Avoiding alcohol, drugs and specified medication
As a recovering addict i know i should be avoiding alcohol, drugs and specified medication. it is a simple concept for me to know I should not drink alcohol. I know what it can do to me, as I’ve never had any problem with drugs. I have never taken them but I like to think I am sensible enough.
Even if I had not been advised that this is so. To know that as I became addicted to alcohol. It is highly likely that if some form of street drug could give me some pleasant feelings of relaxation, happiness and escape from myself (much as alcohol did in my early days of drinking when it was almost always enjoyable) then it is highly likely that I would get addicted to whatever drug produced the same feelings as alcohol initially did. So to know I must not take a drug is a simple concept to grasp.
For drug addicts
For drug addicts, it is often harder for them to understand the total abstinence concept, especially for alcohol. I have met heroin addicts who wanted to get off heroin but wanted to continue to use cannabis and drink. I have met several drug addicts who are addicted to various drugs. These have not had a problem to date with alcohol. Their view is that, as they have never shown any alcoholic tendencies, then why should they not drink once they have given up the drugs? The answer to this is simple – the alcohol will alter their mood and could do one of two things (or both).
It could put them at risk of weakening and taking a drug; and / or eventually the relatively soft effects of alcohol will not be enough for the drug addict. He or she will need to get a stronger reaction, the alcohol not being sufficient. Eventually progressing until the person is back on the original drug or even something harder. I have known several recovering drug addicts who have had a drink discover this to be true through bitter experience. I have yet to meet one who has demonstrated that controlled drinking is achievable.
Medication
What about medication? This is less clear. The die hards will advocate very little if any medication for the recovering addict. A more moderate view is to take a sensible line. If you are a recovering heroin addict it makes sense to avoid codeine as it is an opiate. Generally addicts should avoid all sorts of medication such as benzos (addictive), opiates, and cough and cold remedies including alcohol. Addicts will often want pills of any nature even if they are supposedly non addictive, so take care.
Anti-depressants
Another type of medication to be wary of is anti-depressants. Many active alcoholics and addicts are put on these but often the depression is linked to the drinking and using behaviour. It is therefore a good idea once clean to come off the anti-depressants (under your doctor’s supervision) to see if there really is an underlying depression. In the vast majority of cases, I can guarantee you there isn’t. If there is, then at least as a clean and sober patient, anti-depressants will have a chance of working (which they don’t when mixed with alcohol).
But do beware of anti-depressants as if you are taking these for a long time as they too are addictive and coming off them can produce withdrawal symptoms.
The Haynes Clinic is a drug, gambling and alcohol rehab clinic offering detox and treatment for those suffering from addiction to alcohol, drugs and prescription medication.
Call 01462 851414 for confidential help and advice.
