Bipolar Disorder and Substance Use Disorder

Symptoms of Co-Occurring Bipolar Disorder and Substance Use Disorder

You may not know you have bipolar disorder, or your use of alcohol or drugs has led to an addiction. Most people with these conditions have specific symptoms.

Bipolar disorder displays as radical shifts in a person’s mood. Most often, these changes in mood can last for several days or weeks at a time. There are often periods where they seem balanced. A person with bipolar disorder has major changes in energy, concentration, and behavior. Symptoms may include:

•  Excessive cheerful or intensely hostile feelings
•  Hypomanic episodes, which may be shorter periods of just a few days of shifts in mood, like this
•  Major depressive episodes often incorporate depressed mood, withdrawing from others and activities, and feeling helpless

It is also possible for someone to have mixed episodes where it may seem like they are having some traits of hypomanic, manic, and major depressive episodes. These may not last very long or could stretch for weeks.

In addition, substance use disorder symptoms typically include:

• Craving the substance when they do not have it
• Prioritizing getting that substance over other responsibilities
• Withdrawing from things once enjoyed, often to focus on substance
•  Intense agitation when not using substances
• Thinking about and planning to get more of the substance as often as possible

Many people with bipolar disorder use alcohol, cocaine, and opioids to numb their thoughts and control their symptoms. However, you may be using other substances to gain the same type of control.

How to Get Help for Bipolar Disorder and Substance Use

If you are unsure if your loved one is suffering from bipolar disorder or substance use disorder, or both, set up some time to speak to our team at Mental Health Hope. We can offer a free over-the-phone assessment to provide initial guidance on the steps you can take now to help you.

Treatment for bipolar disorder and substance use ranges based on your symptoms and usage history. Typical treatment may include:

• Detox from substances: Detox is a short-term treatment program designed to flush the substances out of the body, breaking the dependency on them. Detox is a medically monitored environment that is essential to protect your health.
•  Acute mental health care: Some people with bipolar disorder face acute mental complications and psychosis. If you are at risk of harming yourself or another person, acute treatment may be a necessity. Call 988 for immediate support.
• Residential mental health treatment and mental health retreats provide a longer-term level of care where you will live at the treatment center for a period of time, receiving care. This is an excellent starting point and can be an alternative to a hospital psych ward.
• Intensive outpatient treatment: Outpatient programs, including partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient programs, provide a stepping stone into care. This is an alternative to a mental health hospital in critical situations.
• Traditional outpatient care: Over time, you may be ready to embrace outpatient care, where you will work with a therapist less frequently while living at home.

Outpatient treatment programs may align with your needs as well. Those who need stability and mental health care immediately can contact Mental Health Hope now for an assessment and a plan for moving forward. Contact us now to learn more about the treatment options we can offer and recommend to you.