Hi
I have BPD and will be sober from the end of August after an inpatient detox. I’m from the UK and under 25.
My question is how to manage BPD symptoms like agitation without alcohol. I started drinking much more because of this and insomnia.
I haven’t been able to access DBT or any other therapy yet.
If anyone has advice, it’ll be very appreciated 
DBT is going to be absolutely foundational in your recovery. Dr. Linehan, who created it, has BPD herself.
DBT has been such an amazing therapy for me. It’s allowed me to live my best life; but it takes an active effort every day. Practice makes perfect.
As we have physical muscle memory, we also have mental muscle memory.
You can practice the 4 DBT skills by yourself while you wait to see someone who is trained and licensed in it.
For example, opposite action will be a great one.
Mindfulness will be key, too, to staying sober.
Go online and research the multifarious skills, practice them while you’re not in crisis so they’ll be muscle memory for when you are, and keeping adding to your tool box.
One thing I have to constantly tell myself, especially with BPD, is feelings aren’t facts.
I might feel like relapsing is for the best, and I might not feel like I even care anymore—but consequences last a lot longer than feelings.
I am rooting for you!
Thanks for answering. I have already tried some skills. While waiting. I can’t do too much though bc at least where I live, it’s set up so I will be ineligible for any therapy. Which I know I need bc I have had psychosis episodes which affect my insight. And some other things I need to discuss with a therapist rather than friend.
But you are so right. I will continue to do as much as I can manage with online skills. I have also joined online groups for support with BPD.
It sounds like you’re already on the “right path”.
Keep walking, one step at a time, one day at a time.
Love this thank you. Had a few thoughts this evening that I was quickly able to identify are not facts. But yes like you said daily concerted effort. Really working on a strong meditation routine. Practicing mindfulness. It without question has kept me sober today.
Yay! I’m so happy to hear that!!! I hope you’re proud of yourself!!! 
Just keep practicing, one day at a time.
I have tons of advice on this.
When I got sober in a psych hospital, everyone without a serious diagnosis (like trauma) was told they had BPD. I still remember how much this hurt when they told me. (Reminds me of how much I’ve been through, and just how strong I really am).
But remember, they are the front lines, and not recovered alcoholics / addicts. They don’t know our disease.
After 1 year of sobriety in AA, most of the DSM’s criteria for BPD was gone for me. I looked at the list again and said, “Hey! That’s alcoholism!”
SO MANY PEOPLE are given “psychiatric titles” and they go down that rabbit hole…
Thank God I never stayed on any of the medication they gave me for it… I might’ve gotten really messed up, even worse than I was.
A very specific kind of Big Book stepworked healed me. I had to seek for it HARD in AA, but finally was led to it.
My advice: Keep a pure and good heart. God will meet you on your road. There’s likely nothing wrong with you at all. 
We just need to recover.
I’ve had BPD since I was a little
girl and it happened because of trauma. Drinking was to treat the pain. Even when I did get sober for a good lot of time, BPD was something I had to deal with on the daily. Mental illness comes in many forms. Perhaps one could be mis-diagnosed and that makes sense. It could just be from the drinking. However, in my case, I am extremely BPD and when you’re BPD, you know you’re BPD! That’s my opinion. 