Are you dual diagnosis?

[Kablume]

I was just kind of wondering as I came here with BP and drinking. I was diagnosed BP in 1996 but have been drinking on and off since I was 14.

I accomplished 4 years of sobriety in AA and went back out for 9 years. My drinking never got out of "control" per se but I did do some binge drinking.

I finally said enough as I knew it was affecting my meds and therefore me. That brings me to 2/21/09 and SR.

For my BP, I have taken DBT several times and currently am in therapy.

I am not in AA and not sure if I will be going back. Was wondering how some of you that may have dual diagnosis are handling your diseases.

Anything that has particularly helped?

[Freedom1990]

I was diagnosed with clinical depression back in 1987 when I was a little over a year sober, but refused to take any meds at that time despite the recommendation because I was pregnant at the time.

I relapsed after 4 years, and then I was sober about 3 years when I finally accepted it wasn't working without medication, despite being very active in AA.

I've been in therapy off and on over the years, started up again in late 2007 when the depression hit hard again. I've also remained very active in AA over the past 18+ years.

[jurneyman]

After many failed attempts at trying to stay sober I joined AA and NA in 1988, after 3 years
of misery and a suicide attempt I admitted myself into a Veterans Hospital and was diagnosed with depression. I have been in and out of treatment for the last 18 years. Last year I was hit with a major episode combination of anxiety and depression, and that is when I found and joined SR. It started to make some sense of what was happening to me thanks to the help of the contributors of the mental health and the Spirituality forums, and after a few try's a good Pdoc who understood both Alcoholism and Mental Health.

It has been a slow process, with many try's at different meds. and combination's of meds. It sometimes becomes very frustrating with all the trials to find something that works for everything, but there has been progress, It just seems like it isn't helping fast enough, but I am extremely thankful and grateful that I am no longer suffering in the mental anguish that I was existing in. before I found the help I needed.

A couple weeks ago I had another major recurrence of anxiety that confused me and exaggerated even more a difficult situation that I had to use every bit of both prayer and willpower I could muster up to accomplish. The problem was with a medication, and I want to bring attention to it in another thread.

[Bamboozle]

Depression, anxiety, and alcoholism.

I'm doing therapy right now and I rely heavily on SR.

[nandm]

I got sober only to find out how insane I really am.... At 1 year sober I was diagnosed with depression which finally was diagnosed as bipolar, PTSD, and chronic anxiety.

The good thing is with the diagnosis the mental health issues can be treated and managed for the most part which in turn helps me maintain my sobriety.

I have often wondered which came first the alcoholism or the mental illness'. But it really doesn't matter I guess since I am not willing to take the chance of drinking again only to find out that the alcoholism was not just a way of self medicating my mental illness'.

[Zencat]

Are you dual diagnosis?

Yep sure am. I am challenged with an addiction disorder, PTSD, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and a personality disorder (NOS).

My primary treatment is occurring at the behavioral health clinic with a couple of dual diagnosis groups there. In addition to that I utilize recovery tools from SMART Recovery, participate here at SR and attend DRA and AA once a week.

As of the first part of 2005 I've maintained my commitment to duel diagnosis treatment. I've had some up and down times but remained in treatment. Overall my quality of life has improved thanks to my perseverance, patience and commitment to remain in treatment no matter what.

[Kablume]

Thanks to all of you that posted. You have really helped me.