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Tradition
9 | Tradition 11
10.
"D.R.A. is a non-professional program. We do not provide chemical
dependency, mental health or other social services. D.R.A. has no
opinion regarding the appropriate use of medications or other methods of
managing our symptoms."
| A core principle behind the Tenth
Tradition is that we leave the doctoring to the doctors. We don't
offer advice on meds or professional therapeutic services. DRA is
a voluntary self-help mutual support program. |
IN OUR OWN WORDS: Members
share their thoughts on the Tenth Tradition
There is no
such thing as a DRA Treatment Center or a DRA Mental Health Program.
There's just a network of self-governed DRA 12 Step Self-Help Groups
spread around the world that hold DRA meetings in an attempt to help each other in our dual recovery.
That's what we do. We help each other.
These meds tend to work so
differently on everyone that keeping away from giving advice on which ones
are good and which ones are not is probably a really good idea. What might
save one person's life may make another guy climb the walls. Best to just
share about how I've use the Steps and the tools to best manage my
psychiatric disorder and leave the medication advice to the doctors.
Medications and stuff are often discussed or shared about
at meetings. Face it, getting them dialed in right and getting use to the
side effects can be a real hassle. Rather than telling someone they are
taking to much or to little or the wrong medication, what I try to do is
to remind them that they can talk honestly with their doctor about what
they are experiencing. That the doctors really do want to know and maybe
after the meeting I'll talk with that person so they can figure out good
ways to describe their feelings to the doctor. Lots of times people just
don't know how to put into words what sensations they are experiencing.
It's all new and it can be confusing.
I like the fact that DRA is not run by a bunch of
people in lab coats or business suits. It really is powered by us--the
Members who make up the Fellowship. The DRA Preamble says that there must
always be a clear boundary separating the work of DRA from the work of
chemical dependency and mental health professionals. To me that is really
an empowering concept. I need the help of my doctor and treatment team,
but DRA is my thing not theirs. It's run by you and me. It is we who are
in dual recovery who make it happen and keep it going so other new people
can come and share in our growing circle of support.
Tradition
9 | Tradition 11
Fellowship
Traditions Discussion Booklet This section of web site in downloadable
printable PDF Adobe Reader format
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