I have bipolar disorder and used to have sexual compulsions. I think that it had something to do with the feel-good hormones associated with sex. My logic here is that when I was in the throes of bp, the few things that made me feel better were eating, marijuana, and sex...All of which stimulate the release of desirable chemicals in the brain.

I take lamictal, and it has brought my sexual compulsion under control without killing my libido completely.

Thank you for your response! I will check into that medication. Also hard to find a medication that does not completely take away your libido! Almost a no win situation. Did this med also help with your marijana and eating?

Well, the lamictal certainly helped with my mood swings, so being less volatile emotionally meant that I needed marijuana less. Regardless, anyone using recreational drugs to self-medicate has to make the decision and commitment to quit. No other drug will help with that.

As for appetite, lamictal had no effect on it. In fact, my appetite improved simply because I was depressed less.

I agree with you on:
"regardless, anyone using recreational drugs to self-medicate has to make the decision and commitment to quit."
but also encouraging to know that the medication you started taking helped you to need these addictions less...Making it easier to make that commitment to quit.
Your messages have been very encouraging to me! Sometimes, you just wonder if there is light at the end of this tunnel and your the only one that is going through this!! And although, I hate that fact that you are also going through this, nice knowing you are not going through it alone!...Regardless if you are the one suffering from bp or the care giver.
Tomorrow we have an appt with the dr and I am really praying that they get my husband on the correct meds he needs and can encourage him to realize the addictions are doing more damage than good. To find a med like yourself that ables you, to realize that you need these addictions less. Thank you for openess to me and helping me to understand!

It is a familiar thing. A few months before I was dignosed with adhd & bipolar my sex drive was unbareable. And effecting my everyday life.
I orginally got dignosed like most with depression. Zoloft simply muted my sex drive. I didnt have much of a drive. But I knew it was still there.
In regards to meds. I read something yesterday on a site. Wish I had of bookmarked it now. That sometimes sex addiction is treated short term with a form of anti depressents. Whilst being in some sort of therapy to learn how to use that sexual enegry in a more produtive manner.
Then eventually coming off the anti d's.

Hope that was helpful.