Depression Recovery

Question:

And also not uncommon is the those who drink and drug and are DX’d with "mental illness"  find that when they stop drinking and drugging the mental illness goes away.  So if you are having trouble with your feelings and or your life get rid of the booze first. … and as they say  "If you are trying to control your drinking, your drinking is controlling you Brian – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hi Gordon, >Good point….I do believe many "alcoholics" self medicate and when they >are correctly DX and treated their acoholism may disappear. That said, I >still refrain from drinking…way too scary for me. > snipped…. >Later > he discovered controlled drinking programs like Moderation Management and > Drink Wise.  He is now fine.  He takes responsibility for his drinking and > does so in moderation. > It’s important to keep in mind that he has a stable marriage, excellent work > history, no mental problems and has never been in trouble with the law. > I think controlled drinking programs for healthy people with good support > systems should be used more in USA. >I am for whatever works >Peace, >– >Lynda

Response:

Hi Gordon, Good point….I do believe many "alcoholics" self medicate and when they are correctly DX and treated their acoholism may disappear. That said, I still refrain from drinking…way too scary for me.  snipped…. >Later > he discovered controlled drinking programs like Moderation Management and > Drink Wise.  He is now fine.  He takes responsibility for his drinking and > does so in moderation. > It’s important to keep in mind that he has a stable marriage, excellent work > history, no mental problems and has never been in trouble with the law. > I think controlled drinking programs for healthy people with good support > systems should be used more in USA.

I am for whatever works Peace, — Lynda

Response:

Alcohol Dependence American Description Diagnostic Criteria A.      Alcohol abuse: A destructive pattern of alcohol use, leading to significant social, occupational, or medical impairment. B.      Must have three (or more) of the following, occurring when the alcohol use was at its worst: 1.      Alcohol tolerance: Either need for markedly increased amounts of alcohol to achieve intoxication, or markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of alcohol. 2.      Alcohol withdrawal symptoms: Either (a) or (b). (a) Two (or more) of the following, developing within several hours to a few days of reduction in heavy or prolonged alcohol use: *       sweating or rapid pulse *       increased hand tremor *       insomnia *       nausea or vomiting *       physical agitation *       anxiety *       transient visual, tactile, or auditory hallucinations or illusions *       grand mal seizures (b) Alcohol is taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms. 3.      Alcohol was often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended 4.      Persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol use 5.      Great deal of time spent in using alcohol, or recovering from hangovers 6.      Important social, occupational, or recreational activities given up or reduced because of alcohol use. 7.      Continued alcohol use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been worsened by alcohol (e.g., continued drinking despite knowing that an ulcer was made worse by drinking alcohol) Associated Features *       Learning Problem *       Dysarthria/Involuntary Movement *       Depressed Mood *       Somatic/Sexual Dysfunction *       Addiction *       Sexually Deviant Behavior *       Dramatic/Erratic/Antisocial Personality Differential Diagnosis Nonpathologic alcohol use for recreational or medical purposes; repeated episodes of Alcohol Intoxication. Internet Mental Health (www.mentalhealth.com) copyright