Sobriety possible with mental illness?🙄

Of course I know the answer to that…but boy it sucks how hard it is to get there. I’ve probably vented this before…sorry…but I’ve had PTSD since childhood, and bipolar 2, Fibromyalgia and chronic Lyme. The first 2 are the worst as far as trying to be sober for me. My meds work pretty good on non-drinking days…until I get triggered. Then NOTHING but booze or Ativan calms me down…and I prefer the booze cause it works faster!
I am trying all the skills I’ve been learning here, and they are helping. But I was triggered an hour ago and just took 1/2 Ativan to stop a scary rage! And as long as I stay home…I’m safe from drinking. Mostly venting…to folks here who get it. People in my life are either worn out from this, or are triggered themselves from my outbursts​:roll_eyes:. I’m not just crazy myself…I’m a carrier​:woozy_face:!:joy:. I just hope I never trigger anyone here​:pray::pensive:
My longest sober time in the last 2 years has been 6 weeks and I did it twice and felt so much better. Today is only day 3 this time and I could shred every living being around me​:persevere:. Hopefully soon…this too shall pass!:disappointed_relieved:

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Of course it will, just keep thinking that.
And hold tight!
What was the trigger, if you don’t mind me asking?

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For my PTSD, I did a year with a therapist that specialised in trauma and substance abuse. We did EMDR, which helped my PTSD enormously. Also, in AA I found a lot of sober people with PTSD who were able to share their experience of recovery with me.

I know it is hard, but it is possible to get better. :bird:

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I’ve heard of EMDR but never had it despite being in and out of counseling for 25+ years. Thank you, I had kind of forgotten about it. Gonna look into it.
Supposed to try my first Smart recovery meeting Thursday. Hoping that will help. Maybe I’ll find someone there…thanks for helping my more rational thoughts to return❤

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Lol…my husband. Hes a good man and tries to be supportive but cant relate. An he can push my buttons without even trying :grimacing:. Then once I start to tip…I’m done. The pets, the wind chimes, the ticking clock…and God forbid the friggen phone ring! I could literally start chucking things through every window of the house…its CRAZY! I dont hurt anyone…except myself on occasion​:thinking:…but I’m pretty scary apparently. My husband says a 1000 lb Grizzly would run away​:rofl:.
And our Golden retriever is a self made therapy dog, and one of our cats goes right into action to help as well.
I’ve lost myself in this answer.
Bob isnt my only trigger of course. I’ve had more than one therapist say I need to have less buttons to push. I just havent found the way to make it happen.
Sorry I’m rambling…but I am calming down.


Feels like years right now🙄…I wish it was!

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What happened to the chat room? Is it still part of the app?

Keep venting and sharing you daily joys and battles were here for you it does get better just give it a chance

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Thank you🤗

I know what you mean. One of the biggest things that worked for me was acceptance and the serenity prayer.



We can’t let people, places and things affect us.

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Thank you!

No, it’s gone. You can PM people or groups of people tho.

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Checking in with my PTSD and anxiety card. 7 years sober here. A little DBT, a lot of 12 step, and a lot of patience with myself helped me. I can relate to the anger outbursts. Still have my ups and downs, but I can manage it now.

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