hello all,

I have what is called a dual diagnois: I am a recovering addict who has a mental health issues.  I would write that my main issue is Bipolar Disorder, but my therapist says that the word "addict" describes me more so than Bipolar.  You see, I am also "addicted" to a set of twins with whom I've had very codependent relations with; they were also my main drug connections, one of which I was engaged & the other I lived with briefly. 

I know that it is advised for us to band together and focus on the similiarites shared by all addicts instead of discussing qualifiers and our particular d.o.c. (drug[s] of choice.)  However, I still feel that meth has affected me in a way that no other drug could.  I think that is due in part to my Bipolar, as the neurons in the left frontal cortex of my brain fire too rapidly anyway.  It's also due to the fact that for four months I had an unlimited supply of meth; surely, that darn near killed me a couple of years ago.  My Maker--darn hype though he is--has said that I stay awake longer and crash harder than anyone he has ever seen.  He also sums up the obvious by saying that I'm "obsessive compulsive and highly aggressive", especially on meth.  My thoughts apparently raced so fast that for days at a time I would just lay there, not sleeping, out of it.  I remember that I had no concept of time, although by the mercy of my Higher Power I remember little else.  I know some people use meth hopeing that they can stay awake to get more done, but I am the exact opposite: when I'm on meth all I do is do meth (along with other [nonprescription] drugs.)

Is anybody else out there a recovering meth addict who is Bipolar?  I would be grateful to get feedback from anyone, regardless of d.o.c. or mental health, as the disease of addiction has apparently brought us all here together so that we may receive support.