If you don;t mind me asking, why do you have such a long commute?

Glad to hear it. I was never prescribed anything from one. It was just talking.

Therapists and counselors can't prescribe medication. Only Psychs and their CNPs can. Most Psychs will recommend therapy as well as medication. I am one that sucks at therapy. I do need to try that route again though.

Yes, of course. In some states you only need a MSW to be a therapist. Some school systems hire therapists that never got their full doctorates. Any non MD therapist is supposed to be supervised by an MD (in most jurisdictions). As we all know, you need to be an MD to script meds.

I just take my pills from Nurse Ratchett and try to post when I can.

Well, I think because you recognize that you have been abusing your medications you have made a good start. Also you are reaching out on this board which is also a great beginning.

For a lot of reason including my struggles with a mood disorder, I have also been in your same boat. It comes from a desperation to feel some relief from either grief or depression, fear; you name it. Sometimes we are pre-desposed to addiction. There are a 1000 reasons why but the only person than can answer those questions is you. The most successful route to this, THAT I HAVE FOUND, b/c I can only speak for myself, is help from a PROFESSIONAL, like a doctor or therapist, and they can guide you from there. I realize you ahort on time, money and transportation, but you can attend an Narcotics anonymous or Alcoholics anonymous meeting for FREE. It only takes an hour or hour and a half and all you need to do is to attend with an open heart and mind. If it isn't for you, then pursue another route. THERE IS NO ONE ANSWER. For me, I have needed the whole enchilada at one time or another (psychiatrist, therapist, medication, support groups). WHATEVER IT TAKES to feel better THAT IS HEALTHY. You don't have to go through anything alone and you certainly are not by yourself in struggling with grief and depression and substance abuse. All it takes is the initial step away from what is not working to a possibility of a new way of coping that may seem scary at first but will feel tons better. As i said before, there is no one correct answer but there are a lot of options to go into a positive direction.

http://portaltools.na.org/portaltools/MeetingLoc/

http://www.aa.org/lang/en/subpage.cfm?page=28

http://dir.salon.com/story/mwt/col/tenn/2005/05/12/find_a_therapist/

Yes, of course. In some states you only need a MSW to be a therapist. Some school systems hire therapists that never got their full doctorates. Any non MD therapist is supposed to be supervised by an MD (in most jurisdictions). As we all know, you need to be an MD to script meds. I just take my pills from Nurse Ratchett and try to post when I can.

Just to clarify, since this is my chosen and beloved field, no one with just an MSW can be a therapist, legally or ethically. Every state has a Board for licensing and even an LMSW cannot provide therapy, if you check general statutes licensure law in any state. They can provide case management. A psychotherapist requires many years of education and direct supervision, preferably by another LCSW or LISW, not an MD. Unless you're talking about licensed professional counselors, who can have a master's in any field with one year of direct supervision, and pass their Board's exam.

Did you know that no insurance company will pay a psychiatrist more than roughly $50 for providing therapy, while a licensed psychotherapist is allowed anywhere from $100-$150 in private insurances. For the past couple decades, there's been a vast difference in the specialties of a psychiatrist, PhD and LCSW.

P.S. - NO ONE IS A BAD PATIENT, it's the job of the therapist to accomodate the needs of the patient, or be direct about the "resistance" that the patient places in the way of getting to the problems they come in seeking help with. Please don't ever think you were or are a bad patient, unless you don't show up. Mea culpa, too much information.

I don't want to hijack the OP post. I have a question since this is your field. What type of Therapist, Psychologist would you recommend? Is a Psychotherapist the same as a Pyschologist? I don't want just some run of the mill half a-- therapist for lack of better term.