No longer self medicating

I have talked about my self medicating with alcohol for a few years now with my Tdoc. I don't do it often but when I used to have a stressful time I would turn to alcohol and drink too much. Since I have been on meds and feeling better I have been around alcohol at social settings and even been coaxed to drink but I'm really not intrested!! This is very big for me. I realize now I was using alcohol as my medicine. I feel so strong to not NEED alcohol.

Woohoo! That is great.

Starchild, congratulations on a big feat!! I went through a similar realization when I first went on meds and have been a non drinker now for 6 years. It feels good doesn't it? Good job!!

Anika- It does!! The alcohol took all my pain and stressors away and now that I'm on my meds and feeling much better I don't need to abuse alcohol. I really feel this is a great change in my life

A great change indeed!
So glad meds are working & you are content without alcohol.
Love hearing such positive things.

Congrats! Sure it must have been hard work!

Thanks for sharing - this is inspiring!

I'm hoping to get to a point where it's easier for me to say no to alcohol. It's challenging because I enjoy my wine as a connoisseur but then I binge when I'm hypo and am really just self-medicating to come down enough to sleep... So I don't want to give it up entirely, but I don't want to be self-medicating. Someday, I hope!

Good for you I wish some others who are abusing alcohol would realize meds can make you better. My own mother is Bipolar I and has refused to take her meds for 40 yrs (she's 65 now- use to be on lithium). She's an alcoholic and self medicates all the time. My sister and I have tried to help her many times over the yrs and got no where with it. She could never keep a job, she drunk calls people saying horrible things, fights with her neighbors....just not good. Definitely not a success story of someone who refused meds... That's why I sometimes get so frustrated with people dx with BP who refuse to take meds cuz.....they just don't want to.

That is great to hear...

Great news! I too have recently quit drinking and taking pain pills for self medication. I'm proud of you!!!!!!!!

That is great news!!
I'm there with you!! I have not had a drink in 2 months - not since I spent the summer self-medicating with it only to end up having a drunken encounter with a stranger - striking a near-fatal blow to my marriage of 9 years. Alcohol in moderation might be something I can enjoy again one day, but that day is very far off and comes after I get my meds right and show myself and my husband that I am capable of stability for a good long stretch.
I am in there, alcohol abstinent, with you!! I think I will eventually miss my red wine, but hopefully that will be just another reason to stay consistent with my sleep and meds so that one day I will be rewarded with the ability to enjoy it again.
Until then... I raise my glass of tea in your direction. Chamomile is a lovely relaxer when red wine must needs be avoided!