I’m noticing that all of my post titles end in “and Bipolar” or “and Mental Illness”. I apologize for the boring titles.
Just about everyone on medications to treat their bipolar shouldn’t drink; even those people with bipolar disorder who don’t take medication should avoid alcohol because it exacerbates bipolar mood swings. But I still drink a few times a month, as I’m sure others do, despite the warnings from instruction booklets and shrinks. I always wait several hours after my last drink to make sure my liver has time to process the alcohol before I take my Seroquel but that doesn’t change the fact that I shouldn’t down screwdrivers or wine in the first place.
I think I drink to allow myself the freedom to follow all of my feelings and desires. Back before I was on medications this wasn’t a problem. I just felt however I did at the moment and did whatever I wanted to without real pause. Now that I’m medicated my illogical feelings or basest desires feel wrong, as though they’re breaking some code of conduct that I never used to subscribe to. I don’t follow the impulses that used to be second nature anymore, like I’m not allowed to without vigorous explanation to those around me.
No one questions my motives for crying to songs or deciding that I want to have sex all night long when I’m drunk. So long as I’m not puking on anyone or taking shots before class no one wonders why I’m doing anything. “She’s just drunk, that’s all” is all the explanation that’s needed. People say medication is freedom; I say that medication is a necessary cage to live a productive life.
I know I shouldn’t drink but that doesn’t stop me. Not even my family’s history of alcoholism prevents me from mixing a drink. It’s irresponsible and possibly dangerous, but it’s still a form of freedom.
I miss the freedom of being crazy. I miss the compulsion to follow every whim. It was much less limiting than this supposedly “normal” existence.
-Ashes
I am from Eastern Bloc. Not drinking here makes you suspicious (you are viewed as either recovering alcoholic or some religious fundie…). Refusing to have a drink with someone is offensive.
So I see nothing wrong with drinking as long as you know what are you doing and know your limits.
As for freedom… Sartre viewed as a burden, because it comes with responsibility… But I value my freedom greatly.
…with all the responsibilities and possible risks that come with it.
so yes, we sometimes engage in risky behaviors… but isn’t that what living is about? I do not want normal existence… I want to live, to be intense, to feel.
It’s interesting just how much social and geographic factors lead to social norms. I didn’t know that refusing to drink with someone was rude or offensive! Here in the US we hear about how Eastern Europe drinks like none other but I didn’t know that it extended to being impolite to not drink when invited to.
I agree completely that so long as we know our limits and the risks there’s nothing wrong with drinking. It’s so important that we take responsibility for our own happiness and freedom, but in the States it seems like that responsibility is less emphasized. My state recently banned alcoholic energy drinks because a college kids died of alcohol poisoning after having some. If we were all accountable for our actions, reactionary criminalization wouldn’t happen as often.
/off-topic. Thank you for sharing your perspective!