AA model a good idea for mental illnesses?

Preface - I just want to say that there is NOTHING wrong with the use of medications for treating mental disorders. In no way am I saying that alcohol is a form of medication, only that there is some interesting psychology with the following idea regarding the use of the AA model.

A friend of mine, who has no mental illness or substance abuse history, had an interesting but extremely unconventional idea today that I thought I'd share. He knows my personal struggles to recover and maintain stabilitiy without meds. Today he suggested that bipolar people should participate in AA, but instead of being addicted to alcohol, they should say that they're addicted to medications.

My first thought was that it is a terrible idea because people can't just quit medications, or have a "sober date" as they do in AA. Another reason why this idea may suck is that the side effects of alcohol are much worse than meds. But the idea has some appeal in that meds could be viewed as something that many bipolar people are addicted to.

The thing that stands out in my mind is the alarming similarities between alcoholism and bipolar disorder. Besides the high rate of comorbidity, there are striking similarities in the recovery process, that is, coping methods. Both alcoholics and bipolars seem to need special attention on their support systems too. Finally, alcohol has a tranquilizing effect that is similar to many medications used to treat mental illness.

Ian Reynir wrote:Preface - I just want to say that there is NOTHING wrong with the use of medications for treating mental disorders. In no way am I saying that alcohol is a form of medication, only that there is some interesting psychology with the following idea regarding the use of the AA model...

Alcohol is used as medication by many people to treat Social anxiety disorder , Social anxiety disorder (DSM-IV 300.23), also known as social phobia, is an anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear in social situations causing considerable distress and impaired ability to function in at least some parts of daily life. Generalized social anxiety disorder typically involves a persistent, intense, chronic fear of being judged by others and of being embarrassed or humiliated by one's own actions.

Dual Recovery Anonymous is a 12 step self-help program that is based on the principals of A.A. and the experiences of men and women in recovery with a dual diagnosis.

Dual Recovery Anonymous was started by the psychiatric industry to push meds in A.A and 12 step spiritual programs. Psychiatry is an atheist program.

There is an A.A hater site that points out over and over that medication is discouraged and the psychiatric industry has worked hard to change that.

I will be back on this thread. I love the Idea of 12 step groups to recover from psychiatric drugs and mental illness.

Alternative To Meds Center
In Sedona, Arizona. Claims to have helped over 1000 people discontinue their psychiatric medication
. http://www.alternativetomeds.com/

A rehab to get off pills, cool.

Copy_Cat wrote:Alternative To Meds Center
In Sedona, Arizona. Claims to have helped over 1000 people discontinue their psychiatric medication
. http://www.alternativetomeds.com/

A rehab to get off pills, cool.

Thanks for the link! - I found the following details under pricing. It is about as much as some hospitals charge ($20,900 for full 4 weeks), but they provide a lot.

Includes:
• Medical Treatment
• Naturopathic treatment
• Drug and alcohol counseling
• Group Therapy
• Lab Testing (see Lab tests)
• Medication Observation
• Chelation and Holistic Detoxification
• Neurotoxin Removal Protocols
• Neurotransmitter precursors for offsetting Addictive Biochemistry
• Targeted Nutritional Therapy (supplementation based upon lab results)
• Case management- personalized attention to the client and clients family
• Education in clinical nutrition and orthomolecular science
• Auricular Acupuncture
• Massage 2X week
• Spiritual Life Coaching
• Organic and Whole Food Meals three times per day seven days a week
• Food that is low allergenic
• Yoga
• Art and Music Therapy
• Outings- Local recreational activities including hiking and local events
• Cultural Events- Weekly, musical artists from Sedona come to the center
• Colonics
• Nebulized Glutathione
• Sauna program
• Ionic foot baths
• Gym Membership with transportation
• Transportation to optional 12 step meetings

Copy_Cat wrote:Alternative To Meds Center
In Sedona, Arizona. Claims to have helped over 1000 people discontinue their psychiatric medication
. http://www.alternativetomeds.com/

A rehab to get off pills, cool.

Founded by Lyle Murphy, who previously worked together with other Scientologists.

You people are either begging for being scammed by con artists or you are straight sockpuppets of Scientology itself which is why you openly promote them and associates of Scientology.
Please don't tell me you are unable to see the problem here.

Asto wrote:Founded by Lyle Murphy, who previously worked together with other Scientologists.

I know you mean well, and I'm glad you hate scientology as much as I do. However, Copy_Cat still has contributed to the idea of having methods of handling withdrawal from discontinuing meds. Remember, not everyone likes medications as much as you do Asto! I don't know about Copy_Cat, but I think it's great when someone finds a medication regiment that they are happy with. Unfortunately, this is not the case for everyone. Plus, some of us just hate the idea of using meds. Somewhere deep down inside we know we can do it without artificial chemicals.

Overall, it is great that you pointed out a concern with Lyle Murphy, but "don't throw the baby out with the bath water". In this case, the bath water was a potentially flawed facility founder and the baby was the program to help people discontinue meds. At least give credit where it is due, especially when you offer critisism. Very few things are pure bad or pure good, and it's good to recognize both sides.

Asto wrote:

Copy_Cat wrote:Alternative To Meds Center
In Sedona, Arizona. Claims to have helped over 1000 people discontinue their psychiatric medication
. http://www.alternativetomeds.com/

A rehab to get off pills, cool.

Founded by Lyle Murphy, who previously worked together with other Scientologists.

You people are either begging for being scammed by con artists or you are straight sockpuppets of Scientology itself which is why you openly promote them and associates of Scientology.
Please don't tell me you are unable to see the problem here.

I can see the problem, The Psychopharmaceutical Industrial Complex
pushes pills that cause addiction, dependence and cause withdrawal reactions that mimic the original patient complaint but worse. Thats how the real scam works, I know I was a victim of it. Do a search of the withdrawal reactions of any psychiatric drug, start with the ones that you can get free samples of first just for fun.

The Psychopharmaceutical Industrial Complex http://pubrecord.org/nation/7955/psychopharmaceutical-industrial-complex/comment-page-1/

Don't forget to get a chemical imbalance test.