Hey all... can't help myself, I'm compelled here to speak up for the "others"-- the ones who don't have issues with addiction and/or substance abuse. I feel like we need to be acknowledged too, and, though I try not to take offense, I have to object to the idea that addiction issues are "part and parcel" of BP. Mood swings, energy shifts... THOSE are part and parcel because they are integral to the disorder. Addiction is not. If it was, it would be a problem for 100% of us, and that is simply not the case.

Just had to speak up. As a minority, words and what they convey matter a lot to me. BP is a heavy enough load without the assumption of issues I, and others of us don't have, yanno?

(Love ya WildcatVet <3, nothing personal. Probably just a quick word choice. I often drive my BF nuts over particulars...)

(I freely admit I did not read the article because I don't register for sites to read articles. Regardless of any case they might make, there's still the issue of a very significant minority.)

(And in the interest of full disclosure... I've done a fair bit of partying in my time, but never had any problem with just walking away or doing something else. I never "needed" anything, if that makes sense.)

Sorry so rambling -- I'm writing on my phone on the bus, lol.