[Virginia1991]

First a bit of background: I began therapy last summer. I was really struggling and my therapist referred me to a pdoc for medication. I am on meds and seeing my therapist once a week. I have PTSD and ADD. I just recently started ADD medicine for the first time. I used to be addicted to stimulants so my pdoc wanted to get my other symptoms under control first. My significant other and therapist are both a bit nervous about me having stimulants given my past addiction. Unfortunately, I abused them on the very first day I got them:-( Here is my question: If I admit this to my therapist, will she call my pdoc and tell him?

[HazelGirl]

Probably.

However, do you want to go back to the life of addicting medications? If not, it would be a good thing to let your T and your Pdoc know.

[nottrustin]

For your sake please say something. It seems like you are easily addicted. If you don't say something now it will be apparent soon enough. Then they probably won't trust you.

[Lauliza]

I think it's best you approach this directly with your pdoc first, since your t will tell your pdoc anyway. Plus I think a psychiatrist might approach it differently.

[Favorite Jeans]

1) I agree that you should bring it up with your pdoc. Do you want to start down the road of drug abuse or do you want to recover?
2) There are a few non-addictive medication options for ADD. Have you tried bupropion?
3) Have you signed anything that allows your therapist to communicate with your pdoc? I cannot imagine that she would be allowed to otherwise. Your permission, if given, can be revoked. Misusing prescription meds would not qualify as the type exceptional circumstance (like for eg serious suicidal or homicidal ideation) that would allow a therapist to break confidentiality without your permission. At least not where I live.

[Karrebear]

Originally Posted by Virginia1991

If I admit this to my therapist, will she call my pdoc and tell him?

yes. Of course. They are a treatment team

[Lauliza]

Originally Posted by Favorite Jeans

1) I agree that you should bring it up with your pdoc. Do you want to start down the road of drug abuse or do you want to recover?
2) There are a few non-addictive medication options for ADD. Have you tried bupropion?
3) Have you signed anything that allows your therapist to communicate with your pdoc? I cannot imagine that she would be allowed to otherwise. Your permission, if given, can be revoked. Misusing prescription meds would not qualify as the type exceptional circumstance (like for eg serious suicidal or homicidal ideation) that would allow a therapist to break confidentiality without your permission. At least not where I live.

I didn't think of this is true - your T can not tell your pdoc without your permission. Your pdoc would be able to tell by how quickly you use up your monthly prescription, since as you likely already know if you finish too soon you won't get a refill. So there are ways for them to help with use and misuse (unless of course you get them from other sources).

[ScarletPimpernel]

Unless your pdoc and T are a part of the same network OR unless you signed 2 consent forms for your pdoc and T to communicate; neither should legally be allowed to talk to each other. It falls under confidentiality rules...

My pdoc has communication with my primary doc because all the information is put into the same system and they all have access to it (hell, my dentist is part of the same network so she has access too!). But my T is private. So I did want her and my pdoc to talk, so I signed a form for each one to talk to each other. So far, I like it. They get along pretty well and haven't tried to manipulate each other (my greatest fear...lol).