Brian's Recovery Experience
I am a 26-year-old male that has been managing a mental illness coupled with substance abuse for a few years. I was officially diagnosed with bi-polar disorder while away in college about five years ago. The journey into recovery hasn’t been easy. It took a couple years before the right medication mix was found to reduce the symptoms of my illness. At first it was Zyprexa, than Seroquel, Welbutrin, and Depakote. I tried Geodon but it had too many side effects, now its’ Abilify with Seroquel and Depakote. Without medications I am not the same person. The only way I can write this letter to you today is while being on the correct dosage of appropriate medications to balance out my moods
I consider myself fortunate to have medical insurance to help me pay for medicine. However, it is to my general understanding that many consumers are uninsured and rely on government run programs like Medicaid to get their medicine. I know it is a possibility that I may have to rely on Medicaid and Social Security one day. If this were to happen I hope that there wouldn’t be any restrictions or grave obstacles preventing me from getting the same medicine with the same dosage necessary to keep my chemical imbalance level.
All I can say is that from my personal experience. If a situation were to arise when I couldn’t receive my medicine anymore let me tell you what would happen. I would relapse. I will end up self-medicating with non-prescription drugs. I will end up in a crisis unit thinking I’m on top of the world, (manic), or wishing I were better off dead, (depressed). This would cause a likely Baker Act scenario, thus wasting taxpayer dollars, causing unneeded aggravation. At best I would avoid jail and a prolonged stay at a residential center or institution. I would end up back to were I started, making all I’ve been thriving for unwarranted and in vain.
As a consumer my goal is to avoid relapse, to stay stable and be a productive member of society. As long as I stay on my medicine regardless of financial status, I know I’ll be making contributions. As long as I follow a program of recovery this dual diagnosis is sustainable. Today, my life is not perfect but I am working on it just like anybody else. I am a functioning tax paying citizen willing to do the right thing for my fellow man. All I ask on behalf of my community is that you don’t restrict access to medications. From what I can deduce it is much simpler to continue providing solutions to a treatable condition rather than turning personal crisis and chaos into a bureaucracy.
Sincerely,
Brian
Member of NAMI of Miami