I was diagnoes a year ago after a life of wreckage, treatment , and prison. Lithium worked for me and still does to a point. I have to make effort to recognize my behaviors that steam from this diagnosis, but life got better. Then 2 weeks ago I went and got loaded. I was rrested for 2 felonies due to the choice of the company I was with. I feel like the foundation I have worked so hard for just washed away and I have deeplyhurt all who thought this time w the new found Lithium was it for the screwing up. I just need to hear some positivity I guess. i am accountable and my situation will take its course but i need resources and positivity for my diseases, esp the bi polar. I gues I thought as long as I took the meds that was it. Obviously not so much.
I wish you the best. You might want to look for other sites for bipolar people. I am not too familiar with the condition, but I know that many people live well with bipolar disease. It is nothing new to have difficulties with addiction while also suffering from a psychological disorder. Many people suffer from the both. Don't be afraid to speak out at a meeting -- many of the people in the room will be able to give you some advice. All my best.
Living a happy, joyous, and free life by embracing the mind, body, and spirit.
I'm going to try this again. Got kicked off last time. There are dual diagnosis meetings out there. You have to do a little research for them. But having said that, and as Clint pointed out, there are many people at AA/NA meetings that have dual diagnosis. In a lot of cases it seems to go hand in hand. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Many on site have this. Google the info and see if meetings come up in your area. Check the local hospital to see if they hold meetings. AA or NA is a great place to start. Get out and meet people, get phone numbers, call them when you feel the cravings or get down. They will often offer rides if people need it. But you have to reach out. As I said in another post. People don't know you need help until you ask and there is tons of help out there. Keep coming back.
today is the next step in the journey......paw
Hello!
I just wanted to tell you that I believe depression and using go hand in hand. If we clean up our using, sometimes the depression goes away. Seeing a psychologist or doctor may be helpful. Surround your self with positive things, people, music. Tell yourself you are okay, even if your not. When we are more positive, people and our surroundings are more positive. You need to believe in yourself, and love yourself before you can have a relationship with anyone else. Start by quitting the drugs.
Keep coming back!
Ann
Hey Mike,
Not many people ever ask me "Why Tigger?" For me, he is the icon for Bouncing. Bipolar people understand, after all, we spend our lives bouncing between moods.
Dealing with Bipolar and addiction is a difficult process. For the last two years I have been doing very well on a combination of Zoloft and Seroquel. In the beginning ,when I went to AA meetings I often faced rejection and shame because I was "taking pills" or as some Old Timers would say to me...."I was trading an addiction for an addiciton." I felt lost and began hiding the fact that I was Bipolar and taking medication. This was neither helpful nor productive.
A friend here at this site told me about the DRA (Dual Recovery Anonymous) I ordered two suggested books and began reading. The Dual Disorder Recovery Book and the Twelve Steps and Dual Disorders. The words in these books made sense to me and I felt a connection at last. Finally, I was learning how to cope with both "no fault" illnesses. Working the steps thorugh the DRA format made a tremendous difference in how I began evaluating my behavior and mood swings and how they influcenced my addiciton.
Medication alone is not enough. AA/NA meetings alone are not enough. For me the DRA brought everything together and put them on the same page. I don't know where you live, but I couldn't find and F2F meetings near me, but it doesn't hurt to check it out in your area. It does get better my friend. There can be sobriety while managing our Bipolar disorder. Relapse is a part of both illnesses. Don't beat yourself up about it. I once had 7 years clean...then relapsed.... and now I have 3 years.
I think it is especially hard for people with Bipolar (or any mental disorder) We have a dsyfunction in our brain chemistry, so we often try to self-medicate ourselves because we can't stand to be in our own skin at times. Along with the right medication, there are other methods that can help us.
Here is the webaddress for DRA....I hope it can help you.
http://draonline.org/
CJlovestigger... I'm a work in progress
Hey Mike,great name mike f here!
just thought i would share a bit on my 24 year old son (recovering heroin addict)he has also been diagnosed with Anti-social personality disorder,manic depressive,sociopathic tendencies,very intense OCD and anger issues.He HAS BEEN EXPERIMENTED ON WITH RESPERDAL,THORAZINE,SERAQUILL,ZANAX,PAXIL,CLONOPINE,ATAVAN,he has been arrested for felonies ,been in therapuetic communities,rehabs,transitions and therapy.He says he is so knowlegable on what mixture works for him that heknows better than the doctors and psych's..of course his best thinking got him where it did.He has been out of jail and living with us for about 7 months now and its starting to show signs of relapse.he is now using suboxene maintenance for his heroin withdrawal.he also gets triggered he says when he starts getting in his own head and hanging with people he knows will not be condusive for his recovery.he is dead set against recovery programs such as Narcotics Anonymous etc and is not willing to participate in group therapy which is about one of the only helpful situations for those with the "sociopathic disorders. He has severe trust issues with people..i know it doesnt offer much but i believe you have to find the right dosage and consistancy with any of the new ssri meds and try and work a program for your other disorders(bi-polar,depression,anger,OCD ETC)Drug use as you know may blank some of the pain out but in long run it only leads to more devastation.I wish you peace in your journey thru life and am here to offer any suggestions i can.i am just a recovering addict that spent 25 years of devastation and wreckage that but by my Gods mercy didnt take me out..keep coming back many knowlegable people here with insight on disorders that we strugle with.sorry for the miniscule print.cant figure the "font" thing out.last post i sent was like a size 83!!! peace mikef "just for today" focus on your blessings and try and enjoy your holiday period."clean and free"!!peace mikef
MIKE F
Hey Mike, I usually pick a 4. I don't print it a 4 for YOUR benefit, it's so I can read it without my cheaters......