Regardless of the blurred nights and the draining hangovers leading to mixed intensified feelings once the alcohol leaves the body, many bipolar individuals still choose to drink. For some, the relaxed feelings and the heightened mania far outweigh the negative effect alcohol has on the mood. Drinking on bipolar medication can turn one drink into several, especially drinking on an empty stomach. Alcohol can also destabilize bipolar disorder, giving up your control of emotions to an empty glass. It can possibly relieve the negative symptoms of bipolar disorder temporarily, yet can increase chances of worsening the disorder later on. Additionally, when someone is going through alcohol withdrawal, it can potentially mirror some symptoms of bipolar disorder.
When coupled with alcohol use disorder, symptoms of either condition may worsen. There are a variety of treatment options, including talk therapy and medication, to treat these conditions separately or as they co-occur. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by distinct high and low mood episodes. Periods of mania, hypomania, and depression in bipolar disorder can significantly affect a person’s level of functioning and quality of life.
A bipolar diagnosis is described as type 1 or 2, depending on the severity of symptoms. Another explanation for the connection is that people with bipolar disorder can exhibit reckless behavior, and AUD is consistent with this type of behavior. Some theorize that when AUD appears first, it can trigger bipolar disorder. Others have suggested that bipolar and AUD may share genetic risk factors.
However, it is also important to note that prescription bottles for lithium usually have a warning label on them not to drink alcohol while taking the medication. Thus, if an alcoholic has the choice between taking lithium or drinking alcohol, it is very likely aetna insurance coverage for drug addiction treatment the alcoholic will not be compliant with lithium. Increased medication compliance with valproate may be an important factor in selecting a mood stabilizer for alcoholic bipolar patients. Bipolar disorder and alcoholism co-occur at higher than expected rates.
People with bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder should work closely with a healthcare provider to determine the best medication regimen to manage symptoms. Although not a formal diagnosis, during a manic episode, people with bipolar disorder can have a “bipolar blackout,” which means they have trouble remembering their actions. During a bipolar blackout, a person may engage in behavior that is impulsive or risky. Researchers found alcohol and aging effects that men with bipolar, who are alcoholics, most often had a family history of alcoholism, bipolar disorder and drug abuse when compared with nonalcoholic bipolar men. Alcoholism among bipolar women, however, did not stem from family lineage. Although alcohol can provide temporary relief from bipolar disorder, it also endangers an individual with the illness, intensifying the effects of the disorder and increasing risks over time.
If you have bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder or another addiction, you have what’s known as a dual diagnosis. You may need to see a mental health professional who is an expert in treating both disorders. If you’ve lost control over your drinking or you misuse drugs, get help before your problems get worse and are harder to treat. Seeing a mental health professional right away is very important if you also have symptoms of bipolar disorder or another mental health condition. Bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder (also called alcoholism and alcohol addiction) frequently occur together. It is estimated that 40% to 70% of individuals with bipolar disorder will be diagnosed with AUD during their lifetimes.
Many people believe bipolar disorder references someone experiencing happiness one moment and sadness or anger the very next as if someone turned on a switch. Hopelessness or feeling lost can occur, fluctuating to intense feelings of happiness, or numbness. It may seem like a constant back and forth struggle, but it is so much more to each individual suffering. For example, some people may develop bipolar disorder first, while in others, AUD may appear first. Individuals with a first-degree family member, such as a parent or sibling, who has bipolar disorder are more likely to develop the condition.
Alcohol and Medications
It is also important to seek professional help and to explore different treatment options. Living with a bipolar alcoholic requires setting boundaries in order to protect one’s own mental and emotional health. This can include setting limits on when and how much alcohol is consumed and refraining from enabling behavior. It is also important to remember that the person is suffering from a mental illness, and that it is not a personal attack or a reflection on the relationship.
One proposed explanation is that certain psychiatric disorders (such as bipolar disorder) may be risk factors for substance use. Alternatively, symptoms of bipolar disorder may emerge during the course of chronic alcohol intoxication or withdrawal. In other words, alcohol use or withdrawal may “prompt” bipolar disorder symptoms (Tohen et al. 1998). It remains unclear which if any of these potential mechanisms is responsible for the strong association between alcoholism and bipolar disorder.
Familial Risk of Bipolar Disorder and Alcoholism
It is a situation that requires patience, understanding, and compassion. But, with the right support and resources, it is possible to help your loved one manage their condition and live a healthier and more fulfilling life. In this article, we will discuss some effective strategies to help you live with a bipolar alcoholic, including understanding the condition and knowing when to seek professional help. We will also discuss ways to provide emotional and practical support to your loved one, as well as how to protect yourself from the effects of living with a bipolar alcoholic. In the past, researchers have noted that symptoms of bipolar disorder appear as a person withdraws from alcohol dependence.
- In conclusion, it appears that alcoholism may adversely affect the course and prognosis of bipolar disorder, leading to more frequent hospitalizations.
- Studies have shown that people with bipolar disorder have a 60 percent chance of developing a drinking problem at some point in their lives.
- With extensive experience in the field of addiction treatment, Francisco is dedicated to helping individuals access the resources they need for successful recovery.
- It is important to be supportive and understanding while also maintaining boundaries and taking care of one’s own mental and emotional health.
- For some, the relaxed feelings and the heightened mania far outweigh the negative effect alcohol has on the mood.
- Fortunately, most of the women in the study avoided drinking in the first place.
However, adhering to treatment can be difficult for some people with bipolar disorder. The researchers found a direct link between alcohol consumption and the rate of occurrence of manic or depressive episodes, even when study participants drank a relatively small amount of alcohol. Addictive behavior and alcohol and substance abuse are common among people with bipolar disorder. A person with bipolar disorder experiences mood swings and other symptoms. Alcohol can affect a person with bipolar disorder differently, compared with someone who does not have it.
Issues Surrounding the Treatment of Comorbid Bipolar Disorder and Alcoholism
When setting boundaries, it is important to be clear and consistent, and to be prepared to follow through on the consequences. It is also important to provide the person with support and understanding while maintaining the boundaries. A person who is avoiding or cutting down on alcohol may find it helpful to replace the habit with an alternative fatal fix: how an opioid overdose shuts down your body feel-good solution . A person may need to work with their doctor for some time before they find a suitable medication and dose. The National Institutes of Health give no specific advice against using alcohol with lithium, but a doctor may provide additional information. Bipolar disorder is believed to result from imbalances in brain chemistry.
It is also important to remember that while the person is suffering from a mental illness, they are still responsible for their own actions. Professional help can be instrumental in helping to manage symptoms and develop healthier coping strategies. People with bipolar disorder often use medications to stabilize their symptoms. Whether a person consumes or misuses alcohol during a manic or depressive phase, it can be hazardous and possibly life-threatening for them and for those around them. The effects of bipolar disorder vary between individuals and also according to the phase of the disorder that the person is experiencing.
It can be difficult to get the medication right with bipolar disorder because each person is different and may respond differently to medications. Bipolar disorder is already difficult to diagnose, as it can share symptoms with other conditions, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia, and depression. Read on to find out more about the links between bipolar disorder and alcohol consumption. We’re here 24/7 to help guide you or your loved on through rehab and recovery. Treatment providers are available 24/7 to answer your questions about rehab, whether it’s for you or a loved one.