I usually can be found on the addiction/recovery board so, please excuse me for my interference. I need some suggestions. My son has been dating a woman that was diagnosed with Bi-polar. He is 23, she is 36. She refuses to take any medication, and my son recently found out she is addicted to Cocaine. He is heart broken as he found that she was using drugs and being sexually promiscuis???(not a good speller). She has been lieing to him about alot of stuff and he doesn't know if he should stay with her. I would like someone to help me understand the illness of Bi-polar so, I can give him the right suggestions and advice. He seems to want to talk to me alot about this as, he cares for her very much. I like her but, I think that she sometimes wants to pull my son into her drama, as she has a difficult time taking responsibility for her actions, which could be a number of issues. Any suggestions......

there are several websites that explain bipolar illness, most you can find using google and looking for bipolar illness, most of them list the signs and symptoms. Although I can tell you that what you have so far explained fits the symptoms. sleeping around, is a big one, so is addiction to other things called comorbid, like drug addiction. all of this could be helped by bipolar meds. I wish you luck and if your son really loves her. getting her to the doctor would be the first thing to do
I wish you luck
Jenn

Thanks for your replies. She was diagnosed at 16, she refuses to take meds as she doesn't like the side effects. I have told him the exact things that you guys have posted to me. I know that if she refuses to take her meds she will continue with this behaviour. I myself have talked to her and she says she doesn't like the way the meds make her feel. She is really hard to talk to as she is extremely defensive. I am wondering if she is not sicker than she lets on as, I have seen other behaviours in her that I found odd. She talks impulsively, like if she is thinking something she blurts it out, and she doesn't realize she has said it, and it is usually rude. She is like two complete different people. Is this a symptom of the illness. I guess my best bet is too share with my son what I have heard and then step out of it.

The impulsive speech, and also rapid speech, are symptoms of the mania part of Bipolar Disorder.
I have type I Bipolar disorder. That means that if left untreated I would have probably two severe depressions and 1 out of control manic period a year. There are lesser forms of Bipolar disorder, also.
What I want to say I say as a person who HAS Bipolar Disorder.
No one (who is not legally bound to) should stay with a person who has Bipolar Disorder who is refusing Rx treatment. Or is on illegal drugs.
Period.