Bipolar Disorder and Addiction: The Importance of Clinical Assessments
Current medical research has uncovered such strong links between bipolar disorder and substance abuse that clinicians are advised to assess patients with bipolar symptoms for behavioral patterns that display evidence of comorbid drug or alcohol abuse. According to clinical literature, many people with bipolar disorder experience dramatic discomfort from the recurrent cycle of mania and depression, and they frequently turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate their condition. Sadly, self-medication often leads to substance abuse, a problem that further endangers the client’s mental and physical health.
Substance Abuse and the Bipolar Cycle
Some people with mental health challenges like bipolar disorder turn to drugs with sedating effects, such as alcohol, depressants, marijuana, and opiates. These substances seem to provide a temporary relief outlet, taking the proverbial edge off the mood swings associated with bipolar disorder. Alternatively, others with bipolar disorder use substances that create a sense of euphoric intensity, like cocaine, amphetamines, and other uppers. These drugs can hasten the reemergence of mania symptoms, making it virtually impossible for the patient to stabilize the underlying condition.
Addiction itself can mimic the cycle of mania and depression that defines bipolar disorder. Many times it may appear that the patient is suffering from BPD when, in fact, it is substance abuse habits that are creating the symptoms. To stop this pattern in its tracks, it is essential that those with these types of addiction symptoms be screened for bipolar disorder once they have entered an extended period of sobriety. An accurate clinical assessment is an essential first step towards recovery, and our team excels at delivering reliable, comprehensive diagnoses that allow Coast to Coast Recovery to create individually tailored recovery programs.
How We Help Clients Recover from Addiction & Bi-Polar Disorder
Our partner facilities use an approach that combine scientifically proven best practices to help clients empower themselves to make a steady journey down the road to recovery. Using an integrated combination of clinical intervention and spiritual self-exploration, we help recovering individuals build the inner strength and self-confidence they need to face, defeat, and heal from substance abuse and bi-polar disorder.
If you have a drug or alcohol addiction, Get Help Today!
It is imperative if you or a loved one is suffering from drug or alcohol addiction along with depression or another mental disorder (Dual Diagnosis), please get help. Coast to Coast Recovery Centers provide you with the best Addiction Treatment Centers in the United States. There are a variety of treatment options available. Get Insurance Verification to determine if your insurance provider covers alcohol abuse or addiction treatment. At Coast to Coast Recovery, you can find a range of addiction treatment services from holistic healing and complementary therapies to 12-step programs and Christian-based teaching. Let us help you end a life of addiction and start your journey to lasting sobriety. To learn more, call (800) 210-8229.