Bipolar Disorder & Addiction Often Coexist
Bipolar disorder and addiction to drugs and alcohol often co-exist. If you or someone you love is suffering from addiction and bipolar disorder, you should seek the treatment offered at a dual diagnosis program that is licensed to treat both mental health illnesses and substance abuse.
Bipolar disorder is a psychological diagnosis that is characterized by extreme changes in mood, energy, thoughts and behaviors. It is also commonly referred to as manic depression because a person's mood can fluctuate between depression and mania where the mood changes can last hours, weeks or in some cases months. More than 6 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder, and symptoms typically appear during late adolescence.
People that suffer from bipolar disorder experience extreme mood swings characterized by mania and depression. When a person is feeling out of control from these mood changes, he or she may try to find a way to self-medicate and control these feelings. The most common way that someone with bipolar self-medicates is through the use of drugs and alcohol. When someone is feeling manic, they may turn to depressants like alcohol or pain pills. On the other hand, when someone is feeling depressed, they may utilize stimulants such as cocaine or methamphetamines to overcome that feeling. While a person may experience the illusion of temporary mood steadying, the only way to truly manage these symptoms is through mood stabilizing medication prescribed by a psychiatrist. Without the supervision of a doctor or treatment center, bipolar disorder sufferers often find themselves continuing to abuse substances to control their symptoms, which can quickly result in addiction.
In order to effectively treat bipolar disorder and addiction to drugs or alcohol, the two issues must be treated simultaneously. Because they coexist, treating one without the other will not lead to long-term recovery and will instead most likely result in relapse. Destination Hope is a dual diagnosis addiction treatment center that has experience treating bipolar disorder. Our physician and registered nurses provide medication management and medical oversight to our clients, and our licensed therapists provide comprehensive therapeutic services so that they can learn to live without self-medicating. If you or someone you care about suffers from addiction or bipolar disorder, please call our admissions counselors today at 877-380-9777 and let us help you understand the treatment options available.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a psychological diagnosis that is characterized by extreme changes in mood, energy, thoughts and behaviors. It is also commonly referred to as manic depression because a person's mood can fluctuate between depression and mania where the mood changes can last hours, weeks or in some cases months. More than 6 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder, and symptoms typically appear during late adolescence.
How Do Bipolar Disorder and Addiction Interrelate?
People that suffer from bipolar disorder experience extreme mood swings characterized by mania and depression. When a person is feeling out of control from these mood changes, he or she may try to find a way to self-medicate and control these feelings. The most common way that someone with bipolar self-medicates is through the use of drugs and alcohol. When someone is feeling manic, they may turn to depressants like alcohol or pain pills. On the other hand, when someone is feeling depressed, they may utilize stimulants such as cocaine or methamphetamines to overcome that feeling. While a person may experience the illusion of temporary mood steadying, the only way to truly manage these symptoms is through mood stabilizing medication prescribed by a psychiatrist. Without the supervision of a doctor or treatment center, bipolar disorder sufferers often find themselves continuing to abuse substances to control their symptoms, which can quickly result in addiction.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder Can Include:
- Prolonged sadness
- Heightened mood, exaggerated optimism and self confidence
- Changes in appetite and sleep patterns, including decreased need for sleep without feeling tired
- Inflated sense of self importance
- Racing thoughts
- Impulsiveness
- Reckless behavior
- Irritability, anger, aggression, worry, agitation, anxiety
- Difficulty concentrating
- Significant changes in energy levels
- Thoughts of death or suicide
How To Treat Bipolar Disorder & Addiction
In order to effectively treat bipolar disorder and addiction to drugs or alcohol, the two issues must be treated simultaneously. Because they coexist, treating one without the other will not lead to long-term recovery and will instead most likely result in relapse. Destination Hope is a dual diagnosis addiction treatment center that has experience treating bipolar disorder. Our physician and registered nurses provide medication management and medical oversight to our clients, and our licensed therapists provide comprehensive therapeutic services so that they can learn to live without self-medicating. If you or someone you care about suffers from addiction or bipolar disorder, please call our admissions counselors today at 877-380-9777 and let us help you understand the treatment options available.
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