous of those people - nor of the hospital people who are (out of kindness) concerned for your wellbeing vis-a-vis concepts of spirituality.

Also the AA preface states it does not claim exclusivity in relation to recovery from alcoholism.

A good sponsor will be learning from you and will show signs of it from time to time whether they are saying so or not. Here's hoping that mutual patience between you will bear good fruit!

I remember fondly a meeting secretary that sometimes reminded us of the existence of her MH issues in passing (not in detail) and that she was grateful to higher power for the opportunity to take meds, as she was grateful for all her other helps in life. It gave me a sense of identification as I was experimenting with ADs under the MH clinic at the time.

(I found with hindsight that getting manic was followed by drinking and drinking made me more manic at first then more depressed. But my MH issues were and aren't an excuse - I drank because I wanted to.)

My sponsor, at meetings, sometimes briefly mentions his MH issue & that he takes meds, but concentrates on his quest for sobriety and his gratefulness.

Both put the focus in their message on their quest for sobriety. For any variation on that they said, "but that's just me", so that others don't feel they need to stress that part for themselves.

I sometimes leave it as vague as, "I have other issues and I make use of other helps".

Newcomers are urged to look for the similarities. At the same time our diversity is there for a reason, so that a wide range of people can find identification.