Bipolar Support Group

Hi everyone,

I will post an introduction shortly, but I am in immediate need of a recommendation for a good treatment center or hospital for my husband.

We are looking for inpatient care that will primarily focus on his bipolar, with a secondary focus on addiction.

Looking for something that is in the west -- California is preferable, but anything in the western states will be considered.

Please help. He's not doing well at all and I want to get him the help he needs before he gets too manic and decides he doesn't need help after all.

Just some background: He was dx'd in June, 2001 and we went through about a year of trying different meds, etc. but also had addiction problems. Went into a crisis hospital for 14 days on suicide watch (voluntary) and addiction, but it was an awful place (crisis only - very limited care and basically a full "lock-in" facility). I had to ask him to move out when he got out because he was still so unstable and putting our family at risk.

Once he started to stabilize (after a suicide attempt and lots of med changes) he moved back in with us and has been stable on meds for 6 years but still had addiction problems.

We recently had a traumatic thing happen that sent him into a full-blown bipolar relapse. It's been 4 weeks and he is in a mixed state or rapid cycling horribly. He increased meds, but he's also abusing substances, so no relief yet. He's at the end of his rope and I fear he will become suicidal or full-blown reckless soon. He wants help and we just need to find the right place.

Thanks so much...

I was inpatient for about 6 weeks at The Meadows in Wickenburg Az right outside of Phoenix. I know it is a good place to go for addictions. You see a psychiatrist while you are there and get your medications adjusted. I provided a link for you. John Bradshaw is on staff there now as is Pia Mellody.

http://www.themeadows.org/index.html

There are 2 clinics that I know are good ones. Del Amo in California and Menninger in Texas, I am thinking of going to one myself

Ele,

Thank you so much for your reply. Can you tell me if they worked specifically and daily with bipolar symptoms? He's really hoping for a complete approach...keeps saying he want to be able to talk about the bipolar symptoms with a doctor more than once a week.

Any other info you could give would be really apreciated. I'm feeling pretty scared about not picking the right place. Actually, I'm just scared about everything rght now.

Haunted - thank you for the recommendations -- I looked at Menninger earlier today and I like how it wasn't as restrictive as other places. My husband is interested in a more open campus type environment. I'm worried they won't take our insurance (wow they are expensive!!) but I plan to call them anyway.

I wish you well in your own exploration of inpatient care.

I was undiagnosed bp at the time. I know there were bipolars there I just don't know what the treatment approach is. You might want to call them and find out. My diagnosis at the time was major depression and post traumatic stress with generalized anxiety and a host of other things to go along with alcoholism.

I have no advice on facilities to recommened but hope you will be able to find something soon. If he is using that is also not good.....I used cocaine for many years but went to rehab and have been clean since. Is there a hotline you could call to get info that is possible for you in your area. My prayers are with you!!!!