[bluewave7]

I picked my sponsor because she has depression and is on meds and is sober a long time. Also I liked her. But she asked me to write down my meds and let her psychologist friend take a look at them. Today she said all meds were fine except the Lorazepam. She said it is like solid alcohol and could be triggering my system into alcohol relapse. She said she was not a dr and wasn't telling me what to do but that I need to ask my pdoc if there is anything else I could take.

I want to keep my lorazepam. I don't abuse it. I have panic and gad and I think I would not be as stable without it. Seroquel is awful for me. My sponsor suggested that one but I can't take it. She wants me to talk to my pdoc but I don't want to. He already knows about the alcohol problem. I was up front with him. But I had not relapsed the last time I saw him.

I am annoyed. I know she is trying to help but if she had seen me on the way to the psyche ward in Feb. she would not take the lorazepam away. I was psychotic with panic and mania. And I was completely sober a year at that point.

Is there any truth to benzos creating a craving for alcohol?

[Travelinglady]

I've never heard of such a thing myself. Anybody else know anything about it?

[~Christina]

Ummmm .. I think your sponsor should worry about the Alcohol.. YOUR Doctor is well informed on your situation and feels you are on the correct medications..


Maybe find a new sponsor?

[Confusedinomicon]

She's concerned because its addicting but as long as you are using as prescribed don't worry. Just tell her that your pdoc has a handle on the situation and you appreciate her input. Don't! Justify why you take it or anything. If she persists then keep repeating you appreciate her concern.

[BlueInanna]

Omg ... Total bs you have bipolar take your meds as you want/need. So sorry you had that experience!! Maybe an opportunity to set your healthy boundaries (something I'm working on), say "thanks so much for your care and advice, but I'm gonna stick with my docs advice with the meds." Idk, crappy situation for you to be in.

[Victoria'smom]

I'd bring up what your sponsor said to pdoc l. That way s/he can explain why you need what meds you are on. I say this solely because comments like that tend to stick in my head to later be used as fuel to stop meds. So it's safer to cut that off now just in case.

[Anneinside]

Consider how long you have been taking the benzo. Has it made you want to drink? If not, then don't worry about it.

[BipolaRNurse]

Originally Posted by Anneinside

Consider how long you have been taking the benzo. Has it made you want to drink? If not, then don't worry about it.

Agree with the above. I'm a recovering alcoholic with 21+ years sobriety, and I still get cravings and the urge to drink when I'm severely anxious or upset; however, I cannot recall even one incident when I even THOUGHT of falling off the wagon with Ativan. (The lone exception being the night a little over a year ago when I was suicidal and thought about taking the entire bottle.) Guess I've just never made a connection between chugging a fifth of Jack Daniel's and taking a few extra benzo's.

Your sponsor is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG to tell you how to manage your medications. You wouldn't expect a building contractor to teach you how to live a sober life; well, your sponsor has no business playing amateur psychiatrist either. You'd probably be better off finding a new sponsor and putting all the cards on the table at the start, e.g., you listen to her/him and use what works for you, and s/he doesn't try to undermine your medication therapy. JMHO.

[rossiv46]

Im an alcoholic and also take ativan. I never heard that before and my Dr. also knows about my alcohol issue. I wonder if its true. Think I'll ask my dr if ativan will make me crave drink.