Bipolar disease is a mental illness that is characterized by extreme mood swings that shift from very high to very low. Also known as manic depression, the condition can be debilitating and prevent normal daily activities. According to the Mayo Clinic, marijuana use is common among people with bipolar disorder, but researchers are not sure whether substance abuse is a cause of or a result of manic depression.
Co-Existing
People, who suffer with bipolar disorder often self-medicate with marijuana. Prior to a diagnosis of manic depression, patients often are thought of as moody and unsocial. They rarely develop acceptable coping skills and when first introduced to drugs, they find temporary relief from their mood shifts. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that while the drugs may help to alleviate the symptoms, drug use also can intensify and prolong the mental disorder. Addiction also gets in the way of mental health treatment when family and friends believe the behavior is a result of the substance abuse.
Dual-Diagnosis
People who are addicted to drugs, including marijuana, must first be detoxed from the substance before they can be treated for their mental condition. The side effects of substance abuse often mimic the same symptoms as mental illness. Drug therapy such as mood stabilizers and anti-depressants cannot be mixed with other drugs because of possible interactions. Additional side effects from the anti-anxiety medications can be exaggerated or negated by continued use of marijuana.
Therapy
Therapy for bipolar disorder often coincides well with substance abuse treatment plans following detoxification. Cognitive behavioral therapy involves talking that can help the patient understand his symptoms and tries to uncover the issues that led to both the drug use and the subsequent mental illness. Cognitive therapy also provides means for patients to learn how to relax and teaches coping techniques that can help the patient better handle stressors in his life that lead to manic or depressive episodes and continued drug abuse.
Family
Family members are encouraged to participate in therapy for both bipolar disorder and substance abuse. The patient's behavior has more than likely interrupted normal family relationships that must be healed. In addition, family members need to know what to expect from the patient once he returns home from treatment. Family members also should be educated on the signs of repeated marijuana use that include lethargy, sneaking around, financial difficulties, poor memory and swings in appetite.
Groups
Support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous or Find the Light can provide extended treatment for the lifelong disorder. Meeting with others who share the same disorders can help the patient to understand his own illness while learning new ways to cope with the disorders. Programs that include a 12-step approach provide one-on-one mentorship through sponsorship, group-therapy type discussions and consistent meeting times and places. Online support groups can be available whenever the patient needs a positive boost.
