Expert: james52144@earthlink.net - 3/10/2011

Question
I am a schizophrenic in recovery. In the past, sponsers have pressured me into stopping my medication. They think because they dont need meds that no one does. My brain chemistry is not noromal and when I dont take my meds I hallucinate, hear voices telling me to kill myself and relapse = yet these people are still obsessed with telling me to get off my meds even when I point out that in the big book on page 133 it clearly states that if needed we are supposed to use doctors and practitioners. In regard to this I have two questions
1) Why are they like this?
2) What should I say to these people

Answer
Dear Pete

Under no circumstances should you disregard what your physician advises you to do. Sobriety only heals one disease, addiction to alcohol. Sobriety won't heal anything else. It is plainly stupid for anyone to tell someone to stop taking their meds. I would suggest you find another sponsor. As far a what you tell them, tell them you are going to follow your doctor's advice. Why are they like that? I am not a psychologist and couldn't really say.