Up to 40% of people with bipolar disorder have a dual diagnosis. This means a drug or alcohol problem along with bipolar disorder. This is not pretty.
I was a very heavy drinker before I was diagnosed. I drank to feel better. I had absolutely no idea it was a serious depressant. I also didn’t know that it affects sleep to the point that it can cause even more mood swings.
I stopped drinking completely for a few years after my diagnosis. Once I realized why I was drinking, it was easy for me to quit. I have found that this is true for many people with bipolar disorder. When you’re diagnosed, the need for self medicating can often go away. I’ve found that I can drink without a problem now. I rarely have more than one drink and the only time I have to be careful is when I start to get hypomanic.
This is obviously not the case for everyone. If you’re reading this and you have a drug or alcohol problem, first of all, you’re far, far ahead of many people with a dual diagnosis. Many don’t go to web sites for help.
Those who love someone with the illness are often just devastated to see the person drink and do drugs instead of getting help for the illness.
I truly wish I had answers here- I don’t. But I can give some hope. Many, many people who start to get effective help for the illness can stop alcohol and drugs completely. I know that people have written and said the Health Cards have helped in this situation. These are usually people who have milder problems.
People with dual diagnosis have a long road ahead- they have to decide to quit. They have a choice- and getting help has to be the first choice. Remember, we all have free will. There are times we are not drunk or high. That is when the decision has to be made. People do it all of the time. So if you’re in a tough situation and are straight enough to read this right now, this is the time to make a decision to get better. You absolutely know what to do.
Julie
I suggest the book Rational Recovery . It’s very radical and may not work for everyone, but it worked for me regarding a serious food addiction. I can write more on this later.
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Julie:
so glad I found this site. 4 months ago I broke off an engangement to a women I loved who was bipolar. Although a successful business person, her personal life was a disaster but she hid it well. I came to learn about the spending, no savings, refinance the house 4 times since her divorce (then the constanct dating for 10 years after her divorce) She bought me expensive gifts for no reason. The worst part of all was – and the reason it finally broke apart – was the damage she had done to her children espcially her son. She was always more concerned about her appearance and social life than getting her kids through high school. I saw the botox, restalyne, hair and nail appointments, new clothers etc. Then here is where I enabled…I know she took Prozac, then a mood stabilizer Rispertal, then a sedative to sleep. Yet – I still took her out to dinner and wine bars etc. Yes, I came to realize that she is an alcohol abuser on top of the drugs she takes. She was always around alcohol. I was in denial.
Her son turned 16 with so many emotional problems that were created because of her leniant, permissive univolved parenting – I had to get out. A bipolar relationship is a hearbreak. I will read all your blog but I am still in recovery mode from this and need your help…
Bob