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Mental Health methamphetamine use vs mania

rpmcmurphy

rpmcmurphy

Greenlighter
Joined
Feb 28, 2012
Messages
15
Location
Ocean Beach, California
Hello everyone,
This is a delicate situation I've gotten myself into. I am a recovering addict with 3 months clean, and my girlfriend (who I used to use with), has been in jail for 2 months. She's looking at 6 more. I make sure there is phone time, a little money on her books, and send her a gift every so often (I love her), but the problem is this: She suffers from bipolar 1, and refuses to take medication. Over the last week, her mood has suddenly changed and she acts very different. Very much like when we were getting high. She says that she's still clean, but its very hard to believe. If she's getting high, then I can't support her, but if she's just having a manic episode, then I'd feel terrible about cutting her off. Anybody have any ideas on how to tell the difference? Or any advice in general? This is a very tricky, and stressful situation.

Thanks
 
It's really hard to tell. Cycles of mania and depression can be nearly indistinguishable from cycles of amphetamine intoxication and crashing. I guess decreased appetite isn't as common with bipolar-induced mania, but it's common for things other than eating seeming more important while manic.

ebola
 
It's tricky, that's no doubt. I guess the best way to tell is by duration. If she's still like this in a week or so then it's more likely mania then amphetamines. If she's in jail then it can't be easy for her to get ahold of drugs, so it could be a one or two time thing rather then prolonged use. Either way, I'd stick by her for now. Don't make any rash decisions yet, jail's hard enough as it is.

Best of luck :)
 
It's tricky, that's no doubt. I guess the best way to tell is by duration.
Click to expand...

Not really. Periods of cycling in bipolar disorder can vary in length from hours to weeks, but usually with some consistency of length within a given individual.

ebola
 
ebola? said:
Not really. Periods of cycling in bipolar disorder can vary in length from hours to weeks, but usually with some consistency of length within a given individual.

ebola
Click to expand...
Oh of course, but most people with bipolar aren't ultra-rapid cycling. Methamphetamine use would appear as ultradian cycling, whereas I would imagine OP's GF - from what it sounds - doesn't have cycles as short.
 
I think it could be extremely difficult to tell. I'd focus on making her feel like she can be open and honest with you. Although if you'd cut her out of your life for relapsing then I understand why she'd be scared to tell you the truth. I wouldn't want to assume she's using again when she very well may not be.
 
Thanks everyone. its not that'd i'd cut her off for one slip, but i can't support continuing use. i'm recovering myself, so its hard. she seems to be doing better now, so i guess it was just her cycle. unfortunately, drugs are very easy to get in jails where i live. I've been through it, so i have some idea what she goes through
 
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