mentaladdict

Overcoming addiction and mental illness.

Posted on 07/30/08, 04:00 pm

Hello to you all.
I am a recovering addict and have been clean and sober for over 6 months now.
I found very hard trying to keep control of my addiction and my mental illnes that I had to surrender and tell my family.
I have been to several inpatient rehabs and relapsed in the past.
I used to live by miself and had to move with my folks.
Have to avoid being alone for extended periods because then my sick mind starts to make me feel cravings and the thoughts of using become an obsession.
I have been diagnosed Bi Polar by some and Schyzoprenic by others.
But all I can say is that I am having a tough time with a depressive stage, hope it goes away soon, otherwise I'll have to be hospitalized and I do not want that.
Thanks for reading my post.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

• Reply #1 07/30/08  6:13pm
  
  angie08
  Hi there,
  I am a recovering addict, too. I used to do hard drugs (coke, speed, heroin) and now I don't.
  
  I'm bipolar, too, and psychotic some of the time.
  
  ain't life grand! Well, I'm really glad this group exists.
  
  Advice - shucks. What helped me was getting really involved with writing, and writing a memoir of that period. That really helped to process the issues and get them out of my system.
  
  Best of luck to you, it's long road.
• Reply #2 07/30/08  7:44pm
  
  mentaladdict
  Thank you Angie.
  I am starting with a journal.
  And when possible, talking. The more I talk about it, the asier it gets.
• Reply #3 07/30/08  8:47pm
  
  angie08
  talking, yes, talking helps a lot.
• Reply #4 10/12/08  4:21am
  
  4x4kat
  I agree writing in a journal,helps me as well Im also an addict/alcoholic ADHD /BP.It helps me when I look back thru it to see if there is a patern in my moods etc. It helps me to let my therapist know where I am at. I am on meds I do AA and NA meetings, when I need it along with this online daily strengths. My only problem with writing is I sometimes forget or get sidetracked or I forget where I put my journal, thanks to the ADHD for that lol! good luck ad remember ur not alone.
  
• Reply #5 10/13/08  1:20pm
  
  Aries35ram
  Hi,
  I am a recovering addict/alcoholic. I used to use cocaine, alcohol, prescription drugs)...dx bipolar 2 after remaining sober 9 months. It was hell without meds let me tell you. I relied upon though: NA meetings, got involved in the program. It took me 18 months to start enjoying the hobbies I once did 15 years ago. Exercising, reading, writing,etc. I work the 12 steps, got a sponsor, support group, a higher power. Like Angie said: Its a long hard road, but its worth it and you have to goto any length to stay sober. you got to change the people, places and things. Don't lose hope. Sometimes things have to turn worse to get better if that makes sense. Be patient with the meds too. sometimes it takes awhile to find right combo....Hang in there...These are all the things that helped me....

This is where people can share who have an addiction and also a mental illness...