Bi-polar Disorder and Substance Abuse

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mood disorder that is broken down into subtypes. The disease is sometimes referred to as manic depression, and sufferers will experience dramatic changes in mood, energy and activity levels that significantly impair their daily functioning. These severe mood changes can last for weeks or sometimes months. In many cases, bipolar patients will need to be hospitalized for these dramatic mood shifts. Changes in mood can range from manic highs and severe lows.

Around 2.8% of the U.S. adult population has experienced a bipolar episode in the past year. Both men and women are equally affected by the disorder.

Unfortunately, substance abuse rates are much higher in bipolar patients than in the general population. Recent surveys have found that 40% of people with bipolar disorder have a co-occurring SUD. Out of all mental health disorders, bipolar disorder has the highest rate of comorbidities. While untreated bipolar disorder increases the likelihood of injury and other poor life outcomes, a co-occurring substance use disorder compounds these problems.

Additionally, co-occurring substance use disorders can make it even more difficult for clinicians to accurately diagnose bipolar disorder and get patients the help they need. It takes bipolar patients an average of ten years of seeking treatment to get an accurate diagnosis. During this time, many people with untreated bipolar disorder will turn to drugs or alcohol to find relief for their symptoms. In some cases, alcohol or drug use can trigger bipolar disorder.

Although women and men experience similar rates of bipolar disorder, more men with bipolar disorder will have a co-occurring SUD than women. Most often, the substance is alcohol. People with bipolar 1 are more like to abuse drugs and also alcohol than people with either bipolar 2 or cyclothymia.

Also, patients who have bipolar disorder and a co-occurring substance use disorder experience earlier ages of onset for both issues. These patients also tend to experience more hospitalizations than bipolar patients who do not have a co-occurring SUD. An earlier age of onset can be both a cause and also a consequence of bipolar disorder.

• Alcohol
• Cannabis
• Cocaine
• Opioids

It can be challenging to treat both bipolar disorder and substance use disorder on their own. Together, treatment methods must be even more delicate and precise. Giving the wrong medication to a bipolar patient can put them at risk of suicide or aggressive behavior. Because of the challenges involved in treating co-occurring bipolar disorder and substance abuse, an integrated approach with both medications and therapy and family interventions is often warranted.

Bipolar patients with co-occurring SUD will often need to stay for some time in a medical detox and inpatient rehabilitation facility. Doctors are available 24/7 in these facilities to monitor patients and make sure they are given the correct medication for their diagnosis. Also, integrated therapy, where patients can identify with help from a trained therapist their triggers and how to cope without substances is best for treating both the mood disorder and SUD. Integrated treatment methods, where both the mental health disorder and substance abuse disorder are addressed and treated simultaneously give bipolar patients the best outcomes.

Although these two disorders are challenging to treat, treatment and recovery are possible. SUD and bipolar disorder are lifelong illnesses, but inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation facilities give patients, access to trained therapists, doctors, and social workers who can help them create an ongoing maintenance and treatment plan.

With ongoing treatment, patients are better able to avoid triggers and deal with stressors in everyday life without resorting to drugs or alcohol. Ongoing, contingency plans for bipolar patients also enable them to better manage their care for life. If medications need changing or adjusted, an ongoing treatment plan gives patients quicker, more efficient access to doctors and clinicians who understand their disorder and their history, and how to best treat it.

Bipolar disorder is a severe mental health condition, but it is treatable. Patients who can receive integrated, personalized care can go on to live a life free from the disruption of bipolar symptoms. If you or a loved one are struggling with bipolar disorder and substance abuse, please reach out to qualified mental health counselor today to explore your treatment options.