I know someone I suspect that is bi-polar. He tries to self-medicate with Ritalin, whiskey and drugs, thinking that will make him feel more normal. His DR. recommended anti-depressants and he didn't feel the effect of them immediately, so never really stuck with them. Yet, the Dr. prescribes Ritalin (which I think he snorts). He does about 120 pills within a week and doesn't sleep. He does OK drinking beer (he's legal age) but when he gets whiskey he is nuts! And never usually remembers nothing. I've always thought that he was different from the rest, and I think he has psychological probs. Is it psychological or is it a drug addiction?
I am not sure. I couldn't stay on anti-ds either. I am taking lamictal now, but i love drinking beer. i limit myself to 1 day a week, but for that 1 day i feel as tho I could drink forever. i usually wake up next day and have forgotten like the end of the nite. I sort of feel like i have both - mind probs + addictive personality. but i am no expert. i hope you can help your friend get help- he sounds pretty unstable. good luck! Lori
Self-medication is common among BP. Its long term effects are bleak at best. The wife used this method until it almost killed her. She has been dry now for a bit over 2 years. Thank God. I call alcohol liquid courage. It made her almost sane enough to know how and the minds sit to kill her.
I'm no expert on Ritalin, but feel compelled to "share"...
I believe Ritalin is a STIMULANT. As such, it is prescribed to PRE-PUBESCENTS, to cause their minds to accellerate its inhibitory frontal circuits.
Yes, most of our brains are busilly telling us NOT to go spastic and out of control. So, if you stimulate an inhibitory center, then the desired effect is to lessen the out of control behaviours... Or so the story goes...
BUT ~ once a person has passed puberty - theoretically, those centers have "matured".
IF one takes Ritalin thereafter, then it supposedly acts like Super-Speed.
In the late 1980's, folks in the city were street-dealing their kids' Ritalin for no less than $5 a pill...
I'm VERY concerned as to WHO is prescribing Ritalin to your adult friend.
I agree with Mudhound on this one. I used legal prescrition drugs to self medicate and thought I was sane. I don't remember a lot of things that poeple tell me I did. I was going to a pain clinic and getting the stuff by presripction so I thought I was OK. NOW, I am OK........Do not try this at home........or anywhere else.......Kahlia
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I have seen many things BUT the most terrible thing I have ever seen was the lack of compassion for another.....................Kahlia
I've tried self-medicating myself too. I'm not a big drinker, so instead I turned to marijuana to make myself feel better. It takes away the edge, it also takes away some of the physical pain I'm in (I have endometriosis and also get tension headaches ALOT). But it also effects my moods, making me more depressed in the long run (maybe its even masked some of my more manic episodes?)
I know its wrong, but sometimes I don't know what else to do!
I'm with Mud too! I self medicated with rx drugs and alcohol too. I didn't until I finally couldn't live that way any more. For me that meant getting the drugs and alcohol out of my system completely and then treating the bp. I actually went through a treatment program to accomplish this.
In my case I self medicated myself right into addiction.
Hi,
I'm a mother of a 17 year old son. Oh God, I don't know where to start. He's recently been diagnosed with bi polar disorder. He seems to self medicate with weed, alcohol and in the past meth. He flat out refuses to get on any kind of drug treatment through the psychiatrist. He refuses to live at home in a warm, loving environment. He runs away as soon he becomes remotely uncomfortable. Just when I think things can't get any worse, they somehow do. He blames ME for EVERYTHING. Why, I have no clue. I'm not perfect but I am a great mother. I'm loving as well as someone who disciplines when needed. I've always been Zach's biggest cheerleader and always on his side. But, no matter what it is, I'm to blame some how, some way. My son has been arrested for burgulary already, we tried a specialty boarding school (b/4 we knew he was manic-depressive), He's been in drug rehab, etc. etc.. All in all we've been there to support him always and we've spent thousands and thousands of dollars and we're further behind than ever. Is there someone out there who can relate? HELP! I'm the one needing support now.
Linda
I self medicated since I was 13 with every drug possible along with alcohol. I am 25 now and have only been clean for 6 months. There are many days when I would like to go back. It seems so much easier than dealing with the bipolar.
Re: If a person/bipolar/drinks, drugs.... 
