If one of our articles is marked with a ‘reviewed for accuracy and expertise’ badge, it indicates that one or more members of our team of doctors and clinicians have reviewed the article further to ensure accuracy. This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care. Chen’s research has shown how alcohol affects people of East Asian descent who have a genetic variation, ALDH2, which interferes with their ability to metabolize acetaldehyde.
Treatment for bipolar disorder is often effective.
Family-focused treatment (FFT) with psychoeducation is recommended and effective (99). Drinking alcohol can become a coping mechanism to deal with feelings of hopelessness, numbness, guilt, and worthlessness. It’s all about finding a balance that works for the individual—there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but with the right combination of treatments, recovery is possible. Arista Recovery is committed to ensuring that individuals and families impacted by substance use receive best in class care. Therapy will help build mental resilience, strengthen relationships, and cultivate a deeper understanding of the condition.
The successful treatment of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder who also struggle from alcoholism requires an integrative approach to both disorders. Bipolar disorder combined with alcoholism can be risky and have severe physical and psychological consequences for the individual. Alcohol abuse can lead to increased aggression, irritability and unpredictable behaviour in people with bipolar disorder. Mixing alcohol with bipolar medication can be extremely dangerous, and is never recommended. Both alcohol and bipolar medications impact the central nervous system and therefore can create severe negative reactions and even impairments. One of the major concerns about mixing alcohol and bipolar medication is that doing so can reduce the effectiveness of the medication and lead to a relapse in symptoms of the disorder.
How Samba Recovery Supports Young Adults in Recovery
Mood-stabilizing medications have been around for decades, and they are extremely effective as a first-line treatment for bipolar disorder. Many patients benefit from taking other drugs as well, such as antipsychotics or anti-anxiety medications. But getting treated as soon as you notice a mental health disorder can help stop bipolar disorder or other mental health conditions from getting worse. Current research lacks definitive evidence on the long-term benefits of existing medications for 5 things to know about bipolar disorder and alcohol use dual diagnosis, and often these treatments are adapted from single-condition studies with limited validation.
Diagnosis of AUD in Bipolar Patients
- Even in people who are not struggling with alcohol use disorder, drinking alcohol can affect other psychiatric conditions.
- Genetics play a significant role in the development of both bipolar disorder and substance use disorders.
- We do not recap acute treatments for detoxification or delirium on one side, and mania or severe depression on the other side.
- Future research will help determine the optimal alcohol use treatment for those with bipolar disorder.
While identifying precise genetic markers remains an ongoing process, evidence supports a biological overlap. This overlap helps explain why many individuals with bipolar disorder are more susceptible to initiating or developing substance use problems. Stressful life events, sleep disruptions, seasonal changes, and major life stressors often precipitate episodes of bipolar disorder and increase impulsivity, which can lead to substance experimentation or addiction. Substance use itself can further disturb brain chemistry, creating a vicious cycle. A second key concept underlying IGT is a focus on common features in the recovery and relapse process in the two disorders. Patients are told that the same kinds of thoughts and behaviors that will facilitate their recovery from one disorder will also aid in the recovery process from their other disorder.
- Bipolar II disorder involves a pattern of one or more major depressive episodes alongside at least one hypomanic episode.
- Atypical antipsychotics (aAP) have increasingly become a treatment of choice in BD.
- This article aims to delve deep into how these disorders are interrelated, and what can be done to effectively manage both, enhancing the recovery process.
- The rates of addiction are alarming, with nearly 18 million people affected in the U.S. alone.
- Effective management of both bipolar disorder and substance addiction requires an integrated approach that encompasses medication and therapy.
The role of virtual therapy in addiction treatment
Younger generations are drinking less and non-alcoholic beverages are becoming more popular. Ultimately, clinicians like Stafford and Humphreys said they hope people who decide to drink alcohol do it consciously, armed with knowledge about its risks. Recent research has also shown that adults over the age of 50 or 60 show signs of impairment at lower blood alcohol concentrations than younger people. They are also more likely to already be living with chronic diseases, and to be taking prescription medications that might interact poorly with alcohol.
However, clinicians note that confusion is a hallmark of dementia, and that dementia patients often have multiple mood changes in a day, while the mood changes that mark bipolar disorder typically last weeks or months. It’s often hard to tell whether these symptoms are the usual ups and downs or due to stress or trauma, or if they’re signs of a mental health problem other than bipolar disorder. Episodes of mood swings from depression to mania may occur rarely or multiple times a year. Others may frequently have mood swings from depression to mania or both depression and mania at the same time. Support groups, lifestyle modifications, and addressing comorbid medical conditions play essential roles in maintaining long-term recovery. The overall goal is to improve mood stability, reduce substance use, and enhance psychosocial functioning, thereby leading to better quality of life.
Using positive psychology to support addiction treatment
Bipolar disorder can start at any age, but usually it’s diagnosed in the teenage years or early 20s. Substance use may be part of your story, but it doesn’t have to be the rest of it. Sustainable recovery is possible and the best version of yourself is waiting at our Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia addiction recovery centers.
Are there shared genetic factors contributing to both bipolar disorder and substance abuse?
Bipolar disorder, characterized by extreme mood swings ranging from manic highs to depressive lows, affects millions of people worldwide. This mental health condition can be challenging to manage on its own, but when combined with alcohol use, the difficulties can multiply exponentially. Alcohol, a central nervous system depressant, has a profound impact on mental health, often exacerbating existing conditions and potentially triggering new ones. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
Fortunately, there are numerous resources available for individuals dealing with both bipolar disorder and alcohol use issues. Understanding bipolar dual diagnosis is the first step towards effective treatment. Many mental health facilities now offer specialized programs for individuals with co-occurring disorders, providing integrated treatment that addresses both conditions simultaneously. In younger patients, it appears that alcohol use and bipolar symptoms are more likely to increase or decrease in unison (64).