AA Coordinator
“Many AA's, especially those who have suffered these particular addictions, are now asking,
'What
can we do about drugs--within our Fellowship, and
without.”
Reprinted with permission, Alcoholics Anonymous, pamphlet p35
Problems
Other Than Alcohol
by Thomas K.
Problems Other Than Alcohol is a topic that brings three major issues to the surface for me: doctor approved medication, outside help from doctors, and addiction to drugs other than alcohol. How do we handle these delicate issues? Two pamphlets: P-11, The A.A. Member- Medication & Other Drugs and P-35, Problems Other Than Alcohol, as well as the 12x12 and our Big Book offer answers to the questions we might have about these matters.
My experience with other drugs came as a result of a stroke. Being a stroke survivor my ability to function in society became dependent upon drugs. The stroke damaged my brain, and my ability to function in social situations was at the very best, difficult. The advice of Doctors and A.A. members was at odds in my gray matter that still functioned. If I took the mind-altering medication would I still be sober? Wasn’t A.A. against taking pills? Would I be placed in assisted care for the rest of my life if I didn’t? My neurologist and the chief physician kept adding new pills, drugs to my IV, and shots on a regular basis. I quickly found out There was no room for discussion. Refusal meant going against medical advice and grounds for being released from the rehabilitation center. Both doctors said “You do want to get better, don’t you?” I stayed and took their advice and the recommended medication as this facility turned out to be my residence for ten weeks. I didn’t like the way the medication made me feel but I was alive and recovering.
After I returned home many of the answers became very clear as I started going to A.A. meetings again. I read the pamphlets and found that on Page 4 of the P-11 pamphlet it states that “No A.A. member should ‘play doctor’; all medical advice and treatment should come from a qualified physician.” I was taking all medication as prescribed--the advice given by my doctors. By informing my primary physician that I am a member of A.A. some adjustments were made with no adverse effects to my health and my sobriety was not threatened. It further says that “active participation in the A.A. program of recovery is a major safeguard against alcoholic relapse,” which I was doing.
If you read the experiences others have gone through it is helpful. While I found that at the group level these problems other than alcohol did distract from our primary purpose I quickly learned to confine my comments to the subject of alcoholism. People in the fellowship were very helpful before, after, and on the telephone. The meetings helped me stay focused on the fact that I still have the disease of alcoholism and without sobriety I couldn’t function at all; perhaps I could die.
The program reinforced my gratitude for having survived and taught me to be accepting of the stroke as a positive thing. Like my alcoholic drinking I was so very guilty of being a workaholic, doing it to the same extreme. Because I could no longer work I was now available to be of service. Today, several years later I’m able to share my experience through this writing. A stroke is the same as being bi-polar; we’re both mentally challenged but our outward appearance shows that we’re fine. I’m able to accept my limitations without having to explain to the whole world what happened.
How does an A.A. group handle the question of dual addiction, something which is the norm for many people coming into our fellowship today? Our third tradition states that “the only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.” If a person is addicted to narcotics or other drugs and also has a history of alcoholic behavior they are most welcome as long as they can honestly answer yes to the question raised by the third tradition. Their comments should be confined to the subject of alcohol but the notion that only ‘pure alcoholics’ are welcome disappeared in the early days of our fellowship. If you read page 140 in the book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions this situation is clearly explained.
However, there is no way to make a nonalcoholic into an A.A. member. As a result the pill addict is welcome to attend an open meeting of A.A. but should not participate in it. As long as the group approves, anyone can attend. Our co-founder Bill Wilson in pamphlet P-35 Problems Other Than Alcohol makes this point very clear: “We have to confine our membership to alcoholics, and we have to confine our A.A. groups to a single purpose. If we don’t stick to these principles, we shall almost surely collapse. And if we collapse, we cannot help anyone.” There is no reason why members with common addiction issues can’t start their own group as long as it is not called an A.A. group or infer there is any affiliation. There is nothing to prevent the group from using the book Alcoholics Anonymous as a textbook.
For those of you who have spent time in the program you’ve seen and experienced that a spiritual way of living is some of the finest medicine that science can’t offer. We are true miracles. However, that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t hesitate to seek outside help. On page 133 of Alcoholics Anonymous it says “… God has abundantly supplied this world with fine doctors, psychologists, and practitioners of various kinds. Do not hesitate to take your health problems to such persons.” My experience involved many hours with a psychiatrist and therapists who helped with my feelings and made me understand that I needed more than the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. I felt that I wasn’t applying my program the way it was taught to me and as a result I became depressed. Some medical conditions, both physical and mental can occur such as impotency or brain maladies for which only a doctor can help. We must always remember that in A.A. we’re not doctors.
Today when I hear or come up with some opinion about the program I always try to remember what an elder statesman had to say. “Tom, show me in the literature.” I encourage you to read pamphlets P11 and P35. These publications will answer many of your questions. Don’t be afraid to seek outside help. If medication is prescribed tell your doctor your situation and ask if there is an alternative. In my particular case I was prescribed a tens unit for pain which is an electronic device for pain instead of vicodin which eliminated the need of this addicting medication. Hopefully this article helped to answer your questions.
"We alcoholics see that we must work together and hang together,
else
most of us will finally die alone."
Reprinted
with permission from A.A.W.S.
Big
Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 563