I am recently-ish sober, and realizing it is extremely beneficial. Because of this, I've experienced my first manic episode completely sober. No dulling effects from alcohol. And it was INTENSE. Without drinking, a huge trigger anyway, I was able to manage OK (still did some damage on my credit card, but nothing life-altering). 

I'm now out of the manic phase, but again, without the dulling effects of alcohol, I feel like I've really crashed hard. I'm tired and cranky and unmotivated. I don't feel depressed at all, but damn I am missing that manic energy! Does this happen to anyone else, and if so, how do you manage?