anxious but excited
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 15
anxious but excited
Hi everyone. I've just recently made the decision to become sober. I'm still young (I'll be 23 next Friday) but the way I've been drinking the past few years has demolished my life. So I've decided that I no longer want to be an addict. The hardest part for me is that because of my drinking and my mental disorder(I'm bipolar), the two combined have ruined every friendship I've made. I'm glad to have found this site as a means to talk with people in the same spot as me and hopefully get some encouragement/encourage someone in the same spot. I'm so excited to start over but I'm a little nervous of how this'll go. I'm so scared of failing and being stuck in this terrible spot forever.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 15
Thanks. Up until recently I always used my age as an excuse for my drinking, playing it off like it was just partying like a lot of people my age. Even when things started falling apart, I blamed the meds for not working properly. Now I can finally admit that its not necessarily the fault of the medication, but the alcohol interfering. I just hope I'm strong enough to stay sober.
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,504
Hi and Welcome,
I'm glad you have made such a positive decision.
It's always scary to take the first step, but know that you can do this. We do understand, and you'll find lots of support and friendship here.
I'm glad you have made such a positive decision.
It's always scary to take the first step, but know that you can do this. We do understand, and you'll find lots of support and friendship here.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Welcome...
I am guessing....but I think 1/3 of my AA group is dealing with both alcholism andBi Polar
they take various meds for their Bi Polar...and work the AA Steps for their alcoholism.
Glad you are here with us...
.
I am guessing....but I think 1/3 of my AA group is dealing with both alcholism andBi Polar
they take various meds for their Bi Polar...and work the AA Steps for their alcoholism.
Glad you are here with us...
.
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,778
Welcome to the family.
It isn't always easy to stop drinking but the rewards of living sober and worth the effort. It's good you decided to get sober so young - when you're my age (60) you won't have regrets about drinking your life away.
It isn't always easy to stop drinking but the rewards of living sober and worth the effort. It's good you decided to get sober so young - when you're my age (60) you won't have regrets about drinking your life away.
I'm here to learn!
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: I'm on it!
Posts: 2,038
Welcome to SR! Bipolar and Alcoholism is brutal and a terrible combo. I'm glad you're ready to get off the merry-go-round.
Deciding to get sober is fine, but more important is the action you take after making that decision. Do you have any plans yet?
Deciding to get sober is fine, but more important is the action you take after making that decision. Do you have any plans yet?
Came to Believe
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Montgomery AL
Posts: 507
Welcome to SR! I've known quite a few alcoholics who were also bipolar and I know it's gotta be tough to deal with. I'm glad you're here and I hope you find what you're looking for. You've made a great decision in getting sober.
--Fenris.
--Fenris.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 15
eJosh, as of now I'm seeing an addiction counselor(court ordered, I recently got a DUI) and working with her is helping a lot. I'm also seeing a therapist to get the bipolar aspect under control. Once I reach a stable spot, I'm really looking into getting back to school to keep me busy and hopefully get a good career going. I'm gonna stick with the therapist for as long as needed to help with both aspects. I'm trying to build a support system back up, and I'm hoping that the fact that I'm getting sober will help to rebuild anything I've ruined.
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,564
minorthreat - I love your attitude. Instead of being sad about having to stop, you're enthused. I wish I'd felt that way, but I kept insisting it was fun well into my 50's. My life would have turned out so different if I'd had the strength to stop.
Be proud of the decision you've made. You'll never have to go through the hell so many of us have. Keep talking to us, and let us know how it's going.
Be proud of the decision you've made. You'll never have to go through the hell so many of us have. Keep talking to us, and let us know how it's going.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Bridgeport, CT
Posts: 14
Welcome, and congratulations on your decision to join us in recovery. I too have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and am relatively young (27 years old). Speaking personally, I wish I could have made the decision you are making now when I was your age.
I've found that since I stopped using, all of my bipolar symptoms have disappeared. What has also helped immensely is regular exercise and eating whole, natural foods. I'm by no means recommending that you cease medication, but I think you will find that some bipolar symptoms were magnified by your use (i.e. the highs were higher and the lows much lower), and will therefore be more manageable now.
Best of luck to you.
I've found that since I stopped using, all of my bipolar symptoms have disappeared. What has also helped immensely is regular exercise and eating whole, natural foods. I'm by no means recommending that you cease medication, but I think you will find that some bipolar symptoms were magnified by your use (i.e. the highs were higher and the lows much lower), and will therefore be more manageable now.
Best of luck to you.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 15
feralheart, thanks, I'm definitely gonna have to check that out! I think what took me so long to quit was in the punk scene here, everything is pretty much centered around drinking. It's tough. And climbingback, I've also noticed that my alcohol use directly affected the severity of my symptoms, so I'm looking forward to seeing how I feel once I stop.
SR Fan
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 7,910
Welcome minorthreat!
Congratulations on making a great decision. You're going to love the mornings, and feeling really good about yourself again - I know I did.
Keep reading/posting - it really helps!
Congratulations on making a great decision. You're going to love the mornings, and feeling really good about yourself again - I know I did.
Keep reading/posting - it really helps!
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 24
welcome, good to see you make the right decision...its tough and everyone is different so who is to know what your going to experience but remember what the goal is and that is sobriety....keep your eye on the money and dont let anything stop you. im on the same boat you are and as bad as the withdrawal symptoms could be, the thought of you doing the right thing makes you feel good....
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