This article reviews clinical studies on conventional mood stabilizers’ effectiveness in treating alcohol withdrawal, relapse prevention, and bipolar disorder with comorbid alcoholism 9. This study compared bipolar patients with and without alcohol use disorder (AUD) and identified risk factors for the onset and co-occurrence of bipolar disorder and AUD, focusing on temperamental components 12. Studies have revealed that individuals with bipolar I and bipolar II have a past of substance abuse. Although various arguments have been put forward to explain the relationship between these disorders, it is still not fully understood. Since substance abuse is prevalent among bipolar patients, it would be beneficial to investigate the impact of substance abuse on clinical characteristics, as well as the progression of the illness.
Bipolar Medication and Alcohol Interaction
Alcohol-induced mania is characterised by extreme impulsivity, risky behaviour and increased emotional instability. Reckless spending, dangerous activities and volatile relationships can also be observed in such individuals. These are hallmarks of bipolar alcoholic traits, often requiring psychiatric evaluation. Bipolar and alcoholism have common causes in the form of genetic, environmental and psychological risk factors, which makes their joint occurrence more likely.
On average, people with bipolar disorder die on average 13 years earlier than the general population (2). More research will be needed to determine exactly what kind of alcohol use treatment would be optimal for those with bipolar disorder. Still, the interplay between alcohol use and bipolar disorder is not well characterized.
Even small portions of alcohol can lead to a delay in the effectiveness of doses of medication, emotional stability, and poor judgment. Over time, the use of alcohol leads to treatment resistance, where medications that were once very effective no longer work as well. One of the main points to achieve in managing bipolar disorder is maintaining the whole scenario of mood stabilization. It retards sleep, decreases the major impact of medication, and can throw people off their routines that play a major role in emotional health. Specialized dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder programs address both bipolar disorder and alcohol use together. These programs often provide a multidisciplinary team — including psychiatrists, therapists, and addiction specialists — to ensure all aspects of the person’s well-being are addressed.
More in Navigating Life with Bipolar Disorder
As a result, it is crucial to conduct a comprehensive assessment of psychiatric symptoms in alcoholics to mitigate the severity of their condition 20. Ongoing research is looking into the impact of medications and psychiatric comorbidities 21,22. As an example, a recent meta-analysis revealed that lithium treatment has minimal negative effects on cognition, which came as a surprise 23.
Issues Surrounding the Treatment of Comorbid Bipolar Disorder and Alcoholism
With appropriate care, people with bipolar disorder can cope with their symptoms and live meaningful and productive lives. Several factors – including biological (e.g. genetic), psychological, social and structural factors – may contribute to its onset, trajectory and outcomes. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by mood swings from one extreme to another. Stigma and discrimination against people with bipolar disorder are widespread, both in communities and health services. It also fuels social exclusion and can limit opportunities for education, employment and housing. People with bipolar disorder are more susceptible to alcoholism due to self-medication, genetic predisposition and their inability to cope with mood swings.
Exercise caution when categorizing cognitive effect sizes as small, moderate, or large. Magnitudes may not indicate clinical relevance, but rather statistical significance. A cut-off score of 2 standard deviations has been shown to effectively identify significantly impaired individuals 24. Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings, ranging from manic highs to depressive lows. Managing this condition often involves a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments.
While alcohol use does not directly cause bipolar disorder, it can unmask or precipitate symptoms in individuals who are genetically predisposed or already in the early stages of the condition. This phenomenon is often referred to as “kindling,” where repeated exposure to substances like alcohol lowers the threshold for mood episodes, making them more likely to occur with less provocation over time. For those with a family history of bipolar disorder, alcohol use may act as a catalyst, accelerating the onset of the disorder.
Bipolar disorder
This co-occurrence is surpassed by the occurrence of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) in alcohol dependence 3. It was categorized as alcohol use disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM 5) combining alcohol diagnosis of abuse and dependence under one study. In the manic phase of bipolar disorder, individuals may experience marital problems and feel a sense of urgency to resolve them 4-6.
- Another significant concern is the interaction between alcohol and bipolar medications.
- People with bipolar disorder need treatment and care across acute episodes of mania and depression and when indicated, longer-term treatment to prevent relapse.
- It was categorized as alcohol use disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM 5) combining alcohol diagnosis of abuse and dependence under one study.
- People with bipolar disorder have an increased risk of alcohol use disorder, which is a serious condition that can negatively affect their physical, mental, and social well-being.
- Side effects, including lethargy, weight gain, and tremors, were listed as the main reason for non-compliance with lithium (Weiss et al. 1998).
In people with bipolar disorder, this contributes to impaired mood regulation and recovery processes. Long-term alcohol use in individuals with bipolar disorder can lead to poorer treatment outcomes, increased hospitalization, and a higher risk of substance use disorder. Cyclothymia, or cyclothymic disorder, involves chronic fluctuations between milder depressive symptoms and hypomanic symptoms for at least two years (one year in children and adolescents). While these shifts may not meet the full criteria for mania or major depression, the pattern still disrupts daily life and can lead to emotional instability. In this framework, alcohol might be used to self-medicate the subtle ups and downs.
People with bipolar disorder need treatment and care across acute episodes of mania and depression and when indicated, longer-term treatment to prevent relapse. Adverse circumstances or life-altering events can trigger or exacerbate the symptoms of bipolar disorder. The use of alcohol or drugs can also influence the onset and trajectory of bipolar disorder. Both manic and depressive episodes can cause significant difficulties in all aspects of life, including at home, work and school. They may require Bipolar disorder and alcohol specialized care to prevent the person from doing harm to themselves or others. People with bipolar disorder are more likely to smoke, use alcohol, have a physical health condition (e.g. cardiovascular or respiratory disease), and experience difficulties in accessing health care.
A few studies have looked at the impact of medications like valproate, lithium, and naltrexone, as well as psychosocial interventions, in treating patients with bipolar disorder and alcoholism. Bipolar disorder often co-occurs with anxiety, substance abuse, and eating disorders. Other mental health conditions can make bipolar illness more severe and develop earlier. Research continues to explore the effects of these comorbidities on prognosis and treatment outcomes 18.
- If you’ve lost control over your drinking or you misuse drugs, get help before your problems get worse and are harder to treat.
- Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings, including manic highs and depressive lows, while alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that can alter brain chemistry.
- In conclusion, alcohol’s impact on mood stability is profound and multifaceted, posing significant risks for individuals with bipolar disorder or those susceptible to it.
- Bipolar II disorder and cyclothymia are even more difficult to reliably diagnose because of the more subtle nature of the psychiatric symptoms.
- Bipolar disorder is one of the leading causes of disability globally as it can affect many areas of life.
Research shows that up to 45% of people with bipolar disorder may struggling from alcoholism at any one time. Bipolar disorder is a complicated mental health condition in which there are extreme mood swings that range from low moods to manic highs. To be able to deal with this disorder requires a normal balance of medication, therapeutic sessions, and a few changes in lifestyle choices. Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (NOS) is sometimes used when a person’s symptoms do not neatly fit into the categories of Bipolar I, Bipolar II, or Cyclothymia. They may have some symptoms of mania or depression but not meet the specific diagnostic criteria.
Bipolar Disorder and Alcoholism
Weiss and colleagues (1999) have developed a relapse prevention group therapy using cognitive behavioral therapy techniques for treating patients with comorbid bipolar disorder and substance use disorder. This therapy uses an integrated approach; participants discuss topics that are relevant to both disorders, such as insomnia, emphasizing common aspects of recovery and relapse. The role of genetic factors in psychiatric disorders has received much attention recently. Some evidence is available to support the possibility of familial transmission of both bipolar disorder and alcoholism (Merikangas and Gelernter 1990; Berrettini et al. 1997). Common genetic factors may play a role in the development of this comorbidity, but this relationship is complex (Tohen et al. 1998). Preisig and colleagues (2001) conducted a family study of mood disorders and alcoholism by evaluating 226 people with alcoholism with and without a mood disorder as well as family members of those people.