Bipolar Disorder and Drug Abuse

Bipolar and drug abuse often occur together. Drugs or alcohol abuse or dependency may occur at some stage in about most of bipolar individuals and seems to be more often with adolescent onset bipolar disorder. Substance abuse with alcohol, marijuana, amphetamines, cocaine, opiates is known to occur.

It is not known whether the drug abuse is the result of having bipolar disorder or if the symptoms similar to those of bipolar result from the drug abuse. Cocaine use is similar to mania. When substance abuse co exists with bipolar it complicates the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder. Chronic marijuana use especially in teens increases the risk of bipolar psychotic episode.

There seems to be a connection between a family predisposition to mania and drug abuse and where this exists the drug abuse may develop into bipolar I disorder.

Some psychiatrists believe that the drug abuse might be a way of self-medicating the uncontrollable mood swings of bipolar disorder. Where treatment is not sought either through ignorance or denial, there is a reason for the symptoms do not show. The drug abuse is supposed to relieve the symptoms or stabilize the moods the use of substances worsen the situation like cocaine during manic episodes and alcohol during periods of depression. 

The behavior patterns and symptoms of bi polar disorder like excessive involvement in pleasurable activities, poor judgment etc make them more inclined to drug abuse.

Studies have also shown links between bipolar substance abuse and crime. Men seem to offend and get arrested more often than women. However the link to criminal activity may be part of the symptoms of mania and the problem that bipolars have with money.

There is no doubt that the symptoms of mania are like those of a substance abusers highs and lows. Perhaps this is a reason for the parallel and connection of the two.   While there are many questions about this subject more research needs to be done to find the