Hi Fenway: one of my sponsees is in the exact same situation with one of his own sponsees...
I suggested to him to talk the guy and tell him exactly what he was seeing/hearing from him...
the new guy( 6months) checked himself in to detox last night to try and get his meds sorted out... and wil lbe going to his doctor( with his sponsor along) to try to get a handle on all this as well...
I think it is very open minded of the doctor to invite the AA sponsor along and this is not the first time I have seen a doctor do this...
As a sponsor myself I have the responsobility to tell my gusy the truth,, even when it is uncomfortable...
Good luck and God bless

botbotcoco

I have BP disorder and sometimes when we are really medicated we don't know everything that is going on. I think you should tell her what you see happening to her and suggest she talk to her psychiatrist as soon as she can.

I am a sponcer also and i agree sit your sponcee down and talk to her ,she may need rehab to sort her meds out .

Yeah i agree. Mayb even ask around other members about the names of a good dr (without sayuing y of course). It could just b that her dr really has no idea wat he is dealing with and is just hoping to crack the rite combination, 1 day!
Odviously talking to ur sponsee first, tell her ur concerns eg mayb her dr isnt used to daeling with these issues etc If she will let u go 2 the dr with her.
I have no idea who u r but as another menber i am so proud of the way ur keeping an open mind to meds. I have seen so many needlessly suffer, drink or even suicide due to their sponsors believe that pills r for dills (idiots) and if u need meds ur not working the program properly.
Sometimes it is good that the sponsors word is taken as gospel but sadly it can also cause so much damage.
It iis even worse wen so called older members say these type of things from the floor of a meeting and either everyone on meds either feels really guilty and less than or goes off their meds instantly (without medical supervision - very dangerous in some cases).
Sadly the more ill some one is the more likely they are gona feel guilt etc.
I am so sorry to have rambled on for so long but it is so important for me to say (on behalf of the world wide fellowship) THANK U!
regards sue
ps i am not persoonally on meds (in case u were wondering - just had 2 many friends live in mysery, feel alone or die cause of this issue )

I agree with the feedback you've received so far. I would just share with her what your observations are and have her bring that to her Dr.

If I were in your position and my sponsee wasn't doing well with the medication he was on I would suggest getting a second or third opinion from a some doctors... I have been through this with a sponsee. He needed his meds... If she is falling asleep in meetings I would deffinately address that. People have to tell me I'm a jerk sometimes so I can see it:) It will all work out I'm sure:)

Like the others I applaud your concern and openess - may I offer how I have handled the same situation? As an "old-time alky" I have had absolutely NO interaction with drug use (other than my own Dr. prescribed meds for BiPolar and PTSD from the war ). I've never used "recreational" drugs; which SO many of our newcomers have been involved with, but they too need our help. I don't feel qualified first to tell someone else whether or not they should take meds ( no Dr. in front of my name LOL ), nor do I feel qualified to assist a newcomer with the various stages of withdrawal etc that they will go thru; however, I am honored by (and feel responsible to) that new person who feels some contact with me and requests my help. What I do is contact someone in the program who I know and respect that I know has had some DIRECT experience with drug usage and ask them to co-sponsor the new person with me - we formulate a program with and for the newcomer that will provide the best coverage for ALL the problems their facing. That includes reccomendations to Dr.'sministers,etc. if we AS A TEAM feel it is in their best interests. Hope this helps some - its worked sucessfully several times for me. God Bless Rusty22

there are meetings for us that are "duel diagnosis."please go to a few -you will find your answers. do not forget- bb-"there are those with grave and mental disorders that can recover if they have the capacity to be honest."good luck, i know you are a caring, loving, individual-just try. just try. love, devonh

I think you're right about not questioning the medication - to a point. What you can question is whether she's been honest with her doctor about her drinking. He may be medicating what he believes are bipolar symptoms when, in fact, they are the symptoms of alcoholism and withdrawal. Also, I don't think you'd be out of line suggesting a second opinion. Some docs do overmedicate people. Also, with Lithium it has to be at a certain level in order to be effective. If the level is too high people get loopy. For instance, if you get sick and get dehydrated your blood concentration can go too high. If she hasn't had her blood level checked recently that could be a problem.

Thanks everyone for your support and comments. I'll certainly take all the wisdom you've given me. =)