[zbmom]

So here is my dilemma. I have a very addictive personality. My father is a drug addict (crack/cocaine) and an alcoholic. His siblings and my grandfather are alcoholic. Lots of alcoholism on mom's side too.

I've got bipolar disorder and ptsd which translates to lots of depression and anxiety in my case. I've struggled with self injury on and off for several years. When I'm not cutting, I tend to self medicate by overeating, and in the past and recently by drinking to try and calm down. I'm still not in a place where I have healthy coping skills yet. With my family history and how much I enjoy alcohol I'm thinking that the cutting may be the lesser of two evils until I learn healthy coping skills. What do you think? Better the demon you know right?

I guess I'm just worried that if I keep on with the drinking I'll end up an alcoholic which seems more dangerous than having some scars.

What do you guys think the "safer" and "less long term consequences" addiction would be? Cutting or drinking? I want an outside perspective.

[Willcat]

Originally Posted by zbmom

What do you guys think the "safer" and "less long term consequences" addiction would be? Cutting or drinking? I want an outside perspective.

I think in this case one is not lesser in harm than the other. Both disorders need treatment, both are seriously harmful in nature.

I would suggest that you need to find ways to work on your problem. If you cant recover on your own, then seeking professional help is needed.

I do hope you will look into ways of stopping both self-harm and drinking.

[zbmom]

I am in therapy and working with a psychiatrist. So I am in treatment, just not "there" yet. Stopping the drinking at this point is not a problem. I am not addicted to it, but I think I probably would get there if I continued. I was mainly drinking to avoid cutting, so that kind of seems counterintuitive now. Just swapping out one thing for another. I just wondered what others might think. I did talk to my therapist today about the topic. She agrees that continuing to drink is a bad idea and suggested I consider some anti-anxiety meds or start looking into hobbies or things I enjoy to channel the nervous energy. She generally sees cutting as a tool, not necessarily a good one, but she never makes me feel bad about it. So I guess I'll be looking into some volunteer things and start considering medication as well. Thanks for your input.

[madisgram]

so glad you discussed this with your T.

She generally sees cutting as a tool,not necessarily a good one,

if you have some issues that are self sabotaging behaviors any one of them can lead you back to the others so i'm glad she gave you some positive alternatives. keep us posted. hope all goes well.