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Dual Diagnosis--Remission with Black Coffee by James Rist Dear Dual Diagnosis Forum Members, My name is Jim, and I have labored for years with BPI and alcoholism/addiction (buzzword--dual diagnosis). I am now officially in remission. I have generally followed all the "rules" for recovery from BP and from addiction, not with perfection, but, as I see it, with constant progress (and some setbacks too, right?). All during my recovery, everyone told me that I would just have "to learn to deal with life on life's terms"--"get USED to it", in other words. But, you see, even in remission I still have this "manic energy"--the energy that has fueled so many of my relapses. So, as long as the manic energy exists, there will always be a question of how to spend it safely. I fixed up my patio and started a garden. I think I'll call it my victory garden. ...why NOT!? Lynnie, my wife, asked me today if I had finished up the patio and the garden, and I glibly replied that I still had this and that to do. Yet, a few minutes later, I realized that my "victory", as with my garden, is a work in progress--and a "project" which will always require my attention. I have always drunk my coffee with cream. When I look at my garden and when I consider that annoying phrase, "learn to deal with life on life's terms", I realize that "getting used to it" has a negative connotation (as in putting up with something unpleasant, for my own good). Remission is MORE than getting used to life on life's terms. Suddenly I know that life is like black coffee. It has a flavor of its own. My name is Jim, and I like my coffee black these days. Won't you join me for a cup of black coffee? With love and friendship, Jim James A Rist
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