Jo and Shannon - GREAT news!

I am SOOOOO happy for you, Liz!  Sounds like he got a wake up call!  Until he is stable, tho, don't absolutely count on it - until he is stable, he is still very sick.  That's the way this disease can go, esp. when BPs are really really sick.  Do you have the meds he didn't take in the house?  Get them down him quick!! And your family doc is not equipped to treat BP.  It takes a specialist.

Is he on social security disability?  If so, he has Medicare and they will pay for a lot of his stay, but you need to look up the benefits of 2005, Google: medicare pays hospital stay 2005.  There are a lot of different variances.  If he doesn't have disability, ask your parents if they can add him as a dependent.  Most all mental hospitals treat substance abuse along with the disease at the same time.  He will dry out during the stay and get tons of counseling - all day.  They will get him stabilized before he leaves.  He cannot sign himself out until the hospital releases him and all the doors are locked.  They will get a court order to keep him if he persists.  I have also been a patient inside several times!!

Also, until he dries out, he will continue to drink and seek drugs.  He is addicted and cannot go without, (I've been there as well)  otherwise he WILL get ragey again.  If it takes too long to get him on your parent's insurance, find a county hospital, they are either free or on a sliding scale.  Most hospitals have an outpatient treatment counseling program after the inpatient stay.

Now for the possibly not so good news:  Since he is obviously type I, when he starts his meds, look for the "crash".  He will likely be slow, not "with it", maybe very depressed for a while.  It usually doesn't go from mania to perfectly stable.  Lithium doesn't stop the crash.  Most docs will prescribe Lamictal, also a mild mood stabilizer that has a really good antidepressant effect on BPs, but isn't the dangerous kind like real "antidepressants" (SSRIs).  The latter will cause mania, guaranteed in Type I.

As for where he stays, well that's up to you.  While he is recovering, he really is going to need someone there round the clock to monitor him, emotionally support him, make sure he takes his meds.  BPs when they start meds will frequently stop them due to the crash.  It feels awful and can go on for weeks, sometimes a month or two.  It happened to me, and all I thought abuot was suicide.  Unfortunately, my doc just kept telling me I wasn't used to being "normal".  What a joke.  I got a new one. This is a worse case scenario, it may not be that bad for him if he gets lamictal.  My doc was so afraid of the mania in me, she didn't.

When he gets "well", it would be great to stay with you, he would be busy and that is important to us.

Keep us posted on a daily basis if you can!  I love to help, it's what I live for!  I am on about 6 forums, not all BP, many general medical ( I did Internal medicine for several years, also).  It makes me feel like I am giving back, even tho I am not working.  Good karma haha!

But do get him into the hospital as soon as you can, becuase even when he is on meds, there is still the issue of the substance abuse and he won't get stable until he stops.

If you have any questions, please ask! Kisses!

Liz, Yes that is so good to hear GOOD news!It was a huge relief to see your brother was ok, I'm sure.(Been there, too, with my son!)I agree with psychnurse that he needs to be gotten on some kind of insurance and as soon as possible..my son's on disability and gets his hospital stays paid for..and meds, etc.So if he can't work start the ball rolling as soon as possible on Social Security benefits.(my ex and I had to get him a lawyer to push this on through, but it 's worth it in the end!It would be extremely tough trying to manage without the coverage..meds aren't cheap!)And not trying to sound like a 'downer', but like psychnurse said, be ready for the flip side of this sweet side.This is the part that keeps us ALL(sufferers and family members alike)off center, I think.The swings back and forth between sweet and fierce in their personalties.It never totally goes away, but can be managed with meds and therapy.I am seeking help and support for me and my younger son, to deal with exactly that..the changes and frustration that WE have to deal with.Most cities have a an organization called NAMI(National Alliance for the Mentally Ill)...I looked it up online and found the leaders of ours in my town and they have support group meetings, and even some sort of classes coming up in the fall.Support is what we need, my friend, because we can't do this alone!It is just too overwhelming to deal with these things and all of our other life's responsibilities!!!!If they were all we had to deal with 24/7, maybe we could do it, but that is simply not the case!I also have an aging mother who lives in another state, am unemployed and searching for work, etc, etc etc.............life needs energy and constant worry and powerlessness is a drain!So keep posting and check what programs you might find online for your area.take care.............

Liz, that's great!  I was wondering today if you were going to keep us updated.  I am so glad you are feeling hopeful and living in peace now.  Take care.