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The Bipolar Addict: Drinks, Drugs, Delirium & Why Sober Is the New Cool
The Bipolar Addict: Drinks, Drugs, Delirium & Why Sober Is the New Cool
provides an insider’s look into the world of those suffering from manic depression plus addiction. These true stories of survival, including the author’s own, offer insight into the oft-maligned world of mental illness, as well as a frequently overlooked, endlessly fascinating facet of the human condition.
250 pages, Paperback
First published June 21, 2019
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62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
October 22, 2024
Edgar Allan Poe. Sinéad O'Connor. Vincent Van Gogh. Ernest Hemingway. Kurt Cobain. Winston Churchill. Amy Winehouse. Carrie Fisher. Brian Wilson.
This is just a portion of a much longer list of talented people who had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Some of these people found a way to manage their diagnosis. Some of these people struggled with addiction. Some of these people ended their own lives.
Conor Bezane's memoir, The Bipolar Addict , explores the particular challenges of those with a dual diagnosis - bipolar disorder and substance addiction.
As Bezane explains, a bipolar diagnosis frequently goes hand-in-hand with addiction. Initially, anyway. The cycle of mania and depression screams out for the crutch of drugs and alcohol (although more recent studies, since this book was published, suggest that there is a genetic correlation between bipolar and substance addiction).
The statistics are frighteningly plain - there are 5.7 million bipolar Americans and 60 percent of them are addicts (it was difficult to find an Australian comparison, although currently 2.9% of Australians aged 16 and over, or 568,000 people, have a bipolar diagnosis.
Bezane charts his own journey from anxious child and high-school misfit (who found his tribe in the punk music scene) to drinking and partying through university and the beginning of his career as a writer at MTV.
Throughout his adult years, he experienced periods of deep depression and then mania, marked by spending sprees, benders and being extremely creative and productive at work (or so it seemed to him).
Ultimately, Bezane's family staged an intervention and with time in rehab, he became sober and better managed his medication for bipolar. His love of music and writing have been instrumental in maintaining sobriety, allowing him to find focus and a new community.
The final third of the book features stories about the people Bezane met during his rehab - it's not all happy endings, but each of the stories highlights the particular difficulties faced by people with a dual diagnosis, and the need for supports in order to maintain sobriety.
Bezane's writing is straightforward, frank and at times quite shocking. His honesty about the extent of his alcohol and drug consumption is confronting, and I felt so sad about the lengths he went to in order to hide what was going on in his life - no one ever wakes up one day and decides to become an alcoholic, right? The book lost pace at the end with the stories about others - although somewhat interesting, they lacked the depth and the honesty of Bezane's first-person perspective.
3/5
I received my copy of The Bipolar Addict from the publisher, Redwood Digital Publishing, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This is just a portion of a much longer list of talented people who had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Some of these people found a way to manage their diagnosis. Some of these people struggled with addiction. Some of these people ended their own lives.
Conor Bezane's memoir, The Bipolar Addict , explores the particular challenges of those with a dual diagnosis - bipolar disorder and substance addiction.
As Bezane explains, a bipolar diagnosis frequently goes hand-in-hand with addiction. Initially, anyway. The cycle of mania and depression screams out for the crutch of drugs and alcohol (although more recent studies, since this book was published, suggest that there is a genetic correlation between bipolar and substance addiction).
The addiction continues when the coin is flipped and mania turns to depression. Now that you're on the downslide, you'll do anything to regain the euphoria you lost, or just make yourself feel slightly better than the agony brought on by the crushing blackness swallowing you.
The statistics are frighteningly plain - there are 5.7 million bipolar Americans and 60 percent of them are addicts (it was difficult to find an Australian comparison, although currently 2.9% of Australians aged 16 and over, or 568,000 people, have a bipolar diagnosis.
Bezane charts his own journey from anxious child and high-school misfit (who found his tribe in the punk music scene) to drinking and partying through university and the beginning of his career as a writer at MTV.
I've been drinking every single day for the past five years. At this point, I'm rather certain I could outdrink Kill 'Em All-era James Hetfield of Metallica, a band whose consumption was so legendary in the '80s that it earned the named Alcoholica. I'm also on seven different drugs for my bipolar disorder.
Throughout his adult years, he experienced periods of deep depression and then mania, marked by spending sprees, benders and being extremely creative and productive at work (or so it seemed to him).
I long for the mania that so often comes with being bipolar, and being drunk feels almost like it.
Ultimately, Bezane's family staged an intervention and with time in rehab, he became sober and better managed his medication for bipolar. His love of music and writing have been instrumental in maintaining sobriety, allowing him to find focus and a new community.
The final third of the book features stories about the people Bezane met during his rehab - it's not all happy endings, but each of the stories highlights the particular difficulties faced by people with a dual diagnosis, and the need for supports in order to maintain sobriety.
...regardless of which problem came first, and which may have contributed to the cause of the other (and this can happen in either direction...), once bipolar disorder and addiction are present, each one requires specific treatment. Furthermore, there may be other issues. Most of the people in this book had significant trauma issues... These issues also require specific attention...
Bezane's writing is straightforward, frank and at times quite shocking. His honesty about the extent of his alcohol and drug consumption is confronting, and I felt so sad about the lengths he went to in order to hide what was going on in his life - no one ever wakes up one day and decides to become an alcoholic, right? The book lost pace at the end with the stories about others - although somewhat interesting, they lacked the depth and the honesty of Bezane's first-person perspective.
3/5
I received my copy of The Bipolar Addict from the publisher, Redwood Digital Publishing, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
April 7, 2019
The Bipolar Addict was a fast read. I consumed the book in one night. I am not usually one to read memoirs, but I found this one interesting. The memoir really nailed what being Bipolar is like. The euphoria. The highs and lows. The addictions. Conor’s life is interesting.
It was also humbling to read Conor’s story. It made me realize how lucky I was that I never became an addict. I came very close to becoming an alcoholic in my 20’s, but I stopped one night after driving home drunk. It’s been about 14 years now.
I had many different emotions when reading parts of Conor’s memoir. I laughed when Conor stated, “He says this as cheerfully as if we’re about to throw an ice cream party, not put me on trial”. This is in reference to the mediator that was there “helping” Conor during the intervention. I got annoyed with the Ted guy for speaking out against taking Bipolar meds when Conor spoke to his therapy group about his dual diagnosis. I cried when Conor read his essay to the therapy group and came clean about his previous drug use. That was such a cathartic experience.
The only critique I have for the book is during Conor’s story. He would bounce from one topic to another without segue. For instance, in one paragraph he writes about drunk kissing Andy on the dance floor, and in the next paragraph he has come out to his sister. Upon further reflection, I think he used this style on purpose to show how a manic mind works.
I loved all of the musical references. I even downloaded some of the songs that were mentioned. I was also reminded about the day that Kurt Cobain died. It makes sense that he was Bipolar. It’s just so heartbreaking. All of the stories were heavy, and Conor ended the book on a lighter note. It was a great read.
I received a copy of "The Bipolar Addict" from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It was also humbling to read Conor’s story. It made me realize how lucky I was that I never became an addict. I came very close to becoming an alcoholic in my 20’s, but I stopped one night after driving home drunk. It’s been about 14 years now.
I had many different emotions when reading parts of Conor’s memoir. I laughed when Conor stated, “He says this as cheerfully as if we’re about to throw an ice cream party, not put me on trial”. This is in reference to the mediator that was there “helping” Conor during the intervention. I got annoyed with the Ted guy for speaking out against taking Bipolar meds when Conor spoke to his therapy group about his dual diagnosis. I cried when Conor read his essay to the therapy group and came clean about his previous drug use. That was such a cathartic experience.
The only critique I have for the book is during Conor’s story. He would bounce from one topic to another without segue. For instance, in one paragraph he writes about drunk kissing Andy on the dance floor, and in the next paragraph he has come out to his sister. Upon further reflection, I think he used this style on purpose to show how a manic mind works.
I loved all of the musical references. I even downloaded some of the songs that were mentioned. I was also reminded about the day that Kurt Cobain died. It makes sense that he was Bipolar. It’s just so heartbreaking. All of the stories were heavy, and Conor ended the book on a lighter note. It was a great read.
I received a copy of "The Bipolar Addict" from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2019
As someone who lives with bipolar disorder, I found this book very intriguing. I was instantly connected to so many things that the author talked about! The feeling of mania and feel like the highest high, like you, can do anything and nothing can stop you is one I understand so well. Going through adolescent years where he wasn't really sure of where he belonged, he can look back and realize he'd been suffering from depression. Not only that, but he can now recognize the periods of hypomania. As he struggled to find his place in the world, his sexuality as well as his diagnosis. Through all of that, he begins his love affair with alcohol. Its that love affair that brings him some of the roughest and devastating times of his life. It's through intervention, love, support, sense of faith and rehab that brings him to a different place. A place where he has to learn how to live with sobriety and his diagnosis. It's not an easy road, but he does his best. I love how he explains how certain actions would help calm his bipolar brain. his thoughtful insight to not only his past and recovery but how bipolar disorder affects him as a person. I love that he is trying to break the stereotypes of the disorder! He also shares interviews with several other people and how they have come through their journey living with staying clean and the disorder. I felt a good connection to their stories. Conor has done a wonderful job of showcasing that there is hope for a better life for anyone living with all of these things. A really wonderful read!
December 19, 2025
The Bipolar Addict: Drinks, Drugs, Delirium & Why Sober Is the New Cool is not a book you simply read, it’s one you recognize.
With raw honesty and no romanticizing, the author takes us inside the lived reality of bipolar disorder and addiction. The manic highs are exposed as dangerous illusions, the depressive lows as suffocating realities, and addiction as survival gone wrong. These are not statistics or stereotypes, but real people, artists, professionals, and thinkers quietly fighting to stay alive.
The cultural references to figures like Poe, Van Gogh, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, and Carrie Fisher deepen the message without glamorizing suffering. The book challenges the myth that madness fuels creativity and instead reframes sobriety as an act of rebellion, survival, and strength.
This book is compassionate, unflinching, and deeply human. It’s essential reading for anyone living with bipolar disorder, addiction, or for those who want to truly understand what that life feels like from the inside.
With raw honesty and no romanticizing, the author takes us inside the lived reality of bipolar disorder and addiction. The manic highs are exposed as dangerous illusions, the depressive lows as suffocating realities, and addiction as survival gone wrong. These are not statistics or stereotypes, but real people, artists, professionals, and thinkers quietly fighting to stay alive.
The cultural references to figures like Poe, Van Gogh, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, and Carrie Fisher deepen the message without glamorizing suffering. The book challenges the myth that madness fuels creativity and instead reframes sobriety as an act of rebellion, survival, and strength.
This book is compassionate, unflinching, and deeply human. It’s essential reading for anyone living with bipolar disorder, addiction, or for those who want to truly understand what that life feels like from the inside.
December 19, 2025
The Bipolar Addict: Drinks, Drugs, Delirium & Why Sober Is the New Cool is not a book you simply read, it’s one you recognize.
With raw honesty and no romanticizing, the author takes us inside the lived reality of bipolar disorder and addiction. The manic highs are exposed as dangerous illusions, the depressive lows as suffocating realities, and addiction as survival gone wrong. These are not statistics or stereotypes, but real people, artists, professionals, and thinkers quietly fighting to stay alive.
The cultural references to figures like Poe, Van Gogh, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, and Carrie Fisher deepen the message without glamorizing suffering. The book challenges the myth that madness fuels creativity and instead reframes sobriety as an act of rebellion, survival, and strength.
This book is compassionate, unflinching, and deeply human. It’s essential reading for anyone living with bipolar disorder, addiction, or for those who want to truly understand what that life feels like from the inside.
With raw honesty and no romanticizing, the author takes us inside the lived reality of bipolar disorder and addiction. The manic highs are exposed as dangerous illusions, the depressive lows as suffocating realities, and addiction as survival gone wrong. These are not statistics or stereotypes, but real people, artists, professionals, and thinkers quietly fighting to stay alive.
The cultural references to figures like Poe, Van Gogh, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, and Carrie Fisher deepen the message without glamorizing suffering. The book challenges the myth that madness fuels creativity and instead reframes sobriety as an act of rebellion, survival, and strength.
This book is compassionate, unflinching, and deeply human. It’s essential reading for anyone living with bipolar disorder, addiction, or for those who want to truly understand what that life feels like from the inside.
March 12, 2019
I received a copy of "The Bipolar Addict" from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley! I am always interested in any book about addiction and mental health as I am a recovering alcoholic myself so I can relate to SO much of what is written. I myself am not bipolar but I have many people that I love who are diagnosed bipolar and struggle with addiction so I was very interested in this book. I loved the honesty in this book about both the author's addiction struggles and his bipolar struggles. I think this book would be great for anyone who is struggling with dual diagnosis. These types of books make people feel not so alone and not so unique which is important. I appreciated his humor as well. Highly recommend!
June 14, 2019
The first half of this book tells Conor’s story of having Bipolar and also being a drug and alcohol addict. It looks at the link between the mood changes and the use of the drugs and alcohol and how recovery isn’t easy but it is possible as long as you do what works for you and work with a doctor to figure out the best medication.
The second half shows other people from Chicago from a mixture of social classes who have bipolar and struggle with addiction showing that often the two go hand in hand,
I found it really interesting to read and I do believe that if someone with bipolar and addiction struggles read it then they would gain the perspective that they don’t need to go through it alone and that there is help for both, not just one or the other.
The second half shows other people from Chicago from a mixture of social classes who have bipolar and struggle with addiction showing that often the two go hand in hand,
I found it really interesting to read and I do believe that if someone with bipolar and addiction struggles read it then they would gain the perspective that they don’t need to go through it alone and that there is help for both, not just one or the other.
December 19, 2025
The Bipolar Addict: Drinks, Drugs, Delirium & Why Sober Is the New Cool is a fearless and deeply personal look at life where bipolar disorder and addiction collide. Through raw, true stories including the author’s own the book strips away stigma and exposes the emotional reality behind mania, substance abuse, and survival. Honest, gripping, and unexpectedly hopeful, it reframes sobriety not as a loss, but as a powerful act of self-reclamation. This is an eye-opening, compassionate read that gives voice to a world too often misunderstood.
December 19, 2025
This book felt like someone finally put into words the chaos I have lived with for years. The stories are raw without being overwhelming, and honest without feeling hopeless. What stayed with me most is the reminder that addiction and bipolar disorder often feed each other in ways outsiders rarely understand. The author does not glamorize the pain, but also does not strip away dignity. Instead, the book offers something rare, validation. It made me feel less alone and more capable of believing that stability is possible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2025
When Will Introduced this books and others to the club for discussion i didn't really think of it as a thing but it really connects deeply, The strength of this book lies in its honesty. The author does not shy away from the messy realities of addiction and bipolar disorder, but also refuses to define people by their worst moments. Each story reinforces the idea that recovery is possible, even after repeated setbacks. I finished the book feeling inspired, grounded, and more compassionate toward myself and others.
August 17, 2023
This book is amazing! One I can relate to very much. The author does a great job with detailing his life and his struggles and challenges with these diseases, and his sexual orientation. And I love that there is a second half to this book that has stories from others going through it. I believe this book very much has potential to be helpful for those dealing with someone going through these co-occuring diseases.
December 19, 2025
As someone who loves a person with bipolar disorder and addiction, this book changed how I understand them. It helped me see the constant tug-of-war happening inside between mood, impulse, shame, and the desire to feel “normal.” I appreciated how compassionate the tone is, especially toward families who want to help but don’t always know how. This should be required reading for anyone trying to understand dual diagnosis.
December 19, 2025
As someone who loves a person with bipolar disorder and addiction, this book helped me understand things I never could before. The author explains the pull of substances in a way that finally made sense to me emotionally, not just intellectually. These stories gave me empathy instead of frustration and patience instead of fear. I came away with a deeper understanding of how recovery is not a straight line, but a series of brave choices made every day.
December 19, 2025
This is not a clinical guide or a lecture. It is a collection of lived experiences that feel deeply human and relatable. The author’s voice is warm and honest, making even difficult topics feel approachable. I appreciated how the book balances realism with hope, never promising easy answers but always reinforcing that sobriety and stability are achievable. It is a powerful reminder that people living with dual diagnosis are not broken, they are resilient.
September 29, 2020
This book is definitely an eye opener to the world of bipolar. My mother is bipolar and half the time I thought she was just making excuses. She used to be an on the go person and one day, she shut down. So, if you have relatives or friends that have bipolar, this book is worth checking out. It will give you some insight on what they go through.
December 19, 2025
This book gave me something I didn’t know I needed: permission to believe recovery is possible without pretending it’s simple. The stories acknowledge relapse, chaos, and fear, but they also show growth, accountability, and hard-earned stability. It’s not inspirational in a fake way it’s inspiring because it’s true.
December 19, 2025
What stayed with me most is how human this book feels. The author doesn’t position themselves as an expert looking down, they’re standing right in the mess with you. The writing is accessible, compassionate, and real. If you’re newly diagnosed, struggling with sobriety, or trying to support someone who is, this book offers understanding before it offers answers and that matters.
December 19, 2025
This is a short book, but it carries a lot of weight. Each story feels intentional, like it was chosen because it reveals something essential about living with bipolar disorder and addiction at the same time. There’s no glamorizing here, just honesty, resilience, and the reminder that addiction is a disease, not a failure of character. I finished it feeling less alone.
December 19, 2025
I started this thinking it would be informative. I didn’t expect it to be emotional. Some chapters hit close enough that I had to stop and breathe. The author’s voice is open and approachable, which makes even the hardest moments feel honest rather than overwhelming. This is a book that stays with you after you finish it.
December 19, 2025
I was newly diagnosed when I picked up this book, and I cannot overstate how much it helped me. Reading these stories felt like sitting in a room with people who truly get it. The book reassured me that what I was experiencing was not a personal failure, but part of a complex illness that can be treated. It gave me hope during a time when everything felt uncertain and overwhelming.
December 19, 2025
What struck me most is how quietly brave these stories are. No dramatic speeches, no miracle cures just people trying to survive their own minds and make better choices one day at a time. It’s sobering, grounding, and strangely comforting. I found myself highlighting passages because they put feelings into words I’ve never been able to explain.
December 19, 2025
This book changed how I think about addiction. Instead of moral judgment, it offers understanding. Instead of shame, it offers connection. The author explains how substances can feel like relief during manic or depressive episodes, which helped me see why sobriety can be such a challenge. It is a powerful argument for viewing addiction as a treatable disease rather than a character flaw.
December 19, 2025
I’ve read books on bipolar disorder and I’ve read books on addiction, but very few that truly understand what it’s like when the two collide. The Bipolar Addict gets that intersection right. The mood swings, the impulsivity, the self-medicating it’s all here, written with compassion instead of shame. This book made me feel understood rather than analyzed.
December 19, 2025
As someone in long term recovery, this book reminded me why sobriety matters. It captures the early chaos, the denial, and the moments of clarity that lead to change. It also acknowledges how difficult it can be to stay sober when moods swing unpredictably. The message that sober can be empowering rather than restrictive really resonated with me.
August 17, 2020
Helpful in understanding the stories of addicts. Hopeful in that some can end well. Realistic in that some end painfully with sorrow. Overall I found it worth reading if you love an addict with mental health. It made me more empathetic.
December 19, 2025
This book felt like a mirror. I saw my own experiences reflected in ways I had never seen in print before. The mix of personal storytelling and broader insight makes it both intimate and educational. It helped me feel seen and reminded me that recovery is not about perfection, but persistence
December 19, 2025
This is a book I wish I had read years ago. It would have saved me a lot of self blame and confusion. The author speaks with honesty and warmth, creating a safe space for readers to confront difficult truths without feeling judged. It is both comforting and motivating.
December 19, 2025
The stories in this book feel real because they are real. They do not follow neat arcs or tidy endings, which makes them even more impactful. I appreciated how the author emphasizes progress over perfection and recovery over shame. It is a book that stays with you long after you finish reading.
December 19, 2025
This book resonates well with me i feel so connected
December 19, 2025
This book made me feel seen in a way few others have. The stories are raw honest and hopeful without sugarcoating the struggle of bipolar disorder and addiction.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews