Hi Guys- I originally posted this for the blog, but realized it was so good it needed to go on my BP Magazine blog, so it will be up soon and I will post the BP Mag link here. I can offer some tips now if you are a partner of someone with bipolar disorder who drinks- to hold you over until the blog is posted!
1. Create an alcohol free zone in the house. It’s easy for the person with bipolar to take over the house when they get drunk. If you make it a rule that they can only drink in the garage or the back yard for example, it frees up your house which in turn frees up your mind so that you can think of how to handle the problem. This may seem silly, but I assure you it works. I’ve had many clients create an alcohol free zone in their house and the person with bipolar listens. I think it’s because the partner isn’t saying- you can’t drink at all- but is instead saying- I don’t like you drinking in OUR home and until you deal with the drinking, you can take it outside. It works! When I’m coaching a partner, I help them create the exact script to use when bringing up the topic.
2. If a person is on meds, one way to get them to drink less is to discuss how the alcohol affects the drug’s efficacy. Once again, this may sound obvious, but many don’t think of how drinking interacts with meds and might make them not work! People who drink too much rarely want to drink too much and even a small reason to help them stop can change a person’s habits. I’m surprised at how many people don’t know that drinking can change meds!
3. If you’re a partner of someone with bipolar disorder who drinks too much- you’re in a tough situation. It will rarely get better until the person gets help for bipolar disorder. So, focus on the bipolar. Julie
