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Message: <blockquote data-quote="mindinggaps" data-source="post: 765424" data-attributes="member: 29823">I wanted to chime in here as someone who is highly dependent on medications to function and has stopped medications both in collaboration with health care providers and through defiant refusal. The caveat here is that my mental health conditions are very different from SageAngel's niece and I have never used any drugs of any kind. However there are obvious parallels since off medication my behavior deteriorates and there is great risk of aggression, violence and failure to exist in society that can have highly detrimental consequences. The question I would ask is what exactly are you trying to achieve with a medication wash and is the timing correct for this? Right now the primary problem that needs to be solved is stabilizing her condition and getting treatment to deal with the drug addiction. It is my belief that you should do whatever is required to keep her on that track and medication can almost certainly help. It sounds like is probably helping right now. In some sense questioning whether the deterioration of her mental health is due to drugs feels pointless right now. I know this is a very harsh thing to say and I apologize for the bluntness. However, whether she became psychotic due to drugs or due to mental health issues doesn't matter right now. The outcome is the same - she needs to be treated for the issues and then remain fully sober.Based on my understanding it sounds like she is sober and on the right track. The risks of doing a medication wash right now are enormous. The medication is likely playing a major role in helping her manage, engage in therapy and try to remain sober. Stopping now could have DISASTROUS consequences. If you stop the medication and she starts using drugs again then you are back to the beginning but this time in a worse situation since you are without anything to help keep her brain functioning even remotely normally.I understand the longer term concern here and there is a time and place for what you suggest. I think that if she is totally sober for an extended period (12+ months) with no underlying symptoms you can carefully discuss with a psychiatrist how to test a medication reduction. But I would only do so after a very extended period of drug-free mental stability. You exist in a fragile state right now.Also, speaking as someone who takes a complicated cocktail, the reality is that some people need medications to function. I think that both you and your niece need to be prepared for that reality. It can also be dangerous for people who need medication to somehow begin to believe they don't. I have been through this and trust me, you don't want this to happen since the patient can become non compliant and begin to totally refuse treatment. Part of my treatment, both in therapy and through medication is focused on building an understanding that medication MUST be used at all times. Because of my diagnoses, I have to take medications specifically targeting keeping me compliant with the rest of the cocktail. The result is that I have a job, a positive life and do well in society.</blockquote>

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