[Beautiful*Mess]

This is a really hard topic for me to discuss but I've realized I need to talk about it.

What is your opinion on the link between Bipolar Disorder and Drug Addiction?

Do you believe that it is harder for people to kick drug addictions when they are also Bipolar?

[StressCadet]

I think there is a higher occurrence of drug and alcohol addiction among bipolar people as opposed to the general population. I'm not sure of the exact reasons, but I would think it might start as self-medicating, and go downhill from there. I really don't know if it would be harder to kick those habits, but I wouldn't be surprised.

[gina_re]

I was totally self-medicating before being diagnosed and given meds. My drug of choice was alcohol. I would come home every day and just drink myself into oblivion...
I think I did it because I couldn't handle the stress of my job, plus I had so many thoughts in my head, it helped to calm them down so I could relax.

[CopperStar]

Not really considered a hard drug by any means, but I was more or less psychologically addicted to marijuana for a few years back in the day. It took all the madness in my head and put a positive spin on it, like it was suddenly recreational and spiritual at the same time. Felt a lot better than just being mentally ill.

[Ripose]

I too self-medicated with alcohol even after I was first given meds. The meds did not really help but I knew my old friend alcohol would get me through another rough patch. Now I am on meds the work far better and I only drink about once a year or less.

[Christopher1990]

http://www.dualdiagnosis.org/mental-...he-connection/

Over 40% of addicts are mentally ill 40% of Smokers are mentally ill.
I heard that up to 80% of schitzafrenics smoke.

I've tried almost everything besides heroin. Was never really addicted to anything. Was in to cocaine for a couple months back when I was 19.

My drug of choice has been marijuana. I know most people don't see this as a drug. But, for me, being bipolar it has made symptoms worse at times. I've been smoking on an off since about 16. Since I've started smoking weed, I have had more episodes of mania.
I've always had this idea that I could move to Cali and get a medicinal card. And I still love it, but I need to stay away from it for now. I think it can help people with bipolar, but you never know what your getting if it's not legal, and different strains, can trigger mania. Some might help calm. More research needs to be done in this area.

I made a decision to quit and haven't smoked in about 5 months. I'll chose stability over a short lived high.

Most people I've met with mental illness, have dual diagnosis. Almost all are addicted to something.

More then drugs, I have struggled with a gambling addiction. Led to a manic episode a couple years back, after winning about $1500. I have also lost more, which leads to depression for me.

It's understandable that we would want to escape our f&-*** up situations. We want to feel something. Feel alive, or feel numb.

The truth is that we need to stay away from alcohol and drugs. It almost always makes symptoms worse, induces an episode.

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[Christopher1990]

Originally Posted by CopperStar

Not really considered a hard drug by any means, but I was more or less psychologically addicted to marijuana for a few years back in the day. It took all the madness in my head and put a positive spin on it, like it was suddenly recreational and spiritual at the same time. Felt a lot better than just being mentally ill.

Cooper, I can relate. I wouldn't say I was ever addicted to it. But, I enjoyed it. I would be smoking morning, noon, afternoon, at night, before sleep. Even at work. It would be all good for a couple months, and then all the sudden you become dependent on it and realize that your hypomanic.

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[Christopher1990]

I should also mention when I went off meds I was selfmedicating with alcohol for sleep.

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[raspberrytorte]

I self-medicated with alcohol for a few years until I went on medication. Now... if only I could quit smoking. Sigh.

[Hashi/bipolar mom]

I'm an alcoholic but didn't become one until about 10 years ago due to Gastric Bypass. However, I was addicted to food before that! I self medicated myself by eating, and then when I couldn't do that, I switched to alcohol. It has caused me MAJOR problems!

[yanks7]

Like a lot of people have said I think self medication is a big one at least for me. I find when I am medicated I don't have a desire to drink as much I still do, but not to the extent I used to. I have read that upwards of 70% of people with bipolar also have addiction issues. It does make sense if you have no idea what is going on with you, that you would search out relief in any form of you could. Feeling a little up? Well alcohol should knock you down a bit. Feeling a little down? Well alcohol should numb that for awhile. Feeling a little up and like it? Well cocaine should help keep you there. It has and will continue to be something I struggle with and I agree with Christopher1990, in the short term it helps maybe, but long term it just leads to more problems.

I love this joke by Louis C.K. he talks about how he never does drugs, never, and I mean never. So that when he does they are fun. Otherwise drugs just become another pain in the *** in your life and he doesn't want that he wants his drugs to be fun.

Humorous, simple, and incredibly difficult to do!

[loophole]

Was an extremely heavy pot smoker for 10 years.. Nearly high all the time.... Wake and bake. Smoke through the day. Even on breaks at work. All I knew was being high. In all honesty I quit getting "stoned" after the first 5'years. After that I only took a few hits just enough to stay high... I never caused problems.. Stayed to myself. Was a good worker with several promotions. I only quit after we had our first child.. Marihuana kept me more stable then any med. better yet I still felt normal. It wasn't until quitting weed that the bp really showed through.. If they could legalize marihuana and put in a pill I would go back in a heartbeat

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I live in a legal state and I got some candy from a friend that was made with indica strain. It is actually supposed to calm mania. I read that somewhere.

I don't know about it calming but it does have a good effect on my MS symptoms and hasn't caused mania.

Also am not an addict or alcoholic. I can be a heavy drinker socially, but I limit it to a few times a month at the most.

[Sesiley]

I'm actually a substance abuse clinician! Addiction may happen as a self-medicate due to having bipolar and it's symptoms.

Drug addiction is a brain disease...and everyone takes their recovery different, everyone has different stories, backgrounds....also, consequences play a huge role on wanting to get help. So, I don't think it's any difficult for a person with Bipolar than it is just plain addiction.

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[SillyKitty]

I self medicated. Alcohol, drugs (doc meth), sex, thrills, shopping...I was bad off in my late teens-early 20s. My husband got me clean ish. Stopped doing drugs at least. I've been through dual diagnosis programs twice and have done extensive therapy with one of their therapists one year, too. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a practice of his own.

On meds, I still drank. I finally quit (at34) in April. I think it's harder for me to stay off. I remember how nice it was to have a quiet head.