Odd. Weed has been my salvation - for chronic pain although the two strains that I use both have a calming effect, not a ‘high,’ though. I’m very pro-weed and, if I am to stay off opiates and opioids (christ - more criminalization for chronic pain sufferers, now), then weed is my medication. I would be interested in why you think that you ‘may have’ a weed problem. Cannabis is not thought to be ‘addictive’ (oh, now I have issues with that word!) and ‘withdrawal’ symptoms are very, very minor. I think that ‘cannabis use disorder’ is a load of crap and that it will go the way of homosexuality as a disorder.

Gambling, then. The only non-substance addictive disorder recognized in the newest DSM. Gambling certainly falls within the spectrum of risky behaviors in a manic phase. But that’s no longer a problem for you?

Okay, so the triggers are ‘contact with a certain person’ or a ‘bad customer encounter’? You get upset. How? What do you feel when you’re upset? Anger? Why do these encounter ruin your day? What leads you to obsess over these encounters? If they aren’t triggers for gambling (or are they?) what kind of behavior or feelings might follow these encounters?

Again with the questions, I know. I’m just trying to understand your triggers as they relate to bipolar disorder. I’ll offer a personal example: when I receive large sums of money I go into manic mode and spend it foolishly and then I’m broke again. I mean to say that large sums of money put me in full mania and the spending might be the only observable symptom.

Your response to these encounters might not be BPID centered. As you’re responding to social encounters with others it would be helpful to know your thoughts and feelings.

I still have hypomanic episodes but I have friends that I can call who will talk me out of spending thousands of dollars on Amazon. My ‘support network,’ if you will. If you have a frustrating customer at work, do you have a workmate that you could talk to? Just thinking aloud...