My story is kind of interesting. My drug of choice was always alcohol but then I discovered meth amphetamine. I wanted to quit drinking and didn't crave it if I was doing meth. So for five years used it heavily. When I got clean and sober two weeks into a treatment center I went psycho. It was a full blown manic episode with tons of psychosis that lasted over a year until I was back to myself. They diagnosed me bi polar I and said I had a full blown manic episode and it only takes one to get the diagnosis. I took Tegretol for seven years for it and my pdoc was very worried I would have another. I knew I wasn't because I had never had one before. They didn't know much about post acute withdrawal syndrome then (early 90's). The meth messed me up that bad. Evil stuff. I wasn't as good as self advocating back then but I finally talked my pdoc into letting me go off Tegretol because I knew I was not bi polar I. I have not had an episode since.

I am very likely bi polar II or a little lower on the scale. Ironically I take Lamictal now.

It was just amazing to me now how much the meth had messed me up and how long it took to recover. Thats why I cringe when I see amphetamines used for depression.