What's the deal with faith based programs not allowing antidepressants?

[loveiseverywhere]

I want to go to a faith based program but they won't let me take my meds. I'm bipolar and every time I try to go off of my meds I end up hospitalized.

I'm all for faith and healing but gee wiz if someone chopped my arm off, all the faith in the world won't make me grow a new one.

I'm bummed!

 

[LoG]

What do you mean by a faith based program? Are we talking about a 12 Step based?

 

[loveiseverywhere]

What do you mean by a faith based program? Are we talking about a 12 Step based?

A Christian program called The Home of Grace
http://www.homeofgrace.org

 

[LoG]

The way i see it is that meds blunt the issues that result in addictive lifestyles, extreme mood swings and obsessive compulsive behaviours. This makes those issues hard to deal with because they do not come up strong enough to be dealt with through spiritual means. Because the issues do not get dealt with, the symptoms of Bipolar, ADD and OCB remain.
Not everyone is convinced that these conditions result in the behaviours rather then the behaviours resulting in the condition.

Any mind or mood altering substance whether legal or not will lessen the chance of a successful recovery through spiritual means. From this perspective I can understand their stance on meds.

 

[MorkandMindy]

Are you sure this is safe advice?

Mood swings can be due to physical causes as well as mental ones, if you can't be sure of finding the cause and correcting it then stopping medication could cause problems

 

[footprints1973]

Are you sure this is safe advice?

Mood swings can be due to physical causes as well as mental ones, if you can't be sure of finding the cause and correcting it then stopping medication could cause problems

I agree 1000%. I haven't heard of any 12 step programs or other faith based programs not allowing meds. I could see certain meds causing problems, such as pain killers and some tranquilizers if not used under a dr.'s strict supervision...but antideppresants...that goes against most medical advice that I have heard.

Laura

 

[LoG]

Are you sure this is safe advice?

No advice was being given. Simply my observations and resulting opinion of meds and a faith based program of recovery.

Take what you need and leave the rest.

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

Many treatment programs promote the use of antidepressants but won't allow the use of meds such as pain, anxiety and sleep meds. It is pretty common for depression to occur with recovery just from the chemical imbalance due to substance use.

What does your physician say? Are there any other faith based programs? If you end up in the hospital every time you go off your meds, then it's likely you need a program that offers medical treatment.

Here program I've considered in the past.

New Life Treatment Centers - Florida http://cd.newlife.com/index.asp

 

[UberLutheran]

If I joined a program which required me to give up taking insulin because they believed it "blocked feelings" -- I'd find a new program.

Bipolar illness, depression and schizophrenia are every bit as much physical illnesses as diabetes. Bipolar illness, depression and schizophrenia are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Diabetes is caused by chemical imbalances in the body which cause the pancreas to stop producing insulin.

 

[Dralan]

I take antidepressents and Im in AA. I think you should be sure to tell your doctor that you're and addict before he perscribes you anything. I see no problem as long as your not taking a narcotic or anything that is potentally addictive. In any case I dont believe antidepressents are the answer to all problems either. They may help a little but as soon as I am stable in recovery and get my life on track and I feel I dont need them, Im going off them.

 

[LoG]

Bipolar illness, depression and schizophrenia are every bit as much physical illnesses as diabetes. Bipolar illness, depression and schizophrenia are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Diabetes is caused by chemical imbalances in the body which cause the pancreas to stop producing insulin.

Research has proven that cognitive therapy and faith based programs can go a long to reduce the mood swings and resulting chemical imbalances and therefore the need of pharmaceutical alternatives. A 12 Step faith based program was how I chose to deal with my mood swings and compulsive behaviours rather then the meds my doctor was trying to get me to take when I first stopped the self-medication through drinking and drugging. It requires a proactive faith and some effort along with a little pain but the results are more then worth it imo.

Bipolar treatment options

Talk Therapy changes brain chemistry

 

[HopesLabyrinth]

True bipolar disorder (not just mood swings) is caused by a physical condition. All of the research points to this. Would anyone consider telling an epileptic to go off of anticonvulsants? I don't think so... I would suggest finding another program. There are a lot of really good 12 step based programs that treat people regardless of ability to pay.

Good luck, and God Bless

 

[Vivster]

Hi all...
I'm in AA, and I am taking anti-depressants also. I haven't tried to drink myself to death for 23 years -- so I claim to be a part of recovery. For me, not drinking today is truly a miracle.
Due to other issues, I am on wellbruitin. It helps me to not cry aimlessley for hours at a time -- over really nothing at all. It took my doctor three years to finally get me to try something that would help me. He could see the depression that had taken over my life. I couldn't.
I have a history of depression in my family, specifically my mother, who was depressed for many years. She stayed in bed for days; wouldn't get up. At the time, we didn't know what was wrong with her. Now I know.
I hope the original poster of this message got the information she needed, and the help she needs too.



Vivster

 

[Jeffwo]

If the program you are considering doesn't allow antidepressants I am sure they have a reason.

If you don't trust them and cannot fully submit to their advice, maybe you should try a different one.

Have you prayed about the situation? (them not allowing you to bring your antidepressants)

God bless,
Jeff

 

[YourBrotherInChrist]

Many substance abuse programs are not set up to deal with people who have another mental health issue. And many mental health programs are not set up to deal with people who have a substance abuse problem. This catch-22 has lead to the relatively recent realization that a combined treatment program is needed to address people who have both these problems. The keywords for this are "co-occurring disorders" or "integrated dual diagnosis treatment". Some links:

http://alcoholism.about.com/od/dual/CoOccurring_Disorders.htm

http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/information/get-info/co-occurring-disorders/dual-diagnosis

http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs/communitysupport/toolkits/cooccurring/

http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k4/dualTX/dualTX.cfm

 

[madison1101]

I am a Christian, in recovery for alcoholism and in therapy for depression and on medications. I would encourage you to stay with your doctor's regimen, and find the support you need to stay on your meds, and work your recovery program. Keep in touch with your doctor.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

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[ww2pigeon]

I believe we need to be careful here. There are some really problematic things going on here.

Loveiseverywhere,
"I want to go to a faith based program but they won't let me take my meds. I'm bipolar and every time I try to go off of my meds I end up hospitalized".



People with bipolar NEED to take their meds. And NO they should not stop taking their med to go into a faith based program. There could be a lot of reason for this program not accepting you. This program may not understand and know how to deal with your illness. Or may not be medicality equiped to handle any problems that acure. And or a big one is they may not have the insurance coverage.

You know it is easy to sit back and through out advice, how ever I am not a doctor and I don't believe God would want me to tell a person that has bipolar or OCD and or depression to take more of thier med or stop taking them all together. I maybe able to Share my; experince, strenght and hope, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT IS THAT I DO NO HARM. I need to remember, that I don't need to play in the devils sand box. Have a great day and God bless in Jesus name.

 

[MyHeroIsJesus]

What does the Bible say? What did Jesus teach, He did not say, faith can't help you with that OCD. He said have faith and be healed. A recovery program should not request that someone just stop their meds cold turkey. They should have a competent doctor, who could advise patients on the proper way to wean off and eliminate the need.

Matthew 8:26
And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

 

[themessagecarrier]

If anyone tells you to stop taking a prescribed med run from them fast! I have worked with many people like you. After they found Jesus and His healing power in the 12 Step Christian Recovery Program, they slowly gave up their meds because they didn't need them, because they knew they were healed!