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Someone who is experiencing a manic state is typically much more social and excitable than they would be regularly. In this case, they may try to keep the good times going by drinking alcohol or taking other substances. Unfortunately, this can make their decision-making skills even worse while they are in an already impaired state, leading to increasingly dangerous or destructive situations.
However, there isn’t just one reason that people with bipolar disorder drink alcohol. Because of this, people with both conditions may not get the full treatment they need at first. Even when researchers study bipolar disorder or AUD, they tend to look at 5 things to know about bipolar disorder and alcohol use just one condition at a time. There’s been a recent trend to consider treating both conditions simultaneously, using medications and other therapies that treat each condition.
- Alcohol abuse often occurs in early adulthood and is usually a precursor to alcohol dependence (APA 1994).
- These feelings are valid and shared by many others living with chronic health conditions.
- Mood-stabilizing medications have been around for decades, and they are extremely effective as a first-line treatment for bipolar disorder.
- Treatment options can consist of a combination of medication and therapy with the aim of helping those with bipolar disorder live more balanced lives.
The Role of Alcohol in Triggering Bipolar Episodes
In people with bipolar disorder or AUD, it’s believed that the chemicals that regulate moods don’t work properly. Your environment as a young person can also influence whether you’re likely to develop AUD. Bipolar people can also isolate themselves when they experience depressive episodes, social anxiety or shame over impulsive behaviours during manic episodes. Mindfulness, exercise and regular routines help maintain stability and prevent relapse.
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This can exacerbate your symptoms to a much greater extent than they would be if you had only one condition. Both tend to occur more frequently in people who have a family member with the condition. Such behaviour reinforces dangerous situations and poor decisions towards the law, leading to further complications in restoring mental stability. Alcohol lowers inhibitions and leads to irresponsible financial, social and professional decisions that can be regretted for years. Stress-induced changes in brain chemistry exacerbate both disorders, creating a destructive cycle of emotional distress and substance dependence. Symptoms of bipolar can be worsened by alcohol, often making the manic highs higher and the depressive lows lower.
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Over time, your brain’s reward pathway builds tolerance and requires more and more dopamine (via alcohol) to feel pleasure. This can lead to addiction and feelings of depression in the absence of the rewarding substance. With the right combination of medical treatment, therapy, support groups, and lifestyle changes, it’s entirely possible to break the cycle and find stability. You’re also in the company of many well-known individuals who have spoken openly about their experiences with bipolar, including Kay Redfield Jamison, PhD, Sir Stephen Fry, the late Carrie Fisher, and others. Their stories show that a meaningful, fulfilling life is not only possible — it’s happening every day.
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- Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure about your symptoms, or just looking for answers — we’re here to listen, without judgment.
- Current research points to specific genes involved in neurotransmitter regulation—particularly those affecting dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine pathways—as potential shared genetic factors.
- Alcohol, a central nervous system depressant, has a profound impact on mental health, often exacerbating existing conditions and potentially triggering new ones.
- In some cases, alcoholism may be misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder, or vice versa, complicating treatment efforts and delaying appropriate care.
- For BD, pharmacotherapy is an essential component to stabilize mood and prevent recurrences, whereas its role for treating AUD beyond controlling acute withdrawal symptoms is less clear.
The AUDIT is also recommended to screen comorbid individuals by several evidence- based guidelines, e.g., the German S3-Guidelines on AUD (49, 53). Bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder, or other types of substance misuse, can be a dangerous mix. Also, having both conditions makes mood swings, depression, violence and suicide more likely. If you’re concerned about a loved one and believe they may need residential care, we can help. BrightQuest offers long-term treatment for people struggling with schizoaffective disorders, schizophrenia, and severe bipolar disorder as well as other co-occurring conditions.
Developing integrated care models that combine mental health and addiction services can improve treatment adherence and patient outcomes. Despite advances, significant gaps remain in understanding and effectively managing co-occurring bipolar disorder and SUD. Most notably, there is a shortage of large-scale, high-quality clinical trials that evaluate the efficacy of pharmacological and therapeutic interventions specifically tailored for dual diagnosis populations. Psychotherapy plays a vital role, with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helping patients recognize and modify thought patterns that contribute to mood episodes and substance cravings. Motivational interviewing enhances motivation for change and supports sustained abstinence. The impact of substances thus creates a vicious cycle, aggravating symptoms and reducing the effectiveness of conventional mood-stabilizing medications—a significant challenge in treatment.
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Bipolar II disorder is characterized by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but without the full-blown manic episodes that are typical of bipolar I disorder. The hypomanic episodes provide a noticeable change in mood and behavior that is distinct from the individual’s usual behavior but are not as extreme as manic episodes. Furthermore, they help acquire skills and learn techniques for many purposes other than managing your dual diagnosis. People turn to alcohol for various reasons, and people who are bipolar might be more prone to doing so. First, it is not unusual for people with mental health disorders to turn to substance and alcohol use as a way to manage their symptoms.
Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS) is sometimes used when a person’s symptoms do not neatly fit into the categories of Bipolar I, Bipolar II, or Cyclothymia. They may have some symptoms of mania or depression but not meet the specific diagnostic criteria. Because the presentation is unique for each person, alcohol use can affect bipolar NOS in diverse ways.
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Still, once stability returns, it may offer tools for managing thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can help some people develop coping strategies and emotional regulation skills. Understanding the role of medication in managing bipolar disorder is a critical part of your treatment path. When paired with an overall wellness strategy, the proper medication regimen can help to stabilize your mood and improve your overall quality of life. It might also be tempting, especially during periods of wellness when symptoms have lessened, to believe you no longer need medication.
At Pinnacle Peak Recovery we offer addiction treatment and mental health facilities in Arizona that improve people’s lives and make healing possible from trauma, mental health, and co-occurring substance use disorders. We take a comforting, family-feel approach to healing those who have mental health or addiction problems. Treating our patients like people has made us the best place to get the right treatment in Arizona. One of the reasons that people with bipolar disorder develop AUD is because they are attempting to self-medicate or cope with symptoms by drinking alcohol.