My dirty little secret

[piratejenny]

For five years, I used many coping skills to prevent my SI.

And one of them was...pharmaceuticals. (As prescribed by a doctor.)

Right now, I'm popping Ativan in order to calm myself down in order not to cut.
It doesn't always work, but it makes me drowsy as hell so I can't do much!

I'm also on mood stabilisers -- lithium and lamictal, I'm sure they've helped too.

Anyone else get chemical help?

[Licentia Poetica]

A lot of people here need help from medication in order to function normally. Obviously, while you're on meds you need to find a balance - and benzo's (Ativan) can be addictive so it might be better for you to find other ways to cope with your feelings, or ask your doctor for medication that will have a similar effect, but are a more long term solution. My alternative for benzo's was atypical antipyschotics like Olanzapine or Quetiapine. Have you ever taken anti-depressants? They can help to lift or stabilise mood as well.

The goal really should be to stabilise your life enough to come off your meds - but some of us do need on and off medication, or medication like anti-depressants for quite a long time.

[disastercake]

Perhaps you should look into adding a therapist to your treatment for more long-term solutions that do not involve Rx

[Descent]

Substituting one addiction for another could end up badly.. Look at the list of coping skills on this forum and try something else maybe.

[angelic212]

i can totally relate to you.

and you are not alone in this.

sorry im not much help but i just wanted to let you know that you are not alone