Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder characterized by intense and sudden shifts in behavior, mood, and energy levels. Similar to substance abuse, the bipolar disorder harms individual’s emotional and physical well-being. People affected with bipolar disorder will have a higher chance of economic instability, relationship problems, suicide and accidental injuries than the general population.
How are addiction and bipolar related?
There are no clear explanations towards the relationship of chemical dependence and substance abuse among bipolar individuals. But according to the statistics, many individuals attempt to self-medicate to numb the painful symptom they experience from their disorder. Anxiety, depression, sleeplessness and pain are alarming symptoms of bipolar disorder. Gender and age play a huge role in the relationship between addiction and bipolar. Addiction is more common in young males than in other age groups.
What do clinical researchers say?
According to the experts, brain chemistry influences both substance abuse and bipolar disorder that’s why substance abuse treatment for bipolar exists. Most often, people suffering from bipolar disorder have abnormal levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These chemicals influence the vital functions such as, metabolism, appetite, sleep, emotions, moods and the body’s response. Heavy use of alcohol or drugs may interfere with the way our brain processes these chemicals, leading to erratic energy levels, depression and emotional instability. On top of that, most people having a bipolar disorder will turn to alcohol or drugs unconsciously to stabilize their moods. Unfortunately, substance abuse makes bipolar disorder worse as it has the opposite effect.
Treatment for addiction and bipolar
Before, chemical dependence and bipolar disorder were seen as separate conditions. But, people diagnosed with bipolar disorder were also referred to addiction treatment with mental health, while those who were abusing alcohol and drugs were sent to rehab centers. Today, a process called “integrated treatment” was implemented by health care professionals to recognize the significance of treating substance abuse and bipolar disorder at the same time.
Integrated treatment involves a number of mental health rehabilitation services including counseling sessions, one-on-one psychotherapy, support groups, holistic therapy and family counseling. Features recommended by Good Future Rehab Center, a mental health and addiction leader, in treatment include:
- Centralized care
- A joint treatment team (addiction counselors, psychologists, and trained professionals)
- Individual psychotherapy manages or focuses on your emotions
- Psychiatric medications
- Minimizing the danger of substance abuse
- Peer group support
Managing substance abuse is not enough without addressing the issues regarding bipolar disorder, and vice versa. Therapeutic approaches like Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for addiction treatment with mental health have proven to be useful for Dual Diagnosis.
For more details and recommendations on treating addiction and mental health issues please visit www.goodfuturerehabcenter.com.