[ChaoticSymphony]

I'm wondering if it's common to feel extra up after quitting? I've heard of the pink cloud theory and I experienced that too. This is different. It comes and goes between being so excited I'm shaking to bawling my eyes out for no reason.

I'm aware that I should expect mood swings when coming off booze but am wondering if it's normal to feel so excited I could burst. I've taken on many other things lately too. Painting like crazy, knitting, decorating, planning an entire wedding anniversary single handedly, cleaning, ideas flying, drove an hour for a sponge and canvas. Stuff like that. Oh and I used to sleep 8-9 hours. Now with a sleep aid I get 4-5.

Sober a little over a month, dx'd with cyclothymia a few years ago.

[MattBemis]

I'm not an alcoholic, but I'm an addict so I understand you to a point.

The pink cloud theory is definitely on point. I know how hard recovery is (its a lifelong process), especially with Bipolar, but remember you're not alone.

[Justugh]

with u quitting u altered the brain chemicals

right now u are getting endorphins ........happy up feeling energy out the yin yang ( u got lucky)

now u got to watch out the body will start to lvl off soon and look for a balance so u can except some mood swings until it does .........right now u are on a high this will break sooner or later and u will go down deep

then u will come up and be normal ...............it is the down swing u got to worry about and avoid the urge to drink during it

[BipolaRNurse]

I'm an alcoholic who quit drinking long before I knew I was bipolar. It's been almost 23 years but I still remember the high I went on when I first stopped. Everything was possible, I could do all kinds of things, nothing bad would ever happen, etc. It was harder when I got a few months into sobriety and started really craving the booze and realizing I could never have it again. Believe me, you have my sympathies!

[lil_better_everyday]

I have almost two years sober, but I got sober the same time I started taking medication seriously, so I don't know what was doing what and when.

It's tough road, but worth it. I don't know if you're doing AA or anything, but if you need some support, I owe my sobriety (and therefore everything) to SMART Recovery. It's science based, self-empowerig and secular. They have free online meetings or, if you live in a bigger city, they may have face to face groups. At it's core its basically CBT based around changing addictive behaviors.

Never give up, you are worth it! And the biggest part, if you make a mistake and have a lapse, forgive yourself, and pick up where you left off!

I wish you all the luck in the world!

[ChaoticSymphony]

So it's safe to assume this is all part of getting sober I take it. I absolutely hate what AA has done for me in the past. I'm doing it alone while still attending therapy sessions and a alcohol counsellor on call.

My goal is to remain off meds with being sober. My ultimate goal is the to be rid of this diagnoses of soft bipolar. That's why I had to ask if this was normal. Thanks all

[lil_better_everyday]

I disagree with just about everything 12-step. SMART is almost the complete opposite approach. If it gets too tough alone check em out.

Good luck friend!

[Polibeth]

Yes! When I first got sober in 2003 (I did have a relapse in 2012), but anyway, I was what I like to call "overly productive" and I was up, up, up. Eventually I came back down to the real world. I hope you find what works for you as far as support. I use the 12 steps but I realize it's not for everyone.

[ChaoticSymphony]

I'm at a point that I don't want to go back to booze so that's not an issue atm. It's the ups and downs that have me frazzled. For no apparent reason I just switch. Dancing in the car screaming songs out and loving life to crying uncontrollably about nothing. And today there were no ups just tired and sullen all day.

[tipper1492]

Just guessing, hear on Dr. Phil your brain will have to go through changes the alcohol caused, and that's not going to happen right away. You need a doctor, maybe psychiatrist, to help you through all this. The more you fall off the wagon, I think the harder it will be to stop again. I know of a number of people who drank themselves to death. It's an ugly, sad way to go out. They just could not stop, and the damage was slow, but a sure thing.