Substance-Related Disorders

Making healthy changes isn’t about pretending the past version of you didn’t exist. It’s about acknowledging who you were, honoring what you survived, and meeting yourself exactly where you are right now.

Real change doesn’t start with shame or pressure. It starts with honesty. With noticing what worked, what didn’t, and why you coped the way you did at the time. Those choices made sense then—even if they don’t serve you now.

Growth is less about forcing yourself into a “better” version and more about building a bridge from where you are to where you want to be. One small shift. One kinder thought. One realistic step at a time.

You don’t have to rush, erase your past, or have it all figured out. Progress happens when self-compassion leads the way. Be patient with yourself—you’re learning, not failing. #MentalHealth #ADHD #ADHDInGirls #Anxiety #SubstanceRelatedDisorders #BipolarDisorder #Neurodiversity #Addiction

I’m getting there 👌💪👍
#MightyTogether #Addiction #AlcoholAbuse #AlcoholDependence #Alcoholism

Tomorrow I’m attending the Inspire Centre for therapy and assistance to help with my substance abuse issues. Here’s what I have written for them. If you have any suggestions or advice on what I’ve written, please let me know in the comments section below 👍

Last time I had a drink - 9th Sept.
Last time I took Cocaine - 9th Sept.

• Use was plain and simply an escape. An escape from the noise and chatter and chaos that I have to put up with 24/7. It might only have been for a couple of hours, but I needed it.

• It’s like my prescription drugs, that were working brilliantly, became less effective and the Bipolar was more prevalent causing this gap, a void that had to be filled, and I chose to fill it with alcohol and Cocaine.

• I know that my actions aren’t the best way to deal with it but I was just desperate. I know that mixing the two together forms Cocaethylene in the Liver, and this is Cardiotoxic.

• Without the Cocaine I wouldn’t have been able to write this explanation. My Bipolar medication robs me of my ability to express myself and explain my experiences in any way. It makes me numb. It’s a different numbness than that of what the Depression brings, but it is a numbness nonetheless.

• I don’t think I’ve got a substance abuse problem, but I’ve got a Mental Illness problem that isn’t being addressed. My meds worked well for a long time from when I started this combination. Slowly, I feel like the Bipolar chipped away at them and their ability to remedy the problem that the Bipolar caused, became less productive.

• After time, they (the medication) have become less effective, less efficient if you will. There is no cure for this illness but just a remedy to keep it manageable. I feel that they need reviewing and increasing where possible to avoid the dips in my recovery from this terrible affliction that consumes me relentlessly for every single minute of every single day.

• There is an onslaught of gaps in my psyche which are voids of emptiness that are being filled by the Bipolar and not the medication. It’s as though it has been setting me up to fall in its trap. Relentless in pursuit of finding a way in which impacts on me. It’s horrible.

#Addiction #Alcoholism #AlcoholAbuse #CocaineDependence #SubstanceRelatedDisorders #MentalHealth #MightyTogether

✨ Recovery isn’t about choosing between lived experience or clinical expertise—it’s about weaving them together.

Lived wisdom grounds us in empathy and shared humanity. Clinical knowledge helps us understand patterns, symptoms, and strategies for moving forward. When both come together, recovery becomes more than surviving—it becomes building a life with tools, language, and compassion that last.

💬 💬 How has lived experience or professional insight shaped your own journey, and how do you—or how can you—bring both together in the way you heal, grow, and support others?

My experience has taught me that one balances the other, and that it’s okay not to know everything. It’s okay to say, “I don’t know,” and to admit when I’m scared of being vulnerable—because that honesty is where real connection and recovery begins. And that we have many conversations on seeking help but not enough conversations on what is best for us and what is the power to help us get that support

And here's a few things that I learned that help me to do play an active role in my journey.

✅ Ways to proactively advocate with your support team:

Be clear about your goals and needs. Share what you’re working toward—whether it’s stability, reducing symptoms, or building coping tools—so your team knows what success looks like for you.

Ask questions and request explanations. Don’t hesitate to ask why a treatment, strategy, or approach is being suggested. Understanding the reasoning helps you stay engaged and confident in your care.

Set boundaries and give feedback. Advocate for what feels helpful and speak up if something isn’t working. A good team will respect your voice, adjust, and work with you—not just on you.

⸻

🔍 How to recognize good support vs. unhelpful support:

Good support looks like:
• Listening without judgment.
• Valuing your lived experience alongside professional expertise.
• Encouraging collaboration and respecting boundaries.
• Empowering you to make informed choices.

Unhelpful support looks like:
• Dismissing your concerns or minimizing your experiences.
• Making decisions for you without your input.
• Using shame, guilt, or pressure as motivators.
• Creating dependency instead of building your confidence and skills.

#ADHDInGirls #ADHD #Neurodiversity #MentalHealth #Anxiety #Depression #SubstanceRelatedDisorders #MightyTogether