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My son is 21, a wonderful child, he warmed my heart. I knew he had a problem with drinking and smoking pot occasionally. He was sober, though, all summer but severely depressed and quiet and would go for no help. "I'll get through it, Ma," he said. On August 30th he began drinking heavily and got into other drugs. He totalled/nearly totalled two cars, engaged in criminal acts, received several traffic citations, maxed out credit cards, all in 10 weeks. He said everything was under control, no big problem. He then was incarcerated twice (we didn't bail him out thinking this would knock sense into him and he would hit bottom. He was hospitalized and in addition to substance abuse, they gave a preliminary BP diagnosis. He refused to take meds and got into more trouble when released. We have since committed him to a state hospital for 30 days for substance abuse and I believe they also think there is BP. they have prescribed Depakote but he is refusing to take it. He is getting into trouble even there. He is released back to the court in two weeks. He could end up in jail. I am hoping for a halfway house. I am having a hard time coping every day. This child is so sick and I am pretty powerless. I have never heard of anyone getting in this much trouble in 10 weeks. His whole life and ours have been completely changed. I am going to Al-Anon and counselling, but feel despair if he isn't willing to take the help he is offered.
Sounds like 'mixed states' to me. You are right to call him a child because with bipolar illness, so many times they operate at a much lower emotional age than thier chronological age.
Depake is a monsterous soul crushing drug. I understand why he wont take it, not advocating no medication but sometimes there needs to be some flexibility.
