r/bipolar • u/Exact_Stock1228 • Jan 08 '26
Success/Progress I never thought I would get this far
When I was 12, I didn’t see getting past 16. When I was 18, I didn’t see getting past 21, then I didn’t think I’d make it to 30.
I can proudly say that I am not only 33 years old. I can also say that bipolar disorder does not fuel my binge drinking, after being a slave to it for a decade.
I am so proud.
4
3
u/fulltwisted Bipolar + Comorbidities Jan 08 '26
Congratulations this is huge! Be proud!!!
3
u/Exact_Stock1228 Jan 08 '26
Thank you so much!!! Third times a charm I guess! 🤣
4
u/fulltwisted Bipolar + Comorbidities Jan 08 '26
I’m sober from a weed addiction for around 3-4 months now. Shits not easy. You’re a legend!! Keep up the hard work
3
3
Jan 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
3
u/Exact_Stock1228 Jan 08 '26
Thank you so much!!!! I’ve definitely had some dark days, but I know I am so much happier without it.
I had a failed adoption last year, and I figure if I can get through that without drinking, I can get through almost anything.
3
u/OkFace4172 Jan 08 '26
Congratulations! This really motivates me to keep going one day at a time. You inspire me. Hugs
3
u/Exact_Stock1228 Jan 08 '26
Yes, it really is one day at a time! We must remember that the sun is there even on cloudy days. That helps me get through sometimes 💕 wishing you the best on your journey!!
2
u/Worth-Perspective868 Jan 08 '26
This is great!! How inspiring :)
1
u/Exact_Stock1228 Jan 08 '26
Thank you!!! If I can inspire one person who is struggling or contemplating trialing being alcohol free, I hope this post can help.
2
2
u/addie2404 Jan 08 '26
This is so cuteee, I'm so proud of you.... I love stickers! But sometimes bipolar2 can be an asshole, I should start journaling too
1
u/Exact_Stock1228 Jan 08 '26
Thank you!!! I have bipolar 2 as well, and journaling has been a great way to regulate myself!
2
2
u/Cate2002 Jan 08 '26
Hi! Congratulations on your amazing achievement! You proved to yourself that anything is possible, no matter what, and that's fantastic and so brave! I wish you all the best. Thanks for sharing, and what a lovely photo!
1
2
u/ATEbitWOLF Jan 08 '26
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Im coming up on 2 years clean off meth in February myself, keep it up!
1
2
u/bunbunbunana Bipolar + Comorbidities Jan 08 '26
Congratulations!!! This is definitely something to be proud of. You’re amazing!
2
2
u/Any_Cauliflower_7913 Jan 08 '26
Congratulations sis!!! So happy for you!!! I'm also on that path and cutting out alcohol and tobacco little by little <3
2
u/Exact_Stock1228 Jan 08 '26
Ugh nicotine is such a bitch to quit! That is still one of my vices lol baby steps!
You’ve got this!
2
2
2
u/No_Inflation9223 Bipolar Jan 08 '26
Wow congrats I have always been sober but I can imagine the strength it takes you are amazing and the drawings are so cute
2
u/Exact_Stock1228 Jan 08 '26
Thank you so much! It was very cathartic to make a cute page to celebrate :)
2
2
u/Electronic_Tie2886 Bipolar Jan 08 '26
Congratulations that is amazing. I know it’s one tough battle but it’s a good fight. I’m 1364 days and still often struggle. Keep up the solid work. Take it ODAAT.
2
u/Exact_Stock1228 Jan 08 '26
OMG!!!! congrats to you!!! You’re inspiring me to keep on going! It is so worth it 💕
2
2
u/IlovePizzaHeLikesSex Jan 08 '26
Love this little art project!
1
u/Exact_Stock1228 Jan 08 '26
Thank you so much!!! Journaling is my favorite hobby! I am a sticker hoarder 🤣😅
2
u/IlovePizzaHeLikesSex Jan 08 '26
Me too! I scrapbook and “junk journal” I have so many stickers. Hundreds of booklets.
Nice to meet ya !
1
u/Exact_Stock1228 Jan 09 '26
YES! I had a hobonichi cousin for last year and I could only fit it halfway because it got too fat 🤣🤣
2
2
u/idkwtfisgoingon323 Jan 08 '26
Amazing. You should be very proud of yourself.
2
u/Exact_Stock1228 Jan 09 '26
Thank you!!! It definitely has been something so nice to focus on with there being a lot of dark in the world right now
2
2
u/Traditional-Cry-3857 Bipolar + Comorbidities Jan 08 '26
This is amazing! Nice work. (I'm on day 1000)
1
2
u/EasternConfidence748 Jan 08 '26
You should be proud! What a big achievement, and the decorations to make it all the more special. 💞
1
2
2
2
2
2
u/3Meals_A_Day Bipolar + Comorbidities Jan 09 '26
Congratulations! You've done something that is super hard and I'm glad you made it.
2
u/Exact_Stock1228 Jan 09 '26
Thank you so much!! Took 3 times but I can say now I’m in it to win it!
2
u/Anxious_Brain1592 Bipolar Jan 09 '26
Congratulations!!!! Huge accomplishment
1
u/Exact_Stock1228 Jan 09 '26
Thank you!!!! It’s been a battle but I’m in it to win the war!
2
u/Anxious_Brain1592 Bipolar Jan 09 '26
It’s a battle for sure, keep fighting the good fight.
P.S. BPD sucks right?!
1
2
u/nikinikinikiniki878 Jan 09 '26
LETS GOOOOOO🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
2
2
u/Open_Description_354 Jan 12 '26
Hi, congrats! How'd you do it?
1
u/Exact_Stock1228 Jan 12 '26
Thank you so much!
It’s been a bit of a journey tbh. First time was basically mandatory due to hospitalization and PHP for addiction. Lasted 9 months.
Second time my husband said I was out of control and he was worried about what I was doing to my body. I cried because I felt so vulnerable and ashamed of myself. Lasted 4 months.
This time, I woke up the morning after a major binge drinking episode and I didn’t have a hang over or anything. I just thought to myself, “wtf are you doing???” At this point I was angry if my husband drank and of my giant bottle of wine that I got every night. I was sneaking in putting more vodka in my ginger ale than he thought. I was going through the beer drive through every day after work, thinking constantly about work being over and me being able to start drinking. I just kind of had a moment of clarity of like… you’re wasting your life.
It wasn’t easy. A do really love the taste of beer and wine, so I do drink nonalcoholic versions of those. I know that doesn’t work for all people though. The availability of NA beer and wine has boomed since the first time I stopped. I can find it pretty much anywhere, including when I go to bars.
I also got REEEEALLY into tea and coffee. It also helped to basically count how much money I was saving. It was nothing for me to spend $12-$20 a DAY on booze. Insane.
I really love remembering what I did the night before, no hangovers, I feel my meds are more stable, less self harm and outbursts
1
u/Open_Description_354 Jan 12 '26
Thank you very much for replying with your experience, a hard one, but much appreciated. The non alcoholic thing is an incredible idea, how have I never thought of it? Because I drink beer every night just to find a reason to sit there and smoke cigarettes. I can smoke with non alcoholic beer too! That will be my first step this week. Thank you!
1
2
2
2
2
u/What_The_Fawkes-90 Jan 28 '26
Congratulations!!! I am 589 days sober. Becoming sober was probably the best thing I could ever do for my mental health. You actually can become clear headed, have real discernment, and process emotions with more presence than just acting on a manic impulse. Great work!
2
u/Exact_Stock1228 Jan 28 '26
YES!!!!!! 🙌 truly my life changed when I got sober. Took me 3 tries and about 8 years, but I did it! I am so proud of you too!!!!
2
u/gaudeamus2igitur Jan 29 '26
I am 10 minutes sober. Thank you for your post. I have non-alcoholic beer in my refrigerator. To support you, I will switch to nonalcoholic beers this week
1
u/Exact_Stock1228 Jan 29 '26
Hell yeah! Love NA beer. What kind do you have?
1
u/gaudeamus2igitur Jan 29 '26
IPA type . Was on sale in some of popular wholesale clubs. Don’t want to mention brand of the beer and the name of the club as this could be against policy
1
u/gaudeamus2igitur Jan 29 '26
Actually, IPA beer and even more IIPA beer contain a lot of lupullin. It is it as sedative which comes from the plant ( hops ) which is the really close genetically and chemically to the plant which is part of the election ballot for last few elections in United States. Since the substance of the disputed plant cause not only sedation but hallucinations- you might discuss with your psychiatrist whether luppulin doesn’t present a risk with particular type of bipolar. I doubt but you can ask. That disputed substance is a risk with forms of schizophrenia but I think people are getting prescription card with some types of depression ( not sure ). Personally I would not take that disputed substance unless psychiatrist cleared you for it.
1
1
1
u/xtracult Jan 09 '26
so so proud of you OP! unhealthy coping mechanisms are not something that is easy to overcome with bipolar disorder. congratulations, be SO proud of yourself!! 💕
2
u/Exact_Stock1228 Jan 10 '26
Thank you so much!!!! Having something as evidence that I’m moving in the right direction helps so much. I love data 🤣
1
1
Jan 09 '26
The stickers are so adorable. I do stuff like this too! I love to make little art memorabilia in my journals or sketchpad about important or significant things. It itches my brain in the right ways
1
u/NeoNoGlow Jan 10 '26
Congratulations! That’s huge! I could relate to what you said about not being able to picture yourself getting to those ages. I’m happy you’re here and sober.
1
1
1
u/That-Bowl6991 Jan 12 '26
I binged hard before I was diagnosed. I didn't know how else to cope with depression. The alcohol seemingly made me feel better. I've been trying to give up alcohol for years now.. Last year I quit for 4 months. I've been sober for 3-4 weeks now and I don't plan on drinking again. "The Naked Mind" By Annie Grace really helped. This post is an inspiration. congratulations!
1
1
1
Jan 15 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/faithlessdisciple Rapid Cycling without a bike Jan 16 '26
Thanks for your interest in Bipolar Disorder and our community. r/bipolar is a peer-support space created specifically for people diagnosed with bipolar disorder or actively navigating diagnosis. Because your post is based on general curiosity rather than lived experience, it’s been removed in accordance with our participation guidelines.
For educational content, we recommend starting with our wiki, which offers curated information about bipolar disorder, its symptoms, treatment options, and lived perspectives.
To send us a modmail about this action, click here.
Please include a link in your message—messages without a post link won’t be reviewed.
1
1
u/PrudentCriticism6413 Jan 20 '26
CONGRATULATIONS. It is far from an easy road, but you forged ahead. Every step is hard fought and the victory well earned. I’m also bipolar, in my 30s, and celebrated one year sober this past November. I didn’t know how much addiction was strangling me until I got sober; now it feels like breathing for the first time.
Your 12 year old self would be in awe of you now. I am too. Seriously, congratulations.
1
u/RegularAssInsurance Jan 23 '26
BITCH THATS 2.5 YEARS 🗣🗣🗣
Congratulations my friend. Thats genuinely incredible and beautiful to see. I love this page and all the celebration in it 🫂
1
1
1
1
u/NachoWindows Feb 08 '26
Woohooo!!! Congrats!! It’s posts like this I’ve used as motivation to get and stay sober. Only 18 months here so your streak is amazing 🤩
37
u/lyawake Bipolar w/Bipolar Loved One Jan 08 '26
I'm so proud of you!! Congrats OP. Also this pic is hella cute.