5 Things to Know about Addiction and Bipolar Disorder

Substance abuse often is closely connected to mental health issues and bipolar disorder can be one of the most vulnerable to dual diagnosis. Because bipolar disorder and substance abuse frequently occur together, it is helpful to know certain facts about the disorder and how it relates to drug use.

1. Bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed during substance abuse – People that are struggling with bipolar disorder may not know that they have this mental illness, especially if their alcohol or drug use triggers symptoms and can seem like effects of the substances. Even people going through detox may be misdiagnosed because their symptoms may seem to be related to withdrawal effects.

2. There is no single cause for bipolar disorder or addiction – The reason people develop bipolar disorder or abuse substances can be related to a number of different issues including genetics, environment, biology and many other factors.

3. Co-occuring abuse with bipolar disorder is extremely common- Mood disorders like bipolar disorder very common in the US and the disorder is often accompanied by substance abuse issues. Many people with bipolar disorder use drugs as a way to cope with their symptoms.

4. Drug use can trigger bipolar symptoms – While many people already have bipolar disorder when they start using drugs, others can start to develop symptoms as a result of their drug use. It can intensify mood swings and worsen their state of mind, leading to manic and depressive episodes.

5. Treating bipolar disorder can reduce addiction issues and vice versa – It is important for people with co-occurring disorders to treat both problems simultaneously and ease the symptoms of each problem in connection with each other. When both issues are treated they can help relieve the other and bring about better mental health and behavior overall.

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