Using herbal supplements okay in recovery? - Cyber Recovery Social Network Forums

okid · 08-29-2008, 01:35 PM

Hi everyone...new here. Just wondering how others feel about using herbal medicine or vitamins in recovery. I spent a year tapering off my anti-depressants and once off of them,found the withdrawals and anxiety to be pretty difficut, so I went on a website for people going through the same thing. I didn't want to go running to a doc for a script because I had never tried natural alternatives before. I got some of their products - one was marketed as "Body Calm" to help with anxiety (it was "Passionflower" and "Tart Cherry") and took it for a few days. It seemed to help, don't know if it was a placebo-type thing, but then I felt weird about taking anything and stopped. I had been having a hard time with the withdrawals, went back to work full-time after being stay-at home mom for 2 years and was so anxious I was even having drinking thoughts which I haven't had in a long time. Anyway, I talked to my sponsor about it and she said it was fine, taking it was no problem. But after I felt it working I started thinking - oh my god - is this using? Am I running my own show/relapsing? I have been beating myself up terribly for this, thinking I relapsed,etc. I'm not taking it anymore, haved upped my meetings/prayer/meditation and feel better, but could use reassurance/ experience, strength & hope. Thank you!

*clean42day* · 08-29-2008, 02:18 PM

I was told - that using herbal suppliments is perfectly fine and this helped me clairfy it.

it is NOT the suppliments that we take - it is the behavior in which we take them.

my friend who had open heart surgery - was taking "vicadin" or (however you spell it) it is a narcotic pain killer - and it was a rather serious dose!

because he is a recovering addict ( even with 10 years clean) - his sponsor suggested that he write down "exactly when'" he took each dose - because - his addict mind would tell him he needed "more" even when the 4 or 6 hour increments weren't up yet - and he did that and took the medication safely without any dependence what-so-ever. He backed up his plan with a trusted friend that helped him to monitor his medications.

I take melatonin for a sleep aid - because even at 5 years clean off of cocaine - my sleep patterns are still screwed up (post acute long term withdrawal) symptomes are very real - and it helps to relax me and to stay asleep. it is non-narcotic so there is no danger for the physical addiction but the catch it this:

Behaviorally - Am I placing a dependence on them?
Mentally - do I feel and obsessive "need" to have this?
Do I take it even when I don't feel the need?

Behaviorally - am I acting like an addict? - as I said before it is not the suppliments we take - it is the behavior in which we take them.

my answer is no - I don't take it regulary - I take it only when I have lost days of sleep and have already trieid other alternatives on my own to catch up.

I would say a good way to tell is to write down on a calendar exactly what the need is and what the behavior is - because we can become psychologically dependent on something - that could be a type of "instant gratification".

sometimes the easier softer way - is not the best course of action

if we have tried every other alternative - then suppliments can be a good solution.

however - I take daily high potency vitamines as part of my general health plan.....

anything that is mind or mood altering - has potential to become a crutch

it is your "behavior" that makes the difference.

and as always - I would never tell someone to not follow their doctors orders - The AA and NA programs are not designed to replace medical advice.

if you are really worried - I would also ask a medical professional who has experience in addictionology.

hope this helps......................

light and love

Gail

okid · 08-29-2008, 08:24 PM

Thanks so much for your response...really appreciate your help! I completely agree about how it depends on our behavior. I was very careful when taking the supplements - took only half of what they recommended 'cause I know I have the potential to act out with anything - food, relationships, shopping, exercise, etc. So glad to have your help - many blessings!

08-29-2008, 01:35 PM	#1
okid Newcomer Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 6	Using herbal supplements okay in recovery? Hi everyone...new here. Just wondering how others feel about using herbal medicine or vitamins in recovery. I spent a year tapering off my anti-depressants and once off of them,found the withdrawals and anxiety to be pretty difficut, so I went on a website for people going through the same thing. I didn't want to go running to a doc for a script because I had never tried natural alternatives before. I got some of their products - one was marketed as "Body Calm" to help with anxiety (it was "Passionflower" and "Tart Cherry") and took it for a few days. It seemed to help, don't know if it was a placebo-type thing, but then I felt weird about taking anything and stopped. I had been having a hard time with the withdrawals, went back to work full-time after being stay-at home mom for 2 years and was so anxious I was even having drinking thoughts which I haven't had in a long time. Anyway, I talked to my sponsor about it and she said it was fine, taking it was no problem. But after I felt it working I started thinking - oh my god - is this using? Am I running my own show/relapsing? I have been beating myself up terribly for this, thinking I relapsed,etc. I'm not taking it anymore, haved upped my meetings/prayer/meditation and feel better, but could use reassurance/ experience, strength & hope. Thank you!

08-29-2008, 02:18 PM	#2
clean42day Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lancaster CA Posts: 1,770	I was told - that using herbal suppliments is perfectly fine and this helped me clairfy it. it is NOT the suppliments that we take - it is the behavior in which we take them. my friend who had open heart surgery - was taking "vicadin" or (however you spell it) it is a narcotic pain killer - and it was a rather serious dose! because he is a recovering addict ( even with 10 years clean) - his sponsor suggested that he write down "exactly when'" he took each dose - because - his addict mind would tell him he needed "more" even when the 4 or 6 hour increments weren't up yet - and he did that and took the medication safely without any dependence what-so-ever. He backed up his plan with a trusted friend that helped him to monitor his medications. I take melatonin for a sleep aid - because even at 5 years clean off of cocaine - my sleep patterns are still screwed up (post acute long term withdrawal) symptomes are very real - and it helps to relax me and to stay asleep. it is non-narcotic so there is no danger for the physical addiction but the catch it this: Behaviorally - Am I placing a dependence on them? Mentally - do I feel and obsessive "need" to have this? Do I take it even when I don't feel the need? Behaviorally - am I acting like an addict? - as I said before it is not the suppliments we take - it is the behavior in which we take them. my answer is no - I don't take it regulary - I take it only when I have lost days of sleep and have already trieid other alternatives on my own to catch up. I would say a good way to tell is to write down on a calendar exactly what the need is and what the behavior is - because we can become psychologically dependent on something - that could be a type of "instant gratification". sometimes the easier softer way - is not the best course of action if we have tried every other alternative - then suppliments can be a good solution. however - I take daily high potency vitamines as part of my general health plan..... anything that is mind or mood altering - has potential to become a crutch it is your "behavior" that makes the difference. and as always - I would never tell someone to not follow their doctors orders - The AA and NA programs are not designed to replace medical advice. if you are really worried - I would also ask a medical professional who has experience in addictionology. hope this helps...................... light and love Gail __________________ Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, we can all start from today and make a brand new ending. ~Carl Bard~ "Live today fully, expressing gratitude for all you have been, all you are right now, and all you are becoming." Melodie Beattie

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08-29-2008, 08:24 PM	#3
okid Newcomer Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 6	Thanks so much for your response...really appreciate your help! I completely agree about how it depends on our behavior. I was very careful when taking the supplements - took only half of what they recommended 'cause I know I have the potential to act out with anything - food, relationships, shopping, exercise, etc. So glad to have your help - many blessings!