Hi, family. I'm a grateful recovering alkie/junkie w/ bipolar & PTSD. Been in the mental health hamster wheel since 1973, but wasn't correctly dx until '95. It should come as no surprise that this was when I came back to the 12-Step fellowships and quit my decades of unsuccessful self-medication. By the Grace of my HPs, competent professional care, and tons of love & support, I've been granted continuous daily reprives since June 11, 1995.
This Tribe is not program or dx specific. All are welcome here, provided s/he is indeed dually diagnosed. Please feel free to share about "problems other than [insert fellowship focus here]" Mental health, or the lack thereof, is hardly an "outside issue." We know all too well the terrifying cycle of insanity that churns when addictions, mental illness, or both are left untreated. We don't need to hide in the closet any more.
This Tribe is not program or dx specific. All are welcome here, provided s/he is indeed dually diagnosed. Please feel free to share about "problems other than [insert fellowship focus here]" Mental health, or the lack thereof, is hardly an "outside issue." We know all too well the terrifying cycle of insanity that churns when addictions, mental illness, or both are left untreated. We don't need to hide in the closet any more.
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Arkansas
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Re: Meet 'N Greet
Sun, April 10, 2005 - 11:05 AMmore or less the same type of "biography" here with me, however I am just a bit older and more worn out from battling addictions and emotions for so long, without the daily reprieve, would not be among us at all. More tommorow..Sunday in the Tropics..hot and humid. -
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Re: Meet 'N Greet
Sun, April 10, 2005 - 3:57 PMA lil about me and my world-
My drug of choice was "more" ( if I could get alcohol and crack cocaine I would use that) and my diagnosis is Schitzo-Effective Disorder-bipolar type, PTSD, OCD, and I am also a Cutter.
I began my journey in Recovery from alcohol and drugs
May 25th 1998. When I went into treatment I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder and major depression, however I like a lot of us was in denial about having a mental disorder. I didn't want to admit that I had one. For six years I was in and out of mental hospitals (32 to be exact) I don't know how I managed to stay sober those six years, but I did it....I continued going to A.A meetings on a daily basis, but I fought taking medication (I was non-med compliant), I would get on meds and once I got to feeling better I would stop taking them and pretty soon would end up back in the hospital. This went on and on.
November 13th 2003 I finally hit an emotional bottom, and I was admitted (once again) into a mental hospital. I was put on medication (the first meds I had a SEVERE reaction to). I spent 4 days in that hospital and was sent home.
It seemed that I wasnt getting any better so I called my doctor and he told me to go back to the hospital so they could adjust my meds. I actually listened to him! I went back in for a medication adjustment and this time they hit the right combination. I have had to go back into the hospital on other time since then for a "med check" Since November 2003 I have found that if I practice Dual Recovery in a healthy and constructive way there is no need for me to do "crazy" things I have done in the past.
I will say that a lot of that has to do with being honest with my doctor. I use to go in to my doctor’s office and when he would ask how I was doing all I would say was "I’m fine".
I finally realized that they can’t properly treat us if we are not honest with them.
Since I have been Sane and Sober a lot of good things have come my way. I can’t even begin to count them. But the biggest one is the DRA program. Today I am grateful to be alive and I am grateful that there is a program where we can share our experience strength and hope with each other!
Well...that’s’ just a little bit about me and my world......
~Mystical~
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Re: Meet 'N Greet
Sun, April 10, 2005 - 8:53 PMi am so glad to meet up with a few familar faces in here. i feel i am coming home. i dont' know where to begin, and i have had a bad day. i too have been on the same wheel fug. i am a bipolar, ADD who has sought out stimulants most of my life for relief from the racing thoughts and disordered thinking. the result was a cocktail of everything else .overtime, that ended in manic runs and more drugs to avoid depression. then the shrinks and therapists and ssris and benzo trains. long story short. after i got busted for the second time on a second manic meth run which one day i hope to share more of how little the system knows or cares about bipolars, i landed in jail. after 4 months, i went on yet another speed run and was headed back to jail. so, checked back in to the local 5150 hotel, and a godsend judge offered me 90 days 90 meetings. last night i took my nine month chip. as a "dually" it's a tough hurdle overcoming stigmas, labels and adhering to boot camp meds. but i do it. and my life is starting to turn around . i want to be of service to others. i have to much to offer. years ago, in another life, long before i had to go to drug classes i was the clinical coordinator of an out patient program in colorado.but this disease and it's consequenses have rendered me a double felony probationer on SSDI who has no rights except the right to remain silent. thanks donald for inviting me on in.
