It is not uncommon for someone to suffer both from bipolar disorder as well as alcoholism. While can be difficult to determine which condition came first, the presence of both can further complicate the treatment plan. With proper diagnosis and specialized treatment, however, it is possible to treat both conditions to ultimately improve a patient's quality of life.
Which Came First?
In some cases, Mayo Clinic psychiatrist Daniel K. Hall-Flavin writes that bipolar disorder clearly develops prior to the onset of alcoholism. When this is the case, bipolar disorder may increase the risk of alcoholism or other forms of substance abuse, in part because the existence of bipolar disorder leads patients to self-medicate using alcohol. When substance abuse occurs first, the symptoms of bipolar disorder can emerge during intoxication or during alcohol withdrawal. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), early exposure to drugs or alcohol may alter the brain such that it increases the risk for mental disorders like bipolar disorder.
A Further Complication
When bipolar disorder and alcoholism occur together, each can worsen the symptoms and severity of the other, according to the Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic psychiatrist Dr. Daniel K. Hall-Flavin also adds that any substance abuse including alcohol can complicate treatment for bipolar disorder, and that alcoholism treatment can be greatly hindered by untreated bipolar disorder.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
The term "dual diagnosis" is often used when a patient has both a mental health diagnosis together with a substance abuse disorder. As is the case with most dual diagnosis patients, those with alcoholism together with bipolar disorder often require the expertise and treatment of a team of mental health care providers who specialize in both disorders, as well as who have experience both when they occur in tandem. The first step is often to enter a detox program to rid the body of alcohol. The second step involves rehabilitation for substance abuse together with mental health treatment. Step two usually involves a combination of medications and behavioral therapies, according to the NIH website Medline Plus.
The Statistics
According to NIDA, those with a substance abuse addiction are twice as likely to have a mental health disorder than the general population. These people are also more likely to develop a mental health disorder in the future. Conversely, people who have a mental health disorder like bipolar disorder are twice as likely as the general population to experience alcoholism.
A Genetic Link
Although a genetic link is suspected, according to the Mayo Clinic website, a genetic connection between bipolar disorder and alcoholism has not been clearly established. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, while genetic factors may make a person susceptible to both alcoholism and bipolar disorder, environmental triggers like stress and trauma are all likely to play a role.
