Bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder, or other types of substance misuse, can be a dangerous mix. Also, having both conditions makes mood swings, depression, violence and suicide more likely. It’s important to be aware of this connection if you struggle with bipolar disorder. It may be tempting to drink in order to manage symptoms and mood changes, but the risks are high. If you have bipolar disorder, you are at a much greater risk of developing alcohol use disorder. Because of this, people with both conditions may not get the full treatment they need at first.
The effects of bipolar disorder vary between individuals and also according to the phase of the disorder that the person is experiencing. Additionally, when someone is going through alcohol withdrawal, it can potentially mirror some symptoms of bipolar disorder. When symptoms of a depressive episode last for at least two weeks, it meets the criteria for a bipolar 2 diagnosis. Depressive symptoms affect people with bipolar 1 and bipolar 2, but they tend to occur more often and last longer in bipolar 2 disorder. Regardless of the blurred nights and the draining hangovers leading to mixed intensified feelings once the alcohol leaves the body, many bipolar individuals still choose to drink.
Working with a care team can help with identifying triggers and developing management plans. Approximately 14.5 million people in United States ages 12 and over have alcohol use disorder. We’re here 24/7 to help guide you or your loved on through rehab and recovery. Treatment providers are available 24/7 to answer your questions about rehab, whether it’s for you or a loved one. Submit your number and receive a free call today from a treatment provider. Although there is little research to treat both these disorders simultaneously, therapy is a key success factor for any disorder.
International Patients
Estimates for lifetime comorbidity of bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder are substantial and in the range of 40–70%, both for Bipolar I and II disorder, and with male preponderance. Alcohol use disorder and bipolarity significantly influence each other’s severity and prognosis with a more complicated course of both disorders. Modern treatment concepts acknowledge the interplay between these disorders using an integrated therapy approach where both disorders are tackled in the same setting by a multi-professional team. Adding valproate to lithium may reduce alcohol consumption whereas studies with antipsychotics or naltrexone and acamprosate did not affect mood fluctuations or drinking patterns. In summary, there is a continuous need for more research in order to develop evidence-based approaches for integrated treatment of this frequent comorbidity. In conclusion, the relationship between bipolar disorder and alcohol is complex, intertwining mental health and substance use concerns.
- These acute treatments are symptom-orientated, rarely different in comorbid vs. non-comorbid patients and depend on the predominant symptomatology (affective vs. addictive) that needs attention first.
- When someone with bipolar disorder consumes alcohol, it can disrupt their medication regimen, rendering their mood stabilizers less effective.
- Of the 11 criteria, 2–3 should be fulfilled to diagnose mild alcohol use disorder (AUD) (12).
- The analyzed subgroup of bipolar patients was well-stabilized on different mood stabilizers (antipsychotics, antiepileptics, or lithium).
- Bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder (also called alcoholism and alcohol addiction) frequently occur together.
It is important to understand the risks, to know the facts, and to be cautious about drinking when living with bipolar disorder. Understanding the intricate relationship between bipolar disorder and alcohol is essential for individuals seeking a alcohol and seizures can alcohol or withdrawal trigger a seizure path to recovery and stability. The prevalence of alcohol abuse among those with bipolar disorder highlights the need to address this issue head-on. Managing alcohol use alongside bipolar disorder requires a proactive and comprehensive approach.
Consequences of Comorbidity
Medicine can be prescribed to reduce the uncontrollable state experienced, reducing the motivation to drink alcohol as a coping mechanism. Additionally, many bipolar medications does marijuana kill brain cells react very negatively with alcohol, causing effects such as intense hangovers and vomiting. Call now to connect with a treatment provider and start your recovery journey.
In younger patients, it appears that alcohol use and bipolar symptoms are more likely to increase or decrease in unison (64). The analyzed subgroup of bipolar patients was well-stabilized on different mood stabilizers (antipsychotics, antiepileptics, or lithium). Severity of depression correlated significantly with craving and drinking behavior 1 week later. It’s crucial to note that alcohol abuse not only affects the severity of bipolar symptoms but also the overall course of the disorder. Research has shown that individuals who engage in heavy alcohol consumption are more likely to experience a higher number of manic and depressive episodes. This cycle of instability can lead to a more challenging prognosis and poorer treatment outcomes.
Alcohol and Bipolar Disorder: The Risks and Consequences
This may change figures of future epidemiological studies on SUD and BD comorbidity to some degree. Research indicates a person will experience a decrease in functioning, an exacerbation (worsening) of manic or depressive symptoms, and a higher risk of suicide clopidogrel plavix when these conditions co-occur. In addition, experiencing bipolar disorder and AUD together can cause longer-lasting symptoms and a poorer response to treatment. If you’re concerned about a loved one and believe they may need residential care, we can help.
Carbamazepine has been traditionally used in acute alcohol withdrawal to reduce the risk of seizures and ameliorate physical symptoms. However, there are no reliable data whether it is of any usefulness in the long-term treatment of BD + AUD. Carbamazepine is metabolized by the liver and can, by itself, induce an increase in liver transaminases (ALAT, ASAT, γGT) and, in rare cases, cause liver failure.
Consultation with healthcare professionals is highly recommended to determine the specific medication-alcohol interactions and discuss any necessary adjustments to their treatment plan. While alcohol may provide temporary relief and a short-lived sense of relaxation, it ultimately exacerbates the symptoms and progression of bipolar disorder. Alcohol acts as a central nervous system depressant, intensifying depressive symptoms and increasing the risk of suicide in individuals with bipolar disorder. The depressive episodes become more frequent, longer-lasting, and more challenging to manage.
Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder
These acute treatments are symptom-orientated, rarely different in comorbid vs. non-comorbid patients and depend on the predominant symptomatology (affective vs. addictive) that needs attention first. For intermediate and long-term treatment, the dogma persisted for a long time that AUD needs to be treated first and sufficiently before attention should be paid to the mental health disorder. Today, strategies that promote concomitant therapy of dual disorders are the established treatment of choice (80) and recommended in major guidelines (81). However, treatment adherence and compliance remain a challenge in this special group, since medications are often not taken as prescribed (61) and psychotherapy appointments are often missed.
How these disorders are diagnosed
Drinking alcohol can pose multiple dangers for individuals with bipolar disorder. Firstly, alcohol can impair judgment and decision-making abilities, leading to impulsive and risky behavior. This can be particularly problematic during manic episodes when individuals may already experience heightened impulsivity. Engaging in dangerous activities, driving under the influence, or engaging in self-harm are serious potential consequences. Alcohol consumption can also lead to the development of alcohol-induced bipolar disorder.
For some, the relaxed feelings and the heightened mania far outweigh the negative effect alcohol has on the mood. Drinking on bipolar medication can turn one drink into several, especially drinking on an empty stomach. Alcohol can also destabilize bipolar disorder, giving up your control of emotions to an empty glass. It can possibly relieve the negative symptoms of bipolar disorder temporarily, yet can increase chances of worsening the disorder later on. Many people believe bipolar disorder references someone experiencing happiness one moment and sadness or anger the very next as if someone turned on a switch.
