How Manic Episodes Fuel Addictions

Bipolar disorder is a condition that can cause immense fluctuations in one’s mood. It is a difficult condition to live with, and it is not uncommon for people to turn to substances to cope with this condition. This can be to manage the depressive episodes that come with bipolar disorder, or in manic episodes, you might impulsively consume substances. 

It is a difficult position to be in, but remember that it can help to understand both the conditions and how they interact with each other. By psycho-educating yourself about your or your loved one’s experience with a mental health condition, you take the first step towards destigmatising mental disorders.

Also read: Towards Better Mental Health: Understanding Mood Disorders and the Stigma Around it

What is bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that severely impacts your mood, energy, and ability to function. Different types of bipolar disorder such as bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, and cyclothymia interact uniquely with the effects of substance abuse.

Bipolar disorder can lead you to experience episodes of mania, hypomania, and depression. Mania refers to feeling extreme happiness or irritation, hypomania refers to experiencing manic symptoms less severely, and depression refers to feeling intense sadness and despair.

Related: What is Bipolar Disorder?

How are bipolar disorder and substance abuse connected?

Before understanding how bipolar disorder and substance abuse are connected, it is important to realise that bipolar disorder in itself can be difficult to manage given its extreme mood shifts. Your mood can impact many important factors such as your decision-making abilities, concentration levels, and social interactions.

Related: Debunking Common Myths: What You Need to Know About Bipolar Disorder

This can make you resort to alcohol or other drugs to cope with the anxiety and stress that follows the mood shifts. The relief obtained can be temporarily calming and can help you stay distracted from the agitation of extreme situations and moods.

However, bipolar disorder and substance abuse can result in many complications when they come together. Issues around impulse control and emotion regulation can exacerbate, as they are common traits shared by both these conditions.

Also read: What Are The Five Factors That Contribute to Substance Abuse?

There are various reasons for both conditions co-occurring in different individuals. Genetics passed on from the previous generation can increase the risk of developing both mental conditions. Drastic or negative life events can escalate you to turn to substance abuse if you are already diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Moreover, experiencing intense euphoria during manic episodes can result in lowered inhibition and poor judgement. This can make it difficult to regulate your alcohol intake and drug use. Regardless to say, its effects can worsen the symptoms of bipolar disorder.

As it can get extremely challenging to manage both conditions simultaneously, chances of physical violence and suicide can also increase if there is a lack of support and treatment adherence. Hence, a supportive and caring environment from friends and family and your mental health practitioner plays a significant role in coping. 

Related: Social Isolation: How Does It Impact Your Substance Use Patterns?

Bottom line

Talk therapy and medication are primary treatment options for bipolar disorder and for coping with substance abuse. You can also join a virtual community, “Addiction support” to share your experience or simply hear others going through something similar.

Coping with 2 severe mental health conditions can be challenging, to say the least. Many people struggle to understand and navigate through 2 or more mental health conditions alone. Hence, it can be helpful to talk to a mental health coach about what can work best for you right now.

Related: The Impact of Therapy and Medication on Mental Health Recovery

Remember that you are trying your best with what you have right now to cope with your mental condition, and you’re not alone.