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In The Big Book, the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous refer to alcoholism as an allergy of the body and obsession of the mind (Alcoholics Anonymous, 2006). Scientists now concur that there is a genetic predisposition linked to alcoholism and numerous other forms of substance abuse. While the definition of “allergy” employed in The Big Book is not the same as used in modern medicine, most addiction specialists agree that people who become addicted to alcohol and/or other drugs tend to have an abnormal degree of sensitivity to these substances.
While I am not aware of any supportive evidence, I suspect that many people suffering from alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse may also have a heightened sensitivity to various prescribed medications.
Throughout most of my adult life I have been aware that I am unusually sensitive to various substances, including many prescribed medications. Over 15 years ago I chose to give up coffee, as my daily caffeine fix was doing a number on my stomach. Even though I was drinking only two cups a day, when I tried to kick the habit I found myself experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms. For close to two months I had to pull over frequently while driving on the freeways, for fear of “nodding out.”
As a dyed-in-the-wool “health nut” I avoid using prescribed medications whenever possible. A couple of years ago, however, I was faced with a health challenge which clearly necessitated treatment by medication. As I developed a severe allergic reaction to the medicine normally used to treat this condition, I was admitted to a hospital. Fortunately I was under the care of an extremely skilled physician who successfully identified a regimen I could tolerate and oversaw my adaptation to this treatment.
A month ago I traveled back East for a high school reunion, and at some point on the trip, I picked up a case of bronchitis and succumbed to uncontrollable coughing spasms that lasted 10 days. My primary physician astutely diagnosed this as a rare form of bacterial bronchitis, and put me on a strong time-release antibiotic. The medication was very successful in clearing up the bronchitis, but as of this writing, I am still suffering from uncomfortable side effects in the form of dizziness and visual impairment, which appear to be attributable to either the medicine or the disease itself.
When you are working with clients who appear to be unusually sensitive to medication, the following suggestions may be helpful:
1. List all medications to which you have a known allergic reaction, and always carry this list with you.
2. Medic Alert—Wear a Medic Alert bracelet to alert medical personnel of severe medication allergies, in the event that you may require emergency treatment. (For
further information visit www.americanmedical-id.com.)
3. Whenever your doctor suggests a prescribed medication, be sure to:
• Fully disclose your sensitivity to medication, as well as any medications you are currently taking. Include megavitamin supplements, together with all herbal and homeopathic remedies.
• Ask your doctor to explain common side effects associated with the prescription he or she has recommended, as well as possible alternatives to the medication.
4. Don’t become obsessed with potential side effects—If you have had adverse reactions to several medications, you may unwittingly psyche yourself into believing that whatever is prescribed for you will not work. (I have fallen into this trap more than once.) This is what Herbert Benson refers to as the “nocebo effect” in his book Timeless Healing. As the term implies, this is the opposite of the placebo effect. When the nocebo effect kicks in, the patient’s mindset serves to undermine the medication’s healing potential, due to a strongly held fear that the medicine may be harmful. Should you read the full list of side effects in the package insert? Probably not, as in the interest of full disclosure this literature usually recounts a litany of possible (though highly unlikely) side effects that would scare the living you know what out of anyone! You should, however, ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain the most common side effects associated with this medication.
5. Educate yourself concerning possible alternatives to prescribed medications—Fortunately, a wide variety of over-the-counter herbal and homeopathic remedies are available to alleviate symptoms associated with numerous health related problems. My own favorite homeopathic remedies are the lines put out by Hyland and Boiron. For example, as I have an allergic reaction to Claritin, I take one of the Hyland remedies whenever seasonal allergies strike. (Caution: Always consult with a physician or other health professional in the event of a potentially serious medical problem.) Alternative practitioners, including naturopaths, acupuncturists and massage therapists, are now licensed in many states and covered by some health insurance plans. Even if your insurance does not cover alternative treatment, you may want to consider consulting with a knowledgeable practitioner concerning possible alternatives to conventional medical treatment. Word-of-mouth referrals from a trusted source are often the best source for linking up with a skilled and ethical practitioner.
6. And finally—Remember that following a wellness lifestyle entailing sound nutrition, regular exercise and effective stress management, among other things, is your best safeguard against excessive reliance on any form of medical intervention!
In closing, while use of prescribed medications should never be taken lightly, prescription drugs can at times serve as highly effective healing agents. Hopefully, the above pointers will be helpful to clients who are sensitive to medication in forming a balanced perspective on this topic. Until next time—to your health!
John Newport, Ph.D. is an addictions specialist, writer and speaker based in Port Townsend, Washington. He
is author of The Wellness-Recovery Connection: Charting Your Pathway to Optimal Health While Recovering from Alcoholism and Drug Addiction, and is currently completing a Wellness and Recovery Workbook Series in collaboration with the Gorski-CENAPS® Corporation. For further information on The Wellness-Recovery Connection, visit www.wellnessandrecovery.com. For information
on the Wellness and Recovery Workbook Series, visit www.relapse.org.
References
Alcoholics Anonymous. (2006). The Big Book, Fourth Edition, 18th Printing.
Allergy, Sensitivity & Environment Health Association Qld Inc. “Need to Take a Medication?” Retrieved at: http://www.asehaqld.org.
Benson, Herbert. (1996). Timeless Healing. New York: Scribner.
This article is published in Counselor, The Magazine for Addiction Professionals, October 2009, v.10, n.5, pp.26-27.
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