Drinking and Bipolar

I have been drinking every single day for the past year and a half, onset by PTSD, but definitely has been made worse by bipolar. Anytime I am hypomanic, I feel so amazing and I just want to elevate that feeling. Anytime I'm depressed I get really negative and stuck on thinking about the things that happened, and so I drink so I don't feel so suicidal. I really want to stop, but I feel like I can't face reality sober. What have others done that has been successful? I've tried cutting down and stopping, but then if I even have a glass at a social event, I slip right back into things.

I have read that you have a diagnosis, but do you have meds? Also do you have a psychologist or psychiatrist? Psychiatrists are great for prescriptions, but from what I've come to understand don't really help as much with coping.

I have been dx'ed with bipolar I, complex ptsd, and have been an alcoholic (sober since 2014)

I've been there with craving hypo-manic/manic states. Problem is the crash will always come after and it will hit hard.

If you can find someone to help keep you sober and safe (I realize that may be impossible. If it is though please do so. Getting clean on your own is hard enough without craving hypo-mania. See about getting a psychologist if you haven't already. Talk to them about this. I see a cognitive behavioral psychologist. I'm sure they can help with getting you to your next step.

*Hugs

Alcohol for me is ok in moderation. I try to stick to wine/beer over liquor. I do drink everyday and alcoholism runs in my family, but I never binge drink since college. I went a week without alcohol and was okay (very hungry and energetic). Some people need to completely give it up if they can't control themselves from binge drinking. Especially when you're mixing in psych meds. I don't even feel good (nauseous) after 3-4 drinks so that helps stop me.

What happens when you drink?

Do you have an off switch or does 1 drink trigger cravings for more? DO you have blackouts? Do you go batshit crazy or do stay in control?

I drank for 15 years very heavy to self treat my condition. Two or three fifths a day for years. You have to want quit drinking. Everybody's bottom will be different. For me it had gone to the point where I did not want to be on the streets. That's where it left me. Homeless on the streets. What have I done since quitting. I take my medications as prescribed. Do they help sure. Do they work as good as alcohol or drugs absolutely not. But the consequences with the later or not worth it to me anymore. Nobody will tell you to quit. You have to realize whether or not it is worth it to you. To me I had no choice. I would have either been in jail dead or on the streets permanently. But everyone's different.

Alcohol is really bad if you are trying to cope. I would sometimes binge it's usually very on and off. Best thing is to avoid drink in too much. Maybe going to the gym can help you? Some routines can help cope with the symptoms of bipolar and ptsd.

It might seem extreme but I would advise not to drink at all. If you have a hard time giving up you might need professional help.

For one thing alcohol doesn't mix well with medication for bipolar disorder.

Alcohol drunk during an episode can make the vonsequences of that episode worse. Impaired judgement from alcohol plus mania can lead to disaster. And drinking alone and depressed can lead to severe alcohol poisoning.

With bipolar disorder it can be hard to know how much alcohol is enough. You may start with the best of intentions but before long you are totally intoxicated.

Even stay off it during euthymic periods. Mainly because you don't know for sure you are euthymic.

It's about not putting yourself in that situation.

A blanket ban is the simplest way to protect yourself and others.

Speaking from experience.

I Posted about this in the alcohol addiction forum. My post is called hypomania/mania with an alcoholic face. Abilify maintena injections ended 20 years of hell for me.

Bipolar and alcohol sucks.

Just spent hours getting drunk.. walked to kitchen and realized, I'm not actually drunk. Or my blood is very much carrying alcohol, it just isn't having much of effect in my brain anymore, because apparently I caught the moment my mood swing went to hypo.. I've noticed the day-after effects various times before; if I'm feeling high on the wave, there's little to no hangover - pretty much drink all evening, crash to sleep and wake up without any ill effects. Bottom of wave makes you feel like you should sleep few days anyways, so hangover is kinda hard to tell..

And this second wind of soberness seems to last as long as I'm relatively active. As in, if I just sit down on pc in ~15 mins I feel drowsy and kinda drunkish sluggishness - stand up, walk around a bit and it's all gone again..

Now, I'm aware next thing is going to sound stupid as f', but.. I paid for that alcohol. A lot. And now the pleasent feeling of being one with the mundane world of nothingness is gone. Bloody f'ing hell.

I have Bipolar II and I'm a year and a half sober. I used New Year's Day as the catalyst for quitting drinking and it stuck... after many, many failed attempts previously. My life revolved around drinking and I didn't realize it at the time but it swallowed up my life. I've ruined my reputation at my job, where I was once looked at as a leader. I drank because I was happy, I drank because I was sad, angry, disappointed, whatever. It didn't matter. I drank because it was Tuesday... whatever.

My behavior when I was drinking made everything worse. I was barely functioning whenever I did finally show up for work, which worsened my depression and feelings of alienation, which increased my feelings of isolation and jealousy and envy and anger. I was bitter, lost and alone.

Things are far from perfect now but they are definitely better.