Bipolar disorder on its own is a challenging diagnosis, but it becomes even more complex when you’re also struggling with addiction.
Even so, with the right support and treatment for bipolar disorder and addiction, recovery is possible.
Understanding the nature of both conditions and how they relate is important. An integrated treatment approach, known as dual diagnosis, is also needed. Dual-diagnosis treatment for bipolar disorder and addiction can help you achieve long-term stability and well-being.
What to Know About Bipolar Disorder
A mental condition, bipolar disorder is characterized by significant mood swings.[1] Sometimes, it’s also called manic depression.
Mood changes include emotional highs—mania or hypomania—and lows, such as depression. Mood swings can affect your behavior, energy levels and ability to function and perform tasks in your daily life.
- Bipolar I: This type of disorder includes severe manic episodes and usually major depression. Manic episodes can be so intense they, at times, require hospitalization.
- Bipolar II: This form of bipolar includes less severe manic episodes, which are known as hypomania. Depressive episodes also occur in Bipolar II disorder. Since hypomania is less intense, Bipolar II doesn’t often require hospitalization but can still have a big impact on functioning in daily life.
- Cyclothymic disorder: This form of bipolar includes moods that chronically fluctuate. There are episodes of hypomania and depression, but they’re less severe than what’s seen in bipolar I or II.
During manic or hypomanic episodes, symptoms include:
- High energy levels.
- Increased activity.
- Euphoria.
- Reduced need for sleep.
- Racing thoughts.
- Grandiosity.
- Impulsive behavior.
Depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder can include:
- Fatigue.
- Sadness.
- Hopelessness.
- Problems concentrating.
- Changes in appetite and sleep.
- Thoughts of death or suicide (in severe cases).
What Is Addiction?
Addiction or substance use disorders are also a medical condition and are complex. When you struggle with addiction, you compulsively use substances even though it’s creating adverse consequences. Addiction affects your brain’s reward system. You lose control over substance use and can’t stop even as you face harmful outcomes.
Addiction can significantly change the structure and function of the brain.
Why Do Bipolar and Addiction Co-Occur?
Co-occurring bipolar disorder and addiction are relatively common. A lot of overlapping factors influence the relationship. This is true with other mental health conditions as well.
For example, both bipolar disorder and addiction have a strong genetic component. There are genetic factors thought to predispose someone to both mood and substance disorders.
There are often similarities in brain chemistry and structure with both conditions.
There’s also the self-medication theory. People with bipolar disorder might turn to addictive drugs or alcohol to deal with symptoms.
For example, during depressive episodes, alcohol or drugs could be used to numb feelings of sadness. During manic or hypomanic episodes, they could be used to increase energy levels further and prolong feelings of euphoria, or depressants could be a way to calm down.
The side effects of medicines used to treat bipolar disorder might also be tough to deal with. Some people may use addictive substances as a way to lessen these side effects.
Substances can worsen bipolar symptoms, making mood swings more frequent and intense. It can also interfere with treatment, complicating medication management and increasing the likelihood of not complying with treatment plans.
Additionally, stressful events in life and your environment can trigger mood disorders as well as substance use. When you have bipolar disorder, you’re especially vulnerable to stress, leading to episodes of mania or depression. That can then lead you to use substances as a way to cope.
Up to 40% of bipolar I patients experience a substance use disorder at some point in their lives.[2]
Treatment for Bipolar Disorder and Addiction
Co-occurring bipolar disorder and addiction create treatment challenges. For example, it’s difficult to differentiate between the symptoms of each condition. It’s harder to diagnose both conditions and plan for treatment.
Effective treatment also requires an integrated approach. Both conditions need to be addressed at the same time. This includes coordinated care with addiction specialists and mental health professionals. Very often, treatment plans combine medication management and therapy.
Dual diagnosis treatment is an integrated and in-depth approach to treating mental health and substance disorders at the same time. It provides a holistic treatment plan acknowledging the relationship between bipolar and addiction disorders.
How Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Bipolar Disorder and Addiction Works
Elements of a dual diagnosis treatment approach include:
- Assessment and diagnosis: The first step of dual diagnosis treatment consists of a thorough evaluation to ensure an accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorder and addiction. The assessment includes a detailed medical history, psychological evaluation and a substance use assessment. This helps determine the severity of each condition.
- Integrated treatment planning: Following diagnosis, a personalized treatment plan is created, tailored to the individual’s unique needs.
- Medication management: One part of treating co-occurring conditions can involve medication management. Medicines can be prescribed to stabilize mood swings associated with bipolar disorder. Medicines to help with substance cravings or withdrawal symptoms may also be in a treatment plan.[3]
- Psychotherapy: Various therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy, can be used to help you understand your conditions, build coping strategies and address mood symptoms as well as substance-related behaviors.
- Support groups and counseling: Participating in group therapy and support groups creates a sense of community and reduces the isolation you might otherwise feel.
- Lifestyle and holistic wellness programs: They can include programs focused on stress management, exercise and nutrition. Therapies like meditation, mindfulness and yoga can also support mental health and the healing process.
Integrated dual diagnosis treatment for bipolar disorder and addiction can help improve outcomes compared to treating each condition separately. There are also lower rates of relapse associated with this treatment approach.
Treatment for Bipolar Disorder in Pompano Beach
First Step Behavioral Health is a leading provider of treatment for bipolar disorder in Pompano Beach as well as addiction. We offer multiple levels of care. These include medical detoxification so you can safely go through withdrawal.
We also provide inpatient residential treatment and outpatient programs. We encourage you to reach out at any time to learn about getting treatment for co-occurring bipolar disorder and addiction.
References:
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Bipolar Disorder
- National Institute of Health: The prevalence and significance of substance use disorders in bipolar type I and II disorder
- JAMA Network: Diagnosis and Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
