Nearly 30 million people throughout the US struggle with alcohol use disorder, according to a 2022 survey by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. While alcohol addiction is a major struggle with many, for those struggling with bipolar disorder and alcohol addiction, it can sometimes feel like the world is stacked against you. But it doesn’t have to be this way. You can find healing and reclaim your life with the right dual diagnosis treatment.
Unpacking Bipolar Disorder and Alcohol Abuse
As we explore the relationship between bipolar disorder and alcohol, it’s important to understand each condition separately to see why they are so often intertwined.
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Imagine going through life feeling like your mood is never quite stable as you swing from feeling one way for a while before dramatically shifting in the opposite direction shortly thereafter. Anyone experiencing this would feel like they’re riding a roller coaster of emotions—but one they can never climb off. Yet for those with bipolar disorder, this is a common experience.
Bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic depression) is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings filled with intense highs (called “mania” or manic episodes) and devastating lows (depressive episodes). These unusual shifts in mood can affect your energy, thinking, and activity levels, shares the National Institute of Mental Health, negatively impacting relationships and making daily tasks difficult. There are three main types of bipolar disorder, including:
- Bipolar I – those with bipolar I disorder have manic episodes that last at least seven days, and manic episodes are often severe enough to require medical care. Depressive episodes typically last two weeks or more.
- Bipolar II – those with bipolar II disorder have both depressive and manic episodes, but the manic episodes are less severe than bipolar I.
- Cyclothymic Disorder – those with cyclothymic disorder have recurring manic and depressive symptoms, but they aren’t as intense and don’t last as long as Bipolar I or II.
According to Mental Health America, about 1 in 40 American adults have bipolar disorder. Research suggests that bipolar disorder is caused by a combination of factors, including childhood trauma, brain chemistry, family genetics, and even medications, shares Mind.org. If you are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, your symptoms will vary based on the type of episode.
Signs of a manic episode can include:
- Excessive energy
- Intense happiness, excitement, or euphoria
- Racing thoughts
- Getting easily distracted
- Impulsive or risky behavior
Signs of a depressive episode can include:
- Low energy
- Feeling sad, hopeless, guilty, anxious, or worried
- Lack of interest in activities
- Difficulty concentrating
- Changes in sleep or appetite
What is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Have you ever known anyone who can’t seem to quit drinking, even though it’s causing them and those they love harm? It’s likely that person is struggling with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Also known as alcohol addiction, alcohol abuse, and alcoholism, alcohol use disorder is the inability to control or stop drinking despite adverse consequences. To meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder, someone addicted to alcohol will have both a physical and psychological dependence on it, causing a compulsive need to drink.
Because alcohol use disorder impacts your brain, it’s important to remember that someone’s alcohol addiction isn’t simply due to their lack of discipline, advises Yale Medicine. Excessive alcohol consumption not only damages your brain and other organs; it can also increase your chances of developing depression and other mental health conditions. Long-term drinking can change your brain to crave alcohol and sadly, require large amounts to achieve the same desired effects you used to. So if you’re wondering if someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, here are some telltale signs:
- Increases in quantity or frequency
- An increased tolerance
- An inability to control drinking, despite wanting to
- Becoming disinterested in activities that you once enjoyed in favor of drinking
- Hiding how often you drink from friends and family
Alcohol and Bipolar Disorder: Common Co-Occurring Disorders
To cope with the severe, debilitating highs and lows they’re experiencing, people with bipolar disorder will often try to self-medicate. Consequently, they end up reaching for the bottle. In fact, it’s estimated that 40 to 70% of people with bipolar disorder will be diagnosed with AUD at some point in their life, shares Frontiers in Psychiatry. Yet these common co-occurring disorders only make things worse, leading to more severe manic or depressive episodes, as well as higher risks of suicide. Alcohol can also disrupt any bipolar disorder medications the individual is taking, making them more susceptible to mood swings.
At the same time, if you’re exhibiting symptoms of alcohol addiction, the damage alcohol is doing to your brain could lead to mental health struggles, including bipolar disorder. If left unchecked, you could spiral down a path of further complications and destruction, which is why it’s key to seek professional help before your bipolar alcoholism gets worse.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment is Vital for Bipolar Disorder and Alcoholism
Being aware that you need help for alcohol and bipolar disorder is a critical first step. But while some may seek out alcohol addiction treatment or bipolar disorder treatment separately, this would likely leave the other issue untreated. And if left untreated, not only are you unable to fully heal; you’re also risking a relapse. That’s why it’s critical to partner with a dual diagnosis treatment program that addresses both bipolar disorder and alcohol abuse simultaneously.
A comprehensive dual diagnosis treatment plan will incorporate a holistic variety of care depending on your unique needs. While this may include medical intervention and management for both bipolar disorder and alcohol addiction, therapeutic interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy as well as group and individual therapy can also be helpful.
Get Help for Bipolar Disorder and Alcohol Addiction at Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN
By partnering with a program that combines both bipolar disorder and alcoholism treatment together, you can overcome your alcohol dependence and learn to manage your bipolar disorder in a healthy way. At Integrative Life Center, we’re able to address the root causes of your addiction and mental health struggles through comprehensive, trauma-informed care.
Being located in the heart of Music City in Nashville, TN, we’re very familiar with the higher occurrence of these specific struggles within the creative community. While some may unfortunately choose to embrace the mania associated with these conditions, we’ve helped many musicians and artists find a safe and better way to address their bipolar disorder and alcoholism. With our help, you can be empowered to restore your life and achieve long-term healing. To learn more, contact us today.
