
God bless anyone who is mentally ill or living with anyone who is mentally ill. It IS a heavy load to bear. Your Mother has free will, and your right, if she chooses to take her meds, that's great, but a lot of mentally ill won't take their meds or stop drinking or drugging. I am divorced because my ex choose to not take his meds, or go to therapy, or stop drinking and drugging. The meds are a waste of time anyway, if you mix them with alcohol, and other drugs.
You are 19, and so you are capable of getting your own place. You can choose to stay away from her, when she is "manic", and then when she is ok, enjoy that time with her that you can. The system won't lock her up unless she is a "threat to herself or someone else". Don't cut yourself off completely, because when she dies you will regret it. Treat it like she has "cancer". Enjoy the times she is in remission, and accept the times that she is not. Just keep you safe! Get you a support group!
God loves you and I do too, Sally B. DOS:1/1/87