don't know what to do???

[Zita123]

My brother goes to recovery group in church for substance abuse and has a question... He has to take methodone for pain because it is a pain blocker so he couln't get a high if he wanted to ( which he don't)but, He feel bad because he thinks he shouldn't be taking anything while in recovery.
I am in a recovery womens group also but that question popped up there and the doctor there told us that it is something you need for a long period of time then it's not really counted. it doesn't even have to be said.
What are some of your views on this???
Thanks for your time
Zita

 

[jenniferstell]

I would think it wouldn't count, since it BLOCKS the high, but I have no experience with it. In my opinion, though, it's a medicine and should be counted as medicine and not abuse of drugs.

 

[chilehed]

There is room in recovery for the legitimate use of pain medications, but it's a very squirrely place to be. Requires close support and full disclosure with both your sponsor and your doctor, a good program and LOTS OF PRAYER. I'd want to investigate every possible alternative to potentially mood-altering meds; if there was no alternative I'd take the absolute lowest dose possible and perhaps ask someone to secure it for me so I didn't have direct access to the whoe prescription.

If it's bothering him, then he needs to talk about it: in meetings, with his sponsor and with his doctor. Even if it's not bothering him, it's dangerous to assume that everythings fine: self-deception is a hallmark of addiction. Meetings, program, sponsor, a good physician, and LOTS OF PRAYER.