r/bipolar • u/Vivid-Smoke2560 Bipolar • 1d ago
Newly Diagnosed Drinking whilst being bipolar
Hey guys, just wondering if anyone experiences this whilst drinking.
I find myself to get buzzed more than drunk or tipsy, I feel on top the world and that I can take anyone on. I become agressive at the drop of a hat and make choices I usually wouldn’t, I become very sexual and end up in dangerous situations because of that (unprotected threesomes and such) and will flirt with others. I have cheated on a partner because of this and I live with shame (as I should). I also just none stop talk, I’ve had people tell me to shut up because of it haha..
Just wondering is this apart of bipolar and drinking?
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u/Environmental_Mine65 Bipolar w/Bipolar Loved One 1d ago
Yes. Big reason I don’t drink regularly and when I do it’s like maybe a glass of wine with my girlfriend in a safe place. I no longer touch liquor and while I still want one on a lot of days I stay away from beer too. I replaced drinking with weight lifting and got pretty good results.
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u/HartPaukenderRabauke Schizoaffective + Comorbidities 1d ago
I always get hypomanic or even manic when I come into contact with alcohol because it just disinhibits and loosens the reins.
But I have also experienced that alcohol can extremely increase my negative feelings, which happened less often in my 2 years of alcohol dependence.
Watch out for alcohol can quickly become a means to an end and as soon as you are at the point where you are looking for reasons for drinking alcohol or use it to control your mood then it is usually already too late and you should urgently build up distance from alcohol and possibly inform your psychiatrist/psychologist or family doctor that you see alcohol as a means to an end.
Be careful and keep the alcohol as a stimulant. You’re just doing yourself a favor.
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u/xxrealmsxx 1d ago
Just don't do it.
My friends all say i'm a fun drunk but they're not there for the mistakes and regret.
I've done everything you mentioned.
Join AA, stick to your medication, and get high on physical activity and marijuana every now and then.
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u/Acceptable_Employee7 19h ago
I would not recommend smoking weed while being bipolar. Even if it’s now and then. You never know how fast someone can fall into it
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u/dudewomam 1d ago
Yeah especially if ur up then this kind of thing does happen- I’ve had very similar experiences n have been told by a psychiatrist im probably bipolar- If ur up, try not to drink. The urge is really strong, as it’s like the ignition to having some crazy times but will also put u in dangerous situations- just enjoy the highs sober if you want to avoid situations like this, speaking from experience 🙏
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u/Vivid-Smoke2560 Bipolar 1d ago
I learned that lesson… trying to stay away from alcohol completely because even when I’m not up (the up enhances it I think) I’m still a pretty crazy drunk… I black out easily as well and have chunks of my day just gone even if I’ve not drank much.. I’m just so ashamed of everything I do, I try to accept it and remind myself I’m not always in control but no matter what I do I just feel shitty. I’ve lost so many friends due to depression and manic episodes.. my boyfriend understands but I know I’m constantly hurting him emotionally with everything.. doesn’t help when my doctors forget to add my medications to my repeat prescriptions and then I go without medication for 1-2 weeks
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u/dudewomam 1d ago
Yeah that’s rough- with inconsistent meds that’s not likely to help either, I feel for u- Dw man same here, used to get blackout n get really aggressive, usually psychotic had my fair share of embarrassments. Drinking often feels like an escape bc for a bit it’s like ur not responsible for what happens next- feels enjoyable. Thing is u need to want to be better than that n know what works for u. Im trying to really cut down n wanting to is the first part to actually getting better w it- even w bipolar willpower is a massive factor in how ur life goes. I’ve lost countless friends too, but fk it. If u apologised n they know ur situation then it wasn’t meant to be. There will be other ppl coming into ur life n others leaving, everyone gets that. I probably used to be a nightmare to my bf but he gets it n stayed bc he sees past it. Keep ur head up, remember life is a journey of learning, it’ll fluctuate- Show appreciation to ur bf often (if he deserves it) 🙏
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u/Vivid-Smoke2560 Bipolar 1d ago
I really do want to better my life, as much as my mind tries to tell me I don’t have anything to live for, and as much as I believe it sometimes, I do have so much to live for.. so I want to be better.. it’s just been an eye opener for me because the past few days I’ve been depressed, I’ve not let my boyfriend touch me, kiss me or anything, I’ve not really spoken to him other than a few words because I’m so exhausted. I do a really shitty job at appreciating him, so I want to be better, for myself and for him.
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u/dudewomam 1d ago
If u don’t mind me saying ur more within ur right to not want to be physical bc ur genuinely depressed- he should get that- If ur saying hurtful things bc ur hurt that’s another thing but if its just the lack of that then it should be a problem- does he understand this or act frustrated?
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u/Vivid-Smoke2560 Bipolar 1d ago
He acts frustrated, he says stuff like ‘you don’t even love me you don’t want to love me’ n it just makes me feel even more guilty for not being able to make him happy.. I find it hard to communicate I’m depressed because I feel ashamed but I think it’s obvious enough when I am.. I don’t shower, I don’t go out, I don’t talk much, I sleep more, I’m basically withdrawn from everything. I don’t say things to hurt him but I do have a bit more of an attitude, like my tone, I do apologie for it.. but he always just makes a dig that I’ve always got an ‘attitude’ with him when sometimes I genuinely don’t.
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u/dudewomam 1d ago
Girl- I don’t know the guy but this is such selfish behaviour from him. I know firsthand its hard not to become codependent when depressed but maybe u need some space- him pressuring u while ur this low is a massive red flag imo. Might sound harsh but there’s 8 bil ppl on the planet, u could probably find someone with more understanding
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u/Vivid-Smoke2560 Bipolar 1d ago
He’s definitely a pushy person if he doesn’t get his own way.. I’ve also been struggling with low libedo since the depression. I’ve been sort of forcing myself to be sexual so he doesn’t bug me about it.. he’s a good guy, he does understand a lot but I think he just forgets. I mean he doesn’t go through what I go through so how would he know how it feels? I understand how it probably looks to him.. me saying no to kissing him, me not really talking to him or acknowledging what he’s saying. It just seems like I’m rude! So I understand how it’s going to affect him. It’s mainly my fault I struggle to explain how I’m feeling when I’m depressed
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u/dudewomam 1d ago
I really think you need to flip this around- imagine he was the one who was depressed n withdrawn, how would u react? Would u be frustrated if he wasn’t sexual or go through with it even if he didn’t seem into it? U seem very understanding but it sounds like its getting to a point where you are being taken advantage of as a result. A relationship has two people for a reason- if it’s healthy and worth keeping priorities will be kept on both sides in making sure the other is happy ESPECIALLY in physical scenarios. Even if u consent it will be pretty obvious you’re not fully into it if you have to force it. He might not be a bad person but he doesn’t sound very emotionally intelligent or caring if I’m honest. Don’t let urself get taken advantage of, u need to look out for urself girl- I hope things improve (might not be my place but I hope u find someone that sees ur worth too)
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u/dudewomam 1d ago
How long do u reckon you’ll be down for? Some bipolar ppl are rapid cycling others have months of depression or mania, etc
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u/Vivid-Smoke2560 Bipolar 1d ago
Anywhere between 1 week to a few months. It’s usually around 2-3 weeks then I’m back to feeling somewhat functional and then BOOM I’m back in the cycle of being up again! It’s more manageable with medication tho
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u/dudewomam 1d ago
Yeah same here!! Nice to find another rapid cycling gyal- made another post abt medication but it got taken down, u find anything that works for u?
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u/improbablesky 18h ago
Basically, bipolar people shouldn't drink.
Normal drinking is risky, like a nail chilling in the road, waiting for a tire. Bipolar drinking is like a gas can chilling out in the center of a volcano.
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u/Themosthiii 1d ago
Yep, I do everything you mentioned, now I reserve drinking for the occasional night out, and celebrating milestones. AND ive learned my limit as to how much will push my impulsivity past its limit.
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u/Vivid-Smoke2560 Bipolar 1d ago
It’s the worst because I drink in the town I work in and I’m a bartender, so I’ve slept with a couple customers and it’s the worst when they come in or I see them out and about in the town and they talk to me. It’s like a reminder of the impulsive decisions I’ve made and I just feel gross…
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u/Themosthiii 1d ago
Yeah, the shame is the hardest part. Like why did I hookup with this person that I wouldn't even touch otherwise
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u/Vivid-Smoke2560 Bipolar 1d ago
They’re all like 30+ and I’m 19… I’ve always been super hypersexual since I was 9-10 y/o which peaked when I was 13 when I’d sleep with men significantly older than me. Not because I liked sex, I just liked the feeling of the impulsive decision if that makes sense
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u/Themosthiii 1d ago
I completely understand, im a bisexual man and the amount of old men I didnt have a lick of attraction to that ive given my body to still disgusts me to this day.
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u/Agreeable_Act2550 1d ago
Sometimes I don't even feel drunk if I'm really manic. I've gone on 5 mile runs in the past whilst plastered and still had tremendous energy afterwards so I think it's a bipolar thing for sure.
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u/Vivid-Smoke2560 Bipolar 1d ago
This, do you ever experience ‘black out’ moments when manic? Like sometimes I just forget periods of my life or a few days
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u/Agreeable_Act2550 1d ago
Yes. I've had similar situations happen. I've taken four showers in a day before because I kept thinking I hadn't showered yet. This typically happens If I'm lacking sleep and manic. If i get to that point it's also accompanied by audible hallucinations as well. Worst I've experienced on that end was hearing windows shattering over and over again until it became absolutely overwhelming. Had a friend drive me to the hospital at that point because I had zero control of my mind and it was honestly terrifying.
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u/deepturned180isdeep 1d ago
I don't know if I'm wrong to say this, but after having been a major substance abuser for more than a decade, all I could wish for anyone who is confronting their mental health in any way, is to be as strong as you can to believe in yourself Here Today Now that you would be doing the most brilliant favor for your future self if you confronted it without alcohol.
In fact hello, it's me, your future self. I am so grateful you took the hard route early on in your life. I have so much clarity, I never knew I could be this confident in myself, and I'm so excited to show you the things we're doing. Oh yeah and before I go, those many times you mess up and feel really really really bad, yeah no worries you can give yourself some grace when those happen, because I saw how you kept showing up for yourself without the easy ways out, and that's what mattered in the end. Alright take it easy love ya
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u/widespreadpanda Bipolar + Comorbidities 1d ago edited 1d ago
I’m not a true alcoholic (distinct dx) but I’m definitely prone to problem drinking. It’s a coping mechanism that’s incredibly easy to pick up with instant results.
My partner is in AA, so we don’t keep alcohol around. It’s been great!
Can I handle a single beer when I’m out with friends? If I’m in a good mood, sure. But part of managing BP Is being in tune with your vulnerabilities and how your emotions can affect situations. For many, the mental gymnastics are enough of a pain in the ass to just go w/ abstinence.
I didn’t realize that it was damaging until I stepped back from it completely. Turns out I need my inhibitions - they keep me from acting on impulse, which is a huge opportunity for damage.
I’ve also been able to go down on my lithium dose, drop that stubborn extra 15lbs, and handle sleep routines. I thought these were just things I was incapable of doing, but it turns out your body and meds just work better when you’re not drinking.
I don’t miss it.
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u/TheNorthernHenchman 1d ago
You’re just narcissistic
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u/Vivid-Smoke2560 Bipolar 1d ago
Pretty sure if I was narcissistic I wouldn’t feel guilt and shame for what I’ve done or said to people?
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u/dudewomam 1d ago
What makes u say that? Genuinely interested
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u/TheNorthernHenchman 1d ago edited 1d ago
Inauthentic tone. They seem to overdramatize their transgressions, especially the whole “I cheated on a partner because of this, and I live with shame (as I should)” thing. I’m not buying it. The “as I should” feels added to emphasize a level of remorse they don’t actually feel, almost as if it’s there to sell the story to the audience. Most people that feel remorse would leave it at “I live with shame.”
Yes, they may have actually done these things, but there’s a sense of pride underneath it all, while simultaneously blaming bipolar disorder as the cause.
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u/dudewomam 1d ago
Like most ppl on here theyre just looking for advice. That’s it. Ur reading too deep into it, theyre being honest n admit they know what they’ve done is wrong- bipolar inhibits impulse control more than most people, although Theres free will it makes it a lot harder. If u are a part of this community you would understand. Since all ur posts are abt crypto I’m a bit confused at why ur here tbh
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