H Bent,
I just jolined today and it looks like a good site, supportive and full of good info. I am Bipolar 1 and it has been a long road to get to this point and be on meds that make me pretty stable. My partner (ex) and i were doing cocaine and ecstacy approx 2008-2009 and it brought on Bipolar in me. My doc explained it is called 'kindling', in other words I had the predisposition but the severe ups and downs of the drug use brought it on.
I have the highs but am mostly depressive which sucks. I am on Tegretol, an anticonvulsant that works as a mood stabilizer, and abilify which controls the depression most of the time. My mania consisted of extreme agitation and anxiety. Just wanted to say HI and let you know you are not alone!