Bipolar disorder and alcohol: Its not as simple as ‘self-medication’

A 2018 review looked at epidemiological data to evaluate the likelihood of people diagnosed with mood and anxiety disorders to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs to cope with challenging symptoms. Having a bipolar disorder diagnosis is linked to a higher addiction risk to alcohol or drugs. People with drug-induced bipolar disorder have similar mood shifts and symptoms as people with bipolar disorder. The difference between the two is that people with drug-induced bipolar disorder tend to have their symptoms go away after 1 month of stopping drug use.

Other features of bipolar disorder

Your environment as a young person can also influence whether you’re likely to develop AUD. In the United States, about 4.4 percent of adults will experience bipolar disorder at some point in their lives, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. A bipolar diagnosis is described as type 1 or 2, depending on the severity of symptoms.

This co-occurrence is not merely coincidental but reflects a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Like a volatile cocktail, the combination of bipolar disorder and alcohol consumption creates a dangerous mixture that can amplify symptoms, complicate treatment, and lead to dire consequences for those affected. This complex relationship between bipolar disorder and alcohol use has long been a subject of concern for mental health professionals and researchers alike. Understanding the intricate interplay between these two conditions is crucial for effective treatment and support of individuals grappling with this dual challenge. One condition can make the other worse, and vice versa, so the ideal approach to treating individuals with bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder is through integrated treatment.

The National Institutes of Health give no specific advice against using alcohol with lithium, but a doctor may provide additional information. If a person has psychosis and consumes alcohol, this can lead to both short-term and long-term complications. For this reason, addiction can’t be willed away overnight since it causes long-term physical and structural changes to the brain.

Although the etiology of the BD-AUD comorbidity is poorly understood, several explanations have been put forward. Both BD and AUD are complex-trait conditions with overlapping etiopathophysiological pathways at the genetic, neurochemical, neurophysiologic and neuroanatomic levels (Farren et al., 2012). Shared genetic basis could confer risk for both BD and AUD (Johnson et al., 2009). Interestingly, this common genetic vulnerability would not be entirely driven by confounders, such as liability for anxiety disorders (Carmiol et al., 2014). Moreover, comorbid alcohol and substance use may also be a coping strategy by which patients try to manage (e.g., by self-treatment) their mood symptoms (Bizzarri et al., 2009; Do and Mezuk, 2013). BD and addictions may share common mechanisms, including high impulsivity, executive dysfunction, susceptibility to behavioral sensitization to stressors, as well as poor modulation of motivation and responses to rewarding stimuli (Swann, 2010; Tolliver and Hartwell, 2012).

Depressive symptoms and alcohol

It’s important to note that can alcohol cause bipolar disorder is a question that often arises. While alcohol abuse doesn’t directly cause bipolar disorder, it can trigger sud counselor meaning the onset of symptoms in individuals with a genetic predisposition to the condition. Additionally, chronic alcohol use can lead to changes in brain chemistry that may increase vulnerability to mood disorders. However, this self-medication approach often backfires, leading to a vicious cycle of worsening symptoms and increased alcohol dependence.

However, with proper support and treatment, many individuals with bipolar disorder can successfully manage their condition and achieve long-term sobriety. One of the most pressing questions for individuals with bipolar disorder and their loved ones is whether alcohol makes bipolar disorder worse. The short answer is yes, alcohol can significantly exacerbate bipolar symptoms and interfere with treatment efficacy. Bipolar disorder, characterized by extreme mood swings ranging from manic highs to depressive lows, affects millions of people worldwide. This mental health condition can be challenging to manage on its own, but when combined with alcohol use, the difficulties can multiply exponentially.

Familial Risk of Bipolar Disorder and Alcoholism

Among people with bipolar disorder, the impact of drinking is noticeable. About 45 percent of people with bipolar disorder also have alcohol use disorder (AUD), according to a 2013 review. If the AUD commences before the BD, then one hypothesis for the comorbidity would be that the AUD activates a predisposition towards BD in that subgroup; although there is no genetic or familial evidence for this (Maier and Merikangas, 1996). The other hypothesis, namely that patients with BD use alcohol to self-medicate their mood symptoms, or drink a result of their tendency towards impulsive behaviours, may also apply (Swann et al., 2003).

1. Researchers have also proposed that the presence of mania may precipitate or exacerbate alcoholism (Hasin et al. 1985).
2. Indeed, high trait impulsivity may mediate some severe manifestations of this comorbidity (Swann et al., 2009; Nery et al., 2013).
3. There is also growing evidence that neurocognitive impairments are major predictors of BD patients’ long-term functional outcomes (Tabarés-Seisdedos et al., 2008; Wingo et al., 2009).
4. However, it may also be difficult to control the impulse to drink during shifts in mood.
5. Seeing a mental health professional right away is very important if you also have symptoms of bipolar disorder or another mental health condition.

Every day, we find ourselves facing choices that, on the surface, seem inconsequential. Yet, for individuals with bipolar disorder, the choice to drink can have real impacts and implications. The relationship between alcohol and bipolar disorder is complex and can tip the scales of mood, medication effects, and overall mental wellness. This detailed guide explores how alcohol can affect those with bipolar disorder and the risks of use.

The first is the “single-disorder paradigm,” in which patients are encouraged to think of themselves as having a single disorder, i.e., “bipolar substance abuse,” rather than trying to tackle two discrete disorders at once. Thinking of themselves as having a single disorder aids in the process of acceptance. With proper treatment, support, and commitment to self-care, individuals with bipolar disorder can successfully manage their condition and achieve lasting sobriety.

These neurotransmitters carry messages to nerve cells, help regulate behaviors and mood, and keep brain function smooth. About 20.2 million adults reported a substance use disorder in the last year, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). If you have bipolar disorder, AUD, or both, talk to your doctor about treatment options that will work for you. In neuroimaging studies, there are a number of areas of interest in BD and indeed in AUD that have emerged in different studies in different populations.