Zoloft and impurity is it fair?

[Shameless]

I am on Zoloft for my depression I also have a sexual addiction for masturbation. I have been able to stay pure for 23 days, if it is because of the Zoloft is that fair? What I mean is these experts say that if you have a sexual addiction your not responsible for your actions, I think the Catechism says something similar (#2351). So if I’m on a drug like Zoloft and that’s keeping me from mortal sin, is that fair as far as my salvation goes or should I be trying to overcome my addiction without being of Zoloft?

 

[Toni]

If you are taking Zoloft for depression and that is a side effect consider it a spiritual gift.

 

[Ruthie]

I am 100 per cent in agreement with Toni.

Depression is a disease, and we are lucky to have meds that allow us to operate more or less normally. Using anti-depressants to us depressives is no different than diabetics using insulin.

It may be that part of your sexual addiction was a way of “self-medicating” your depression; and thus has less of a hold on you now that you are on real medications. Like Toni said, it’s a gift.

Congratulations on your 23 days!

Tomorrow, it’ll be 24!

 

[newf]

I agree that depression is a disease, and we need medical help for it. It is not a sin to be depressed. It is a hardship.

But masterbation is a BEHAVIOR that we CHOOSE to do and it is a sin. Just like bulemia, anorexia, alcoholism, drug abuse, cutting ourselves, and the rest of our bad behaviors…these are bad choices we make to try to alleviate the pain in our lives.

And just because we have a ‘disease’ we do not have the right to ‘sin’. Depression is NOT a free pass for bad behavior.

And I am glad Zoloft has been helpful to you, Shameless. Good job on not sinning.

 

[tjmiller]

An addiction should not be regarded as merely a “bad choice”.
Sexual misbehavior can involve a mental disorder of compulsion. Behavior stemming from a mental disorder should not be considered merely “bad choice”. Alcoholism is not simply “bad behavior” and neither is a genuine sexual compulsion. One of the most insidious aspects of sexual misbehavior is that, not only does it involve sin, it can become compulsive.

 

[Lorrie]

I’ve been on Zoloft for the past 3 years for anxiety/depression. I started being celibate about 3 months ago. My point being, Zoloft didn’t curb my sexual desires, it may be different for you and others. What helped me was prayer, what is helping you is maybe Zoloft. You are taking the medicine ALSO for depression. The main point is that you are staying pure and free from sin in that arena, I really don’t think it matters what route you take to get there, the most important thing is you are there.

 

[Black_Jaque]

Look at it this way. If you know you are more likely to fall into grave sin when you are in a depression, you have an obligation to avoid depression. If taking a licit medication can help - so be it.

I have had similar habits, that just seemed to fall away, through confession and prayer. I look back at it and I don’t feel like I can take any credit for “self-mastery”, it’s almost like I did nothing. Must have been what Moses felt like when “he” parted the Red Sea. “Hey man, all I did was raise my staff, Someone Else did all the work!”

But don’t worry, God will give you trials that will challenge you.

 

[Lazerlike42]

Depression most certainly can contribute to masturbation big-time. I say this from experience! So the zoloft very well may be helping you that way.

 

[Lilyofthevalley]

newf:

I agree that depression is a disease, and we need medical help for it. It is not a sin to be depressed. It is a hardship.

But masterbation is a BEHAVIOR that we CHOOSE to do and it is a sin. Just like bulemia, anorexia, alcoholism, drug abuse, cutting ourselves, and the rest of our bad behaviors…these are bad choices we make to try to alleviate the pain in our lives.

And just because we have a ‘disease’ we do not have the right to ‘sin’. Depression is NOT a free pass for bad behavior.

And I am glad Zoloft has been helpful to you, Shameless. Good job on not sinning.

Do you have a degree in psychology or are you a doctor?

 

[wjp984]

I personally think this so called miracle pill aka antidepressants will one day be shown to have negative effects to the point where they are not prescribed anymore. After all. Freud was a coacaine adict and at one time prescribed it to his patients and considered that a miracle drug.