The Link Between Bipolar Disorder and Addiction

Living with bipolar disorder is often described as an emotional rollercoaster with individuals experiencing dizzying highs and devastating lows. However, for many, this is made even more complex by the presence of substance misuse. When bipolar disorders and addiction coexist, it’s known as a dual diagnosis. And for those who do want to live a more stable and healthier life, understanding the intricate relationship between mood and chemical dependency is often the first step.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health condition that is defined by extreme shifts in mood, energy and activity levels. While everyone experiences ups and downs, the shifts of bipolar disorder are intense and can interfere with someone’s ability to carry out everyday tasks.

The condition is usually categorised by two distinct emotional states:

1. Manic or Hypomanic Episodes: These are periods of feeling high, euphoric, or extremely irritable. During this mania, individuals may have racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep and increased impulsivity. Hypomania is a less severe version but still involves a noticeable difference from someone’s usual self.
2. Depressive Episodes: Periods of intense sadness, low energy and hopelessness are common too. This can lead to a loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite and even thoughts of self-harm.

There are different types of the disorder too:

• Bipolar I is defined by manic episodes lasting at least seven days
• Bipolar II, a pattern of depressive and hypomanic episodes
• Cyclothymia, a milder, chronic form of mood swinging

Is There a Connection Between Bipolar Disorder and Addiction?

The link between bipolar and substance misuse is one of the most common studies. Current research suggests that those with bipolar are more likely to develop a substance use disorder compared to the general population.

Commonly misused substances include:

• Alcohol: Often used to numb the pain of depression or to help with sleep.
• Stimulants: Such as cocaine or amphetamines, which may be used during depressive lows to regain energy or during mania to fuel the high.
• Sedatives: Used to counteract the agitation of a manic episode.

When addiction and bipolar disorder occur together, they create a feedback loop. In simpler terms, this means that substance use can trigger a mood episode, and a mood episode can result in an individual turning to substance use. This cycle makes the disorder much harder to manage and often leads to more frequent hospitalisations if not treated through a specialised dual diagnosis treatment programme.

Bipolar and Addiction: How It Can Develop

The reasons behind co-occurring bipolar disorder and substance abuse are multifaceted, and it’s rarely a matter of willpower.

Self Medication

This is usually the most common driver. When someone is suffering with the weight of a depressive episode, they may turn to drugs or alcohol to temporarily escape feelings of hopelessness. Or, during a state of mania, they might use substances to try and level out or quieten their racing mind.

Impulsivity

One of the hallmarks of mania is impaired judgement and heightened risk-taking. During these episodes, the brain’s reward system is overactive. This can lead to experimenting with drugs or escalating alcohol consumption without considering the long-term consequences.

Sleep Disruption

Sleep and bipolar disorder are linked. Mania often causes insomnia, while depression can cause oversleeping or restless nights. In an attempt to regulate their internal clock, many individuals misuse sleeping pills or alcohol, unaware that these substances actually disrupt the quality of sleep, therefore worsening their mental state.

How Addiction Can Worsen Bipolar Disorder

While substances might offer a fleeting moment of relief, the long-term impact is negative. We know that bipolar disorder and alcohol addiction is a dangerous mix. After all, alcohol is a depressant that can deepen a depressive slump or trigger dysphoric mania, a state of high energy mixed with extreme agitation and anger.

Substance misuse can also:

• Interfere with medication: Drugs and alcohol can stop mood stabilisers or antidepressants from working correctly, or cause dangerous side effects.
• Increase rapid cycling: Substance use can cause an individual to cycle between mania and depression much faster than usual.
• Heighten health risks: The risk of self-harm and accidental overdose increases dramatically when a mood disorder is combined with intoxication.

Signs of Bipolar Disorder and Substance Misuse

Understanding the signs of dual diagnosis and therefore being able to recognise them is essential for early intervention.

• Exaggerated mood swings: Shifts in mood that seem more extreme or frequent than usual, often following periods of drinking or drug use.
• Using to cope: A reliance on substances to get through the day or to handle emotional distress.
• Deteriorating responsibilities: Neglecting work, family or social obligations because of substance use or mood episodes.
• Heightened secrecy: Hiding the extent of substance use from doctors or loved ones.

The Importance of Addiction and Bipolar Disorder Treatment

Where individuals are suffering with both addiction and bipolar, treating one and not the other is rarely successful. For example, in just treating addiction, the underlying bipolar disorder remains unmanaged. And, if the cause of the addiction is a mood disorder, the person is highly likely to relapse as soon as a new manic or depressive episode occurs.

That’s why we focus on integrated treatment, which looks at both conditions and treats them by the same clinical team at the same time. Our treatment plans include:

• Medically supervised detox: Safely removing substances from the body under 24/7 medical care to manage withdrawal symptoms.
• Psychiatric assessment: Ensuring the bipolar diagnosis is accurate and that any prescribed medications are optimised for the individual.
• Evidence-based therapy: Using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to identify the triggers for both mood swings and cravings.
• Relapse prevention: Developing a toolkit of healthy coping mechanisms to replace substance use.

Long-term Recovery and Support for Bipolar Disorder and Addiction

At Rehab Clinics Group, our team ensures that every person who comes through our doors has the resources and skills they need to build a lifestyle that supports brain health and emotional stability.

In doing so, we focus on:

• Medication adherence: Continuing to take prescribed mood stabilisers even when feeling well.
• Routine: Maintaining regular sleep, exercise and eating patterns to help stabilise the body’s internal rhythms.
• Aftercare: Engaging in support groups or ongoing therapy sessions to navigate the challenges of life after drug rehab or alcohol rehab.

When to Seek Professional Help for Bipolar Disorder and Addiction

If your life or the life of someone you love is being controlled by mood swings and substance use, it’s time to get help. You don’t have to wait until you reach rock bottom. At Rehab Clinics Group, we offer professional support for those struggling with a dual diagnosis, bipolar disorder or alcohol addiction or drug use.

Our private treatment centres offer a safe and structured environment where you can address both your mental health and your addiction simultaneously. Contact us today to learn more about our admissions process and how we can help you.