SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information - View Single Post - Does mental health issues threaten sobriety

Michele2162001 · 01-08-2005, 09:51 AM

Hi there June,

I agree whole heartedly with some of the above advice. I've been sober almost four years and when I hit three I totally lost my sanity. I probably should've been diagnosed bi-polar when I was first committed at 13 but as it was I self-medicated until I was 23. Then after being sober for a little while I started going crazy again. I thought God was sending me messages through the radio, I saw "signs" only for me everywhere, you know the deal. Did I want to drink? Absolutely. But more than that, really the only reason I wanted to drink, was to kill myself. That has always been the goal in my life. Thank God my husband and family intervened and I went on medication. Now, almost a year later, I feel like a brand new person. Sober AND Sane. It is a nice feeling. You can bet your a$$ that mental illness and recovery are related.

For me, I had to be sober first. I know that may sound backwards to some people but as long as I was drinking and using there was no point in therapy or medications or any of that stuff because all I wanted to do was get high. I lied to everyone including my therapist. I only took meds if I remembered or I thought it would help my buzz. For me, sobriety had to come first. Once I had a little time under my belt I was able to go to therapy and be honest for the first time in my life. I went on medication and took them as directed. I went through the side effects with the support of my sponsor, my network and my family. I couldn't have done it without AA.

Around here we have a saying, Anything you put ahead of your sobriety, be prepared to lose along with it. That means EVERYTHING for me must be second. If I'm not sober, I don't have a chance. I don't know if this helped or not but you will be in my thoughts. Remember, you are not alone.

Best wishes, Michele

01-08-2005, 09:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
Michele2162001 Michele2162001 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: High Point NC Posts: 8	Hi there June, I agree whole heartedly with some of the above advice. I've been sober almost four years and when I hit three I totally lost my sanity. I probably should've been diagnosed bi-polar when I was first committed at 13 but as it was I self-medicated until I was 23. Then after being sober for a little while I started going crazy again. I thought God was sending me messages through the radio, I saw "signs" only for me everywhere, you know the deal. Did I want to drink? Absolutely. But more than that, really the only reason I wanted to drink, was to kill myself. That has always been the goal in my life. Thank God my husband and family intervened and I went on medication. Now, almost a year later, I feel like a brand new person. Sober AND Sane. It is a nice feeling. You can bet your a$$ that mental illness and recovery are related. For me, I had to be sober first. I know that may sound backwards to some people but as long as I was drinking and using there was no point in therapy or medications or any of that stuff because all I wanted to do was get high. I lied to everyone including my therapist. I only took meds if I remembered or I thought it would help my buzz. For me, sobriety had to come first. Once I had a little time under my belt I was able to go to therapy and be honest for the first time in my life. I went on medication and took them as directed. I went through the side effects with the support of my sponsor, my network and my family. I couldn't have done it without AA. Around here we have a saying, Anything you put ahead of your sobriety, be prepared to lose along with it. That means EVERYTHING for me must be second. If I'm not sober, I don't have a chance. I don't know if this helped or not but you will be in my thoughts. Remember, you are not alone. Best wishes, Michele