Substance abuse by psychiatric patients is very common and studies shows that, of all the psychiatric disorders, bipolar disorder is more likely to co-occur with substance abuse. Studies also reveal that around 60% of bipolar disorder patients are alcoholics. Bipolar disorder patients that have a habit of drug or alcohol abuse are more likely to experience irritable and dysphonic mood changes. Increased treatment resistance is also a characteristic of this condition.
The reason bipolar disorder patients are more prone to substance abuse is a matter of controversy. Some researchers suggest that substance abuse occurs when the disorder becomes vulnerable to an episode. Others believe that bipolar disorder patients use drug and alcohol as an attempt to alleviate symptoms of their illness and some patients use drug s to get relief from the side effects of their medication.
Effect of Substance Abuse on Bipolar Disorder
People with bipolar disorder seem to be extremely sensitive to the effect of drugs and alcohol. Moderate doses of alcohol or drugs can induce mood changes in bipolar disorder patients.
Substance abuse appears to worsen the health condition of the patient contributing to poor nutrition.
Another area which is affected is the treatment for bipolar disorder because people who are prone to substance abuse generally refuse treatment or do not follow medication. The recovery status will be poor for such patients.
Denial of treatment and the use of drugs and alcohol will pose burden to the family members which will resulted in strained relationships.
Bipolar disorder patients with substance abuse disorders are more prone to suicide attempts.
Research indicates that the quality of life for patients with bipolar disorder and substance abuse will be poorer than the patients who are not addicted to substance abuse.
Drugs and alcohol have severe interactions with medications used in bipolar disorder. Due to this doctors usually treat the substance abuse first.
Treatment for Bipolar Disorder and Substance Abuse
During treatment, doctors usually give more priority to making the patient free of substance abuse. Generally, hospitalization is needed for about a month. The earlier a substance abuser seeks treatment, the more likely they are to get complete freedom from substance abuse without going into substance dependency. Participation in support groups is considered a good treatment for substance abuse. In these groups people share their addiction problems with each other and help each other cope with the problems of recovering from substance abuse.
