Twelve-step Recovery - Disorders of Sedative–Hypnotics

Twelve-step Recovery

Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous groups are important treatment adjuncts for many people recovering from alcohol and other forms of drug depend-ence. Although many groups are becoming more tolerant of ap-propriate use of pharmacotherapies, many individuals who attend 12-step recovery meetings are adamantly opposed to any form of psychotropic medication use and counsel fellow members to stop their use. Strong opposition to medications is usually based on their own or friends’ bad experience with medications. Some in-dividuals recover without medications and believe that recovery is of better quality if not supported by a pharmacological crutch.

Patients with underlying psychiatric disorders and the need for treatment with psychopharmacotherapeutic medications often require ongoing support from their psychotherapist if they must have medication.