What symptoms are attributed to our alcoholism VS mental health symptoms, such as PTSD or anxiety? Or are they all the same?
Feeling bad is feeling bad is feeling bad. They are all the same, but the worse the “diagnosis” or label, the more feeling bad that a person will accept in the process.
Let go of all the labels. Just go for “feels bad” or “feels good” and go for the good stuff!!!
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I agree. I was labeled all of the above 
. It came down for me that first and foremost I’m an alcoholic and I realized that in active drinking there was no way to get a real diagnosis if there was medical depression ect. I also have pdst, I’ve learned there is not much of a chance to work through it when your using to numb it. Really I feel all of the labels, that may be valid, we just don’t have much of a chance to heal from until we get sober and deal with the behaviors that alcoholism brings.
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You can release all the labels. Even the alcoholic one. You are someone who uses alcohol to find release… You’re still you, just you who sometimes drinks.
Just remember YOU!
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I've had depression/anxiety since I was a child, and then in adulthood, started self-medicating with whatever I could get my grubby little paws on. The alcohol was covering it up, but it eventually became too much for the alcohol to cover up, and actually made it all worse because it combined the original symptoms with withdrawals.
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OK so they are all the same feelings but the alcoholic drinks them into stupidity so you don't feel them? I'm confused about something. I'm new to AA and I hear some people talk about their "symptoms" Im figuring if im an alcoholic and those symptoms are prevelant only when drinking then can I stop taking the antidepressants since I'm sober now? . Isn't it the alcoholism NOT major depressive disorder? Is this to deep? Lol!
I used to takes meds to feel better. But even the legal drugs can be just as much of a setback.
Don’t just stop taking your meds, but if you take your body seriously and take back control over how you choose to feel about it, you’ll find less and less need for meds or for alcohol.
Sometimes life feels bad to look at, and especially if something is threatening your own livelihood or things that are personally important to you.
I am proof that you can choose to feel better and eventually things start feeling pretty good… even when the circumstances look bad or would otherwise feel bad.
If you’re looking for a new friend - someone to answer when you need some encouragement - feel free to send me a message. My number is 509-666-2755.
No two people are the same.
A speaker at our meeting today who has helped many people with Manic Depressive Disorder stated that after going through the steps about 1/2 no longer needed meds. So, it’s hard to say. Go through the steps and then see what you are left with 
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I’m a counselor. Not all the same. I have needed medicine the whole time and I have 5+ years.
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Gotcha Good feed back. My sponsor is an older gent and seems to think mental health is just a symptom of alcoholism. He did say it in those words but keeps eluding that this program can heal the unhealable. I guess I'll just follow Dr orders. I'm not quiting AA or my meds for now