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Old 08-06-2007, 05:50 PM   #3 (permalink)
historyteach
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 9,303
Hi, Jojo;

Welcome to our community!
You will find that it's not unusual for addicts to be "dual diagnosed." That means, they have both the addiction to deal with and the mental health issue. My son is bipolar and a heroin addict. I understand how difficult it can be. But, it's important that you work on both issues with your doctor together. Statistics show that if the people with dual diagnoses work only on one issue, there's a very high rate of relapse.

One helpful hint, if I may share, is the HALT acronym. It stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely and Tired. And what it means is if you are feeling any of these physical or emotional feelings, you may have a craving to use your substance of choice. Using that HALT acronym, we are reminded to take care of the actual problem, and not use to cover up those emotions and feelings. Doing so helps us to stay clean.

Are you going to any meetings to help you stay clean? We have the N/A forum and the substance abuse forum here on SR that you may find very helpful. There's also the Secular Forum too, if you are agnostic or atheist, or even if you decide, (as I did), to work your program in a secular manner.
Also, take a look on shutterbug's thread here on her bipolar issues. I think you will find it helpful.
Are you on any medications for your bipolar?

I know it's always important for my welbeing to take care of myself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I hope you do the same. Why not tell us what you're doing to help yourself, and let us get to know you a bit?

I look forward to getting to know you as we both grow in our recovery.

Shalom!
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