I think I should tell a bit about myself...besides the fact that I am Bipolar and am an alcoholic.
I am 31 years old and was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder when I was in the Air Force at the age of 24.
I have a 2 year old son who challenges me with his stubbornness that he gets from me and his dad.
I recently started attending AA meetings and am discouraged due to the fact that my religious belief has been agnostic for the past several years.
I am currently on medications that help stabilize my disorder, but have struggled with drinking my entire adult life.
I started drinking when I was 17 years old. I believe I was on the manic side most of my life and self medicated with alcohol throughout my early 20s. When I went into the Air Force I did not drink of course because I was in basic training and then tech school. During tech school I had a major manic episode and was hospitalized and eventually discharged.
Once out of the Air Force I stopped taking the medication they put me on and did not follow up with treatment. I drank excessively and eventually was in such a depressive state that I attempted suicide. I almost died. Lets just say that 2004 was one of the years I would like to completely eliminate from my memories.
Thanks for reading this and I would love to hear anyone else's comments and stories!
It is generally believed that many of those with bipolar disorder also struggle with alcoholism or substance abuse. Researchers, as well as many of those caught in the cycle of addiction, believe the use of these substances is an attempt to alleviate symptoms or to "self-medicate."
I'm sorry to hear you've had such a hard time of it. I can clearly relate. I'm also sorry that AA is difficult, but I want to tell you you're not alone in that regard either. I have a very odd sense of spirituality and border on being an Atheist. Depending on where you are in the world can make all the difference in how the meetings are run. I've heard it said, "Take what works and leave the rest." I hope you can find something that works for you to help you with your drinking problem whether in AA or not.
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