[OutlawedSpirit]

So I've finally come to terms with the fact that I have a drinking problem. I've been to a couple AA meetings this week, and I finally told my T yesterday. She suggests that I talk to an addictions counselor and possibly get into an intensive outpatient program. She did tell me it is a very good thing that I recognize I have a problem, and that it is pretty common to have a substance abuse problem with a mood disorder. I'm just feeling really overwhelmed right now.

[Secretum]

I think it's good that you recognize you have a problem and are addressing it. I personally don't have a substance abuse problem, but I do know its very common among people with our illness.

Good luck with this! It will be worth it when you're free from the influence of alcohol.

[hamster-bamster]

If you are a woman, you need to take 800 mcg folic acid daily, because alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer, but folate offsets that risk.

I have also heard that a high protein diet helps reduce alcohol cravings.

and, of course, when you do drink, make sure to also drink non-alcoholic beverages, with a 1:1 ratio (1 full glass of a non-alcoholic beverage per each drink) as well as a complete, balanced full meal. those are the basics of the alcohol consumption hygiene, just to make sure you know them all. And practice, too.

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

If you are a woman, you need to take 800 mcg folic acid daily, because alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer, but folate offsets that risk.

Is this for regular drinkers, or does it apply to casual drinkers too? Is there a guideline on how much alcohol consumption, say in a week, merits folate supplementation?

[Side2Side]

Outlawedspirit - are you a daily drinker? Or are you like myself, dont start cause you won't stop? My tendency to abuse things has helped to identify me on the bipolar spectrum.
Its great you are seeking help and have indentified and acknowledged a problem. I wish you the best in this endeavour ;-)

[Standup2me]

I grew up with alcholic parents, so I've always been afraid of it

So, I never started (like S2S)

[regretful]

Originally Posted by psychehedone

Is this for regular drinkers, or does it apply to casual drinkers too? Is there a guideline on how much alcohol consumption, say in a week, merits folate supplementation?

I'm male...I was in the hospital late last year and was prescribed folic acid and thiamine when I was there because I told them of my daily moderate drinking, which, of course, I couldn't do in a psych hospital.

Generally, when anyone goes into detox, folic acid and thiamine are given daily because those are two nutrients that are supposedly depleted by drinking regularly.

[OutlawedSpirit]

I don't drink daily but I guess you could say I'm an excessive binge drinker. Sometimes three or four day binges. And I don't drink "just one".

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I used to drink a lot. But once I got on the right meds the need to drink almost completely disappeared. Are you stable on your medication?

[OutlawedSpirit]

I feel stable

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[roads]

I managed to stop drinking when my only Dx was clinical depression. After I was Dx'd bipolar & properly medicated, however, battling the addiction became much easier. I still go to AA, still have a sponsor, still panic on rare occasions & move in with someone to hold my hand for a day or two--but overall being diagnosed and treated for my bipolar disorder had made coping with all the addictions (inc tobacco) easier). Curious.

[Amelie10]

Tomorrow will be four years since my last drink and I am SO grateful for that. I always tried to medicate my moods by drinking. When I was hypomanic, I loved to drink and party and have FUN (which led to a lot of destructive consequences).

When I was depressed I drank to make the time pass and to not feel those overwhelming sad feelings.

Alcoholism is a progressive disease and I could see my drinking getting worse.

I'm still BP, but I know my meds work better and my body is so much healthier since I am sober.

I still attend a 12-step recovery fellowship regularly. Recovery has helped me in all aspects of my life.

I hope you decide to really give it a try.

[r010159]

Alcoholism is a progressive disease and I could see my drinking getting worse.

I have seen this to be true with a friend I knew who was an alcoholic. But this is the first time I have seen this stated by anyone.