[lil_better_everyday]

I know there is a strong scientific correlation between bipolar and addiction.

I'm a recovering alcoholic, and in fact putting down the bottle is what finally made accept my diagnosis. So I'm just curious how many others we have running around here.

Cheers! (said ironically)

[zmymoods]

At one point issues with all the above however, responded with the present.

[BipolaRNurse]

Recovering alcoholic with 21 1/2 years sobriety under my belt now. Doesn't mean I don't still crave booze on occasion, but I haven't taken a single sip since Dec. 31, 1991.

[lil_better_everyday]

That's awesome! I still have a little over 21 years to get on your level, but I'm determined to get there!

[BipolaRNurse]

You will.....one day at a time, one crisis at a time, one hour at a time, sometimes even one white-knuckled MINUTE at a time. The only difference between us is I have a few more of those under my belt. You'll make it if you want it enough.

[lil_better_everyday]

Thanks! I definitely want it enough!!

And, yup, I'm learning that. My only relapse in the almost nine months since I decide to enter treatment ended in a grand mal seizure, two days in the hospital and a $13k+ bill (which the VA is taking care of thankfully). That scared the living **** out of me. I haven't had one craving since. I assume when I'm further from the event (it happened early May) they'll return, but it's allowed me to actually get out of the house and reconnect with friends which has been helpful for several of my issues I think.

Anyway, (water) Cheers!! Haha!

[EBD8]

I am most definitely an addict. I know this may sound crazy but 6 months after being diagnosed with BP2 I became addicted to opiates, gambling and sex. I'm not proud of any of them and they have cost me dearly in many ways. I still struggle everyday but within the last 2 weeks it's time for a change because I'm tired of not feeling in control of my urges. I bought a juice extractor and juice regularly and joined a health club. With the help and support of my girlfriend I'm giving it one more try on my own and if this doesn't work I'm going into treatment. I never really felt comfortable talking about my addictions because I simply didn't want to be judged. But I know that life for me and others will be a lot less complicated and a lot more enjoyable. I'm thankful that you did this survey because at least it allowed me to open up and admit things I have been hiding for years.

[lil_better_everyday]

EBD8- Recovery/treatment isn't fun and you will be uncomfortable for much of it, but I, as I assume many others here, can attest that it is totally worth it in the end! Every human being ever has been able to handle being uncomfortable, many of us, especially those of with bipolar, would rather not, so we go to whatever our vice is. It sucks but you can do it!

And, I feel ya. I still hate talking about feelings, and still rarely do outside those I'm REALLY close to and medical staff. ****, 'feelings' was a word that didn't exist while I was in the Marines. It's taken a lot of intestinal fortitude on my part to get over that, but it has allowed me to overcome my addiction and get the proper medical care I need. To echo what I said above- I fully believe in you!

Feel free to PM if you would like any info or links on any of the secular, science-based sobriety organizations I've come across. I feel like a snake oil salesman, but the rehab I went to was based off one and I fully stand behind it. They offer free online meetings because face-to-face meetings are scarce right now.

Good luck!

[Mack2]

I'm addicted to benzo fury, was a legal high until last month

[Victoria'smom]

Some feel eating disorders are addictions

[Confusedinomicon]

Eating disorder would be under "process addiction".
What is a Process Addiction?

I probably have a process addiction. I'm addicted to the internet. Not so much that I will forgo my daily responsibilities but I do like to be "connected".
I think it's something most people are addicted to.

[bluewind]

I used to be a beer bingeing alcoholic. I have had long periods of sobriety followed by periods of drinking. When i am manic I sometime self-medicate with alcohol. I relapsed a month ago and now have 30 days sober. I also like opiates. I take benzos but have never been addicted to them.

[moremi]

I was addicted to benzos for years. Been clean over two years now.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

[lil_better_everyday]

Thanks to everyone for voting and responding!

Small sample size, but at cursory glance it looks like the good members of this forum are average as a whole. Not in a bad way, most of you extraordinary! But the majority of the studies I read concluded about 40-60% percent of bipolar patients had comorbid addiction, and the above numbers put us right in that range.

Thanks again!

[Victoria'smom]

I didn't make process addiction, but I believe that eating disorders are more an OCD issue.

[Debi54]

I definitely have an addictive personality. First it was alcohol, stopped that because it wasn't a problem yet. My second go-round with it was a problem. I drank like a fish for a little over 3 years steady, till my best friend committed suicide. Still drank for 6 more months until I had an epiphany. Also doing prescription drugs. Quit all that on my own. Fallen off the wagon once in 13 years. The pills, tho, they got to be a huge problem a few years ago. Had to have help this time getting off them. My p-doc gave me suboxone, and that helped tremendously. Been clean for a few years now. Never want to go thru that again!

[sugahorse1]

I don't know if I am technically an addict. I do drink just about every night. Sometimes just one beer, sometimes 4 beers, or sometimes a full go.
I used to smoke, but have stopped. I never felt I was addicted to the nicotine as such.
I have an emotional addiction to benzos. I believe I was physically addicted to them for a while and then went to hospital to withdraw. I now just crave the relaxed feeling benzos give me. I haven't taken one in about 2 weeks