(Canacrip, alcoholism now is considered by many doctors to be a severe allergy. If you want more information on the effectiveness of having alcoholism go into remission, please read Dr.Kathleen DesMaissons latest works on treatment for alcoholism through diet. She has had remarkable success with helping alcoholics through diet changes.)

Sonotony, I agee with everyone that AA would probably not be appropriate for Bipolar folks to grasp as effective treatment. To begin with bipolar illness is an inflammation of a portion of the brain and also a chemical imbalance.

While Alcoholics Anonymous does consider that alcoholics must not use chemicals of any type for their well-being, bipolar patients need correction of a chemical imbalance to maintain stability.

Unfortunately, I made the mistake recently of discussing a religious subject with my psychiatrist and she was terribly bored with it. It was not until I read "The Life of Saint Francis" that I learned it is inappropriate to discuss spiritual matters in a psychiatric setting--so I owe her an apology.

Please don't misunderstand, Sonotony, I'm not saying that spiritual matters are not important in the bipolar's life (it's a personal thing); but it may not work in the life of everyone who is bipolar, just as AA treatments do not work for all alcoholic personalities.

There's another difference, too. The alcoholic frequently must become completely defeated before submitting to AA help. Bipolar patients don't necessarily experience complete defeat before seeking help to correct a chemical imbalance.

Removal of alcohol causes remission of alcoholism.

Removal of what-I-don't-know-yet causes bipolar illness to stabilize.

The most relevant thing I can think of that would engage one in AA practices is the fact that the ego must be subdued in AA treatment.

One philosopher has suggested that conversion is "a literal burning of the ego to the degree that one becomes conscious of "...a superior Guiding Force. Of course, it's always possible to relate religious conversion to a one-on-one experience, as well. (That is really your strongest point thus far in trying to work through churches to achieve your goal to create a working program for treatment of Bipolar illness.)

The ego is usually strengthened into gentleness in psychiatric treatment, which is far better, because the treatment is a one-on-one effort, and that is most effective. AA does have sponsors.

You are right that some bipolar patients use alcohol to relieve symptoms, but I'm not sure that the best treatment for them is AA. Having a personal psychiatric physician is first choice, IMHO.

I can see you're still struggling with a route to go to reach bipolar patients in your program. We've had another effort to suggest 12-step bipolar treatment as AA rules apply. That one didn't fare well, either.

Sorry to have to say "no" to your idea. Others might readily agree with your proposal.

Genetic