am I an addict?

[Llama]

I sometimes take meds from my parents (tramadol and xanax). I don't necessarily WANT to do this...I do but I don't. Sometimes it's just so impulisive (I have bipolar disorder so impulse is a problem at times). I feel ok, but it's just like sometimes I want to relax more. And the funny thing is I have klonopin of my own (although that usually just puts me right to sleep...so what's the point?).

I also drink heavily anywhere from 0-4 times a week.

Am I an addict?

I hope this is not considered an inappropriate post. ?!

[Yossarian22]

sounds like me - but with a different choice of drugs. Your drug taking sounds more compulsive than addiction at the moment, tho it easily & often descends into addiction. How long have you been taking the meds/drinking frequently?

Let me know - and we'll take it from there,

And by the way - its the RIGHT kind of post for this forum and is in no way inappropriate.

take care

yoss

keep on keepin on

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Llama

I sometimes take meds from my parents (tramadol and xanax). I don't necessarily WANT to do this...I do but I don't. Sometimes it's just so impulisive (I have bipolar disorder so impulse is a problem at times). I feel ok, but it's just like sometimes I want to relax more. And the funny thing is I have klonopin of my own (although that usually just puts me right to sleep...so what's the point?).

I also drink heavily anywhere from 0-4 times a week.

Am I an addict?

I hope this is not considered an inappropriate post. ?!

Hello L,

Addictive behavior includes but is not limited to taking another's medications with or without their permission to achieve a desired effect.

As the saying goes, the devil is in the details and you mention the word "sometimes" on more than one occasion.

Also, you mention the words "want to" instead of "need to" relax more, which wages the difference in urgency.

It may be necessary for you to discuss the possible need for additional medication with your prescribing MD , for he/she may be able to offer better insight into your situation, as they would be more familiar with your medical history.
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Binge drinking is not a good sign.

Do you experience blackouts or hangovers the next day?
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You have to ask yourself if these behaviors are disrupting your life, for there are only two extremes here: a positive or negative effect.

*Please realize that I am not getting on your back but attempting to shed some light on your situation.*

Take care.

Respectfully,

Phoenix

[Llama]

Well Yoss, the drinking I have been doing for maybe 2 years (I am 24) and the taking of drugs occurs way less frequently and I feel bad about it afterwards. Like today all I did was sleep until almost 5pm (I did take some of my klonopin too after I posted that).

And Phoenix you are right about the want vs. the need. I don't NEED it like some people who are addicted do. And yes sometimes (not always) I experience blackouts and once and a while hangovers from the alcohol. I live in a town where all the young people seem to do is drink. I know that that is no excuse because I should not be drinking anyway because of the bipolar meds I am taking. It is a bad habit.

Thank you both for your kind posts! Once when I was in the psych hospital the psychiatrist there told me I had a drinking problem but I refused to believe it. Now I am wondering if he was right.

[Phoenix]

Hello L,

The need to binge drink, not to mention the aftermath(blackouts and hangovers) leads me to believe that the psychiatrist was correct in his diagnosis of a drinking problem.

Some can have a casual or social drink but your need to binge is also an indicator...........

Then there's the medication/drink scenario, when you are aware that this can cause more harm than good.


Something happens when I drink............
I'm on cloud nine, at least I *****


Now what letters could those five asterisks represent?

The answer lies within that there are things that you need to do without.

The initial stage is acceptance versus denial.

Then there is the issue between "impulsive" and "compulsive" behavior.

Respectfully stated,

Phoenix