Bipolar & Hydrocodone

[KenDad5]

My wife has not been diagnosed for bipolar yet and kicked me out of the house demanding a divorce.  Manic rage, inflated self esteem, party girl, neglect of the house, abuse of the kids & me, constant talking/texting/facebooking.  

My kids found a bottle of Hydrocodone from a prescription for their wisdom teeth extraction from about 5 months ago.  There were three bottles that used to be kept in the safe and it looks as if she combined them into one bottle.  I know from friends with the disorder that people will try to self-medicate.  My brother in law probably has the disorder too and used to medicate with Tylenol PM to keep his mind from racing and get some sleep.  Then when he was depressed, he became an alcoholic.  Is it possible that she is trying to self-medicate?  What effect would Hydrocodone have?  


OR

Is it possible that she is just hooked on Hydrocodone and it is giving her Bipolar symptoms?  I know Cocaine addiction is very close in symptoms to Bipolar.  

[lindahand]

If she is hurting the kids do not allow yourself to be kicked out of the house. Stay there and protect them. They will not forgive you easily if you don't. If she wants a divorce then let her find her own means of accommodation. If she becomes violent take the kids and call the cops. At least in a jail cell she is safe. Trying to restrain her on your own may cause her to tell people you are abusive. People who are manic can be very convincing. And keep notes. Lots of notes. If you end up with a custody battle you will need them. The system is bias towards the mother.

Until she gets medical treatment she is a danger to herself and others. Do your best to protect her, but not at the expense of yourself or the children. The hydrocodone may be causing some of this, but unless there was a lot of it, it is probably more mania than anything else. Give the rest of it to a pharmacy for proper disposal.

This may all sound very harsh, and I guess it is. When she crashes (and if she is manic she will crash) that is the time you can help. If she is manic chances of her getting treatment is pretty low because she feels great and everyone else has the problem.

If you love her, and it sounds like you do, you will protect those children because when she comes down from the high she will regret keenly what she has done to them. The more severe she was the worse she will feel.

Tough situation and I am sorry you have to go through it.

[ILADVOCATE]

    Yes that can if misused worsen the symptoms of bipolar and other psychiatric disabilities. A person with a psychiatric disability can also sometimes self medicate with illegal drugs or taking prescription medications for purposes other than intended. If she combined the contents of several bottles into one that's of extreme concern because a person who would do that could potentially have suicidal ideations  Its crucial that people encourage her to seek help as soon as possible and if she is not in medical need of these prescriptions take them away from her and if they are no longer needed medically discard them. She may be in need of immediate psychiatric help.