Yes, it's very common or so I've read.

Self medicate...exactly the phrase I was looking for. I've only been dx'ed bipolar for 6 months; I've drank and done drugs for years.

It is very common, known as self medicating. You can become alcoholic by continued use. I have found anti axiety meds have helped me tremendously. Pot I don't use but the people I know who smoke it are addicted.

Yes that would be called self medicating.
You are young and if you follow a med plan you have a good chance at a somewhat normal life.
Tell your pdoc exactly what you do so he can help you .
You want the best tratment possible and that starts with being honest.
Matt

Ditto lindel. Honey, this disorder is hard to live with whether you know you have it or not. Self medicating is very prevelent amoung people with bipolar disorder. If you are taking meds for your disorder, illegal drugs and alcohol will seriously interfer with your meds and they wont be as effective. Try to stop if you can or at least cut down. It will be crucial in your journey to balance and wellness. Hugs

I only know 2 other bipolars personally and all 3 of us have used drugs and alcohol. I now take a pill form of my bottle of beer for my anxiety lol. Heck, at least I don't black out anymore.

Probably both, using does not mean you are an addict, unless you start to use hard drugs. Normal people don't start using hard drugs, they build up to it....even if my first drug wasn't pot but was psyocibin, then acid, then finally pot.

But this information isn't always true either. YOu can be an alcoholic from your first drink and if you are an alcoholic that means you are also an addict. Both mean you have addictive personalities.

BD's commonly use drugs to self medicate the pain they are suffering. I am a living example of self medicating myself to full blown addiction.

If you weren't confused before then I am sure you are confused now.

I read somewhere that something like 60% of BPs abuse some sort of substance (myself included although I'm sober now). It really messes with your meds and makes it hard to treat you.

yeah, I heard that statistic too.

I self-medicated with drugs and alcohol before I was diagnosed with bipolar. Now I medicate with Lamictal, Abilify and Klonopin.

Girl you just said the magic word POT UGH I want some so bad...I also drink some but do not get drunk (just get blazing headaches). Just try to keep the drinking to a minimum now on the pot tip I guess the same thing. I guess it is common - sorry!!

Your psychiatrist will call it a "dual diagnosis". What that means is: He can't treat one of your problems (BP)... until he cures the other problem! (Drinking.Smoking)
Ummm... make up your mind, sweetheart!
It's one, or, the other.
If you continue to self-medicate... you won't be stabilized. Your meds won't work. Alcohol is a depressant. Makes the "gremlins" go away... but, fucks up your system, the next day.
Sorry for the bluntness... but, that's the way it is! You have a choice to make!
I hope you choose the right one.

Drugs and alcohol will only make your depression worse. If you want to make it worse , go ahead its your life. I choose to not be depressed.

Going back to my teens, I was heavy into the self-medicating and reckless behavior. On occasion I do relapse, but much less now that I have medical cocktail that has my symptoms pretty much under control, still all the bp thingees just not as severe or intense as they were before meds.

Thank you all for the information.

I don't drink/do drugs often. This past 2 weeks has been the 1st time I've been off of my medication and I had a manic episode. That's where the alcohol/pot came in. :( I've stopped before, and I can do it again!