Mental Health / Addiction Recovery

[bikewench]

There is a 12 Step Program available for those with a dual diagnosis.

http://draonline.org/index.html

Those that stop using a substance sometimes find that their problems do not disappear.

This can address that.

many thanks to Meli for the link.

[waterface]

Personally i feel that is true bikewench, i know i was like i am now as a kid, i was alone in my 20's & now am again & i know how i was brought up was the problem.
Years of Speed, Dope addiction didn't help, but i do know my problem with codependency, not sex, just a partner to share life with.
Ok, i stop drinking, but my thoughts about life are the same as when i was 13-14.
Being a situation of substance abuse for so long will take the same time in regaining sanity.
Gaz

[KCGOT]

This could definetly work for every Alchohalic. What Alcohalic dose not have some type of emotional problem. I think that this could definetly be a great addition.

I have delt with alot of Alchoholics and am married to one now. She is in the beginning stages of recovery, in rehab. The issue I have now is we had problems with issues before she even went to the bottle so often. we always had issues here and there with alchohal but not like the last few years.

She has grown to hate herself so much that she drinks to feel better about it but in the mean time prescribes for more pain and hate for herself.

not too sure what if any normal progression toward alchcohalism there is but she was purley emotional.

now she is getting out of rehab in a week and still shows sighns of being an emotional basket case. She just called me today to tell me to pick her up because no one is listening and she is not learning anything.

I moved out of state to get away from her and save my kids from the drama. Now she came to a local rehab but how do I know it is working?

I wish there was more of this dual diagnosis material associated with where she is at. They just keep prescribing her medication.

So sad

[Zencat]

DRA has saved my life. I tried NA/AA but when I shared that I used mood elevators and other psych drugs all I got was grief and dangerous advice. The idea that the DRA 12 steps are open to interpretation and can be personalized to fit “my” recovery needs, brilliant! The forward thinking founder of DRA realized the value adjusting the traditional 12 steps to meet the needs of people like myself. I was a former cult member and have difficulty with certain concepts of the 12 steps. Now I can work the steps just like every else and not feel like an outsider. Thank the lucky stars for DRA.

Zencat

[carolyn77]

I have been away from meetings for 2 years and I didn't know that there was any such thing as dual diagnosis meetings. Maybe that's why I felt like I didn't quite belong. For the first five years of being sober I was happy. I quit going and started back, I did that a few times. Drugs is what brought me in the program. In 1997, I was diagnosed as bipolar and were told that drugs and alcohol is one the symptoms I'm going to have to check it out. I don't think that they have any meetings where I live.

[IO Storm]

This is just what I need....


Thanks Bikewench!

Recovering alkie/addict/bipolar Type I here.

I am in tears..I did not know such a program existed.

My own BF...staunch NA..believes I am dependent on my

bipolar stabilizing meds in a harmful way and I would be better

if I could stay clean and sober the "old fashioned way"...

by just relying on Higher Power and the group. I know he just does

not understand..There are stigma's..and then there are stigma's.

Again, thanks.

Love,

:

IO

[fuster]

Thanks for that link, Meli/Bikewench. I will check that out. Great resource. Where I live there are some AA meetings that support Co-Occurring Disorders. I attend one such meeting that is a gender specific meeting (men only).

I had some problems getting it started due to some software conflicts with IE (apparently some un-verified sources for software the site wanted to install on my computer).

[drainedwife]

my husband is an addict and may suffer from a mental illness, although it hasnt been diagnosed yet..

we are trying to find an evaluator to evaluate him and im just having troubel finding someone...

has anyone gone for a psych eval. and can guide me to what i need to look for?
there has been domestic violence and it seems like some mood swings...i dont htin kit is all caused by the drugs... i have been told that DV is a seperate issue altogether than substance abuse....

i have gotten a restraining order against my husband and now FM restraints....under the restraints he has agreed to have an eval...i am trying to find the best person/psychiatrist to do so...

how do i go about a search for this ???


thanks

[Lilya]

This is a wonderful link, Bikewench. Thank you so much. I didn´t know there was a 12 step programme for duals.

I will check if there are meetings in my country and if not, start a support group in my area.

Drainedwife, I wish you courage to find the proper resources for your husband and yourself. I am not American, I´m from Europe, so I cannot give you any practical advice. However, having been married once to a mentally ill and addictive husband, please don´t forget to look after yourself.

I´m sending you courage from across the ocean.

Love and light,

[bugadigabap111]

Thanks ALL for the helpful info-
NOW I beleive there's something I can work with..

[gr8tful4life]

I can't thank you enough, bikewench. I have spent 90% of the last 3 months in bed, letting my depression cycle downward blaming myslef for everything...I am feeling a little hope now. Thank you.

[Africa Life]

Thank you.

It is a topic that is certainly of interest to me. My mental health issues are actually a consequence of my using. I looked at the DRA sight but it just cant be reached here where I am.

I think that it is great to see that there are others out there with similar issues.