Quote:
Originally Posted by Phoenix_1
You haven't mentioned your dx and what meds you're on, if any.
I would advise against self-medicating with uppers and downers, especially if you're on any psych meds.
I speak from experience. Before my dx, I self-medicated with alcohol for 30 years. Alcohol is a downer. I used to it sleep, I used it to cope with social situations, with a bad marriage, with work problems, and so on and so on. I never was addicted, and very luckily, I am not an alcoholic, but I probably delayed my diagnosis and the chance of getting any real help by 40 years.
Self medicating is never good.
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Phoenix, I feel like I managed my BP with alcohol alone for years before my official diagnosis. When I was manic, I drank to settle down and take the edge off. When I was depressed I drank to make the day pass faster and help me pass out.
When I finally surrendered to the diagnosis and meds I was better, but alcohol was still a problem for me. In March of 2010 I quit drinking completely. I really believed that if I took my meds exactly as prescribed and stayed sober I would never have another crippling depression again. Sadly I was wrong.
Sometimes I miss alcohol, especially when I am depressed, but now I say that a "bad day sober is better than a good day drinking."