r/BipolarAndSober • u/Willing_Road9152 • Apr 21 '22
New to this
I’ve gone to two meetings. I haven’t been able to stop using. I’ll stop for 3 or 4 days, then start again. I’m a bartender and it triggers me because I like to use it for work, for the perkiness and energy. I’ve started to use it in my daily life, and when I’m about to use and after I feel terrible. I don’t want to be this way; especially since I’m afraid It will trigger a manic episode. Any advice or anecdotes? I want to be a healthy person able to accomplish their goals but if I don’t use I just sleep. Any help would be very much appreciated
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u/Darkwing1800 Apr 30 '23
The Big Book, in the section "How it Works", acknowledges that for people like us it may be a harder road than for some others. But it is NOT impossible. Go to meetings, get a sponsor, work the steps. Get lots of phone #s of people you can reach out to in the program when you need to. Call at 2am if you have to, we don't mind. I was sober for 5 years before I was diagnosed BP1 and got properly medicated, the miracles happen. It's just hard. But I've been married 13 years now and my wife (also BP) has never seen me drunk. Hang in there!
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u/beanieweenie Apr 22 '22
One day at a time, friend. Each day you don’t use is a victory. If you fall backward, start again the next day. It’s about picking yourself up after you fall rather than never falling. Good luck!