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Here are some links to information in our website that you might find helpful:
Bipolar Disorder and Alcoholism
Substance Abuse and Mental Illness

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Romina Avila

In Canada we have groups that you can attend for Concurrent disorders.  It is through the Canadian Mental Health Association.  Is there anything similar to that where you are ?.  I have found having addictions and being bipolar have to be dealt with at the same time.   I went to a treatment facility/program that offered help for concurrent disorders, that really helped me.  It is not an easy road being BiPolar !!  I did find that the less I used drugs and alcohol the easier it was to pinpoint my Bipolar moods, figure out why I say and do what I do etc..Once I had a few years of clean time, I started to see things much differently because it was easier to seperate what a drug and alcohol craving was and a bipolar moment.

Hi,

I have a number of labels, including bipolar and substance abuse.   I have gone to a number of different 12 step programs and felt comfortable walking into any of them.

The gist of the program is that we are powerless over a substance, circumstance, or behaviour, need help, and with the help of the steps, and the other people, we can live a better life.

One of the things that I have learned is that I need to be respectful about the language I use when I am at a meeting.  If I am at AA, I won't talk about being bipolar, but I will say I am having problems with out-of-control moods.  I might say that I am working on a certain step so I can connect spiritually, and that every morning I am journalling so help set the tone for the day.   And to keep me emotionally balanced.  I won't talk about the side effects of my mood stabilizer, and that I hate the doctor for increasing the meds.  Or that I am having problems with suicide ideation.  Those conversations are left for people I talk to after the meeting over coffee.  The people that I have gotten to know and trust.  An AA meeting's purpose is to help the alcoholic who wants to stop drinking.

The reason for this is that there needs to be a common language because that is how we are identifying as a group.  If I am at AA, the focus is booze, and how to reach sobriety.

You might be interested in checking out EA, (Emotions Anonymous), to talk about your emotions.  I have gone to lots of meetings, and I have heard some really inspiring things.   I tried DDA (Dual Disorders Anonymous), but it wasn't a good match for me.  You might want to give it a shot.  It all depends on the people in the group, and every group keeps changing and is different from each other.

I agree with you that we are a whole person, with multiple issues, and all of them need to be addressed,  Because the 12 step groups are not run by trained professionals, the complex help you need might be better addressed in therapy.  And then use the 12 step groups as a way to support the guided work you are doing with your therapist.

I wish you much luck on your journey.

Trish