Bipolar disorder is a severe mental health condition that often leads to substance abuse. The truth is that there are a number of ways that bipolar disorder can lead to addiction. The result of this is that individuals often seek services of a program with highly-trained and qualified professionals, such as South Tampa Psychiatry. To learn about the treatment options available at our treatment program, contact our team today at 866.273.5017.
Facts about Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that can cause significant changes in activity levels, mood, energy levels, and the ability to perform daily tasks. It can also result in changes in concentration levels. The changes may be different among different individuals that have bipolar disorder.
The changes that potentially result in bipolar disorder can occur in all three types of bipolar disorder. The changes occur as manic episodes or as depressive episodes. The manic episodes may include symptoms such as:
- Feeling energized or elated
- Feeling up or unusually euphoric
- Demonstrating irritability
- Demonstrating rapid thoughts or speech
However, the changes that may occur during depressive episodes are incredibly different. A person struggles with feeling sad and hopeless. They may feel indifferent to what is happening around them and experience suicidal thoughts or actions.
An individual diagnosed with bipolar disorder may receive that diagnosis during young adulthood. Some adults do not realize that they have a bipolar disorder until diagnosed with it later in life, often during an assessment for addiction treatment.
Bipolar Disorder and Addiction
Bipolar disorder often leads to addiction in people due to the complex nature of the mental health disorder. Many individuals seek to self-medicate their symptoms using drugs or alcohol. Alcohol is often the drug of choice, although other substances are also commonly abused. Several sources indicate that more than half of the individuals with bipolar disorder may have an issue with addiction. This problem occurs in both adults and young adults, who may need dual diagnosis treatment.
The issue with bipolar disorder and addiction to one or more drugs does not involve illicit street drugs. Prescription drug abuse may become a severe issue for those with bipolar disorder.
Treating Bipolar Disorder and Addiction
Treating both bipolar disorder and addiction is critical to the recovery of a client who is facing both these issues. Ridding the body of any illicit substance is often the first step to recovery, followed by a dual diagnosis treatment program.
Once you or your loved one completes a detox program, the next step is entering into a treatment program. Some people make the mistake of assuming that they do not need to enter into a treatment program after completing the detox process. Individuals that go home from detox without entering into treatment often relapse. They then return to alcohol abuse or using other drugs again.
Treatment requires an assessment and then a comprehensive treatment program based on the client’s needs. The addiction treatment experts at South Tampa Psychiatry provide effective mental health and substance abuse services in a safe environment.
Reach Out to South Tampa Psychiatry Today
You do not have to experience the effects of bipolar disorder and addiction alone. Contact South Tampa Psychiatry at 866.273.5017. or contact us online to start taking back your life. You can live free of the alcohol and other drugs you use to self-medicate, whether you were aware of the presence of bipolar disorder or not aware that you experience this complex mental health disorder.
Learn to live without the addiction to drugs as a means of self-medicating your bipolar symptoms. Effective treatment programs are available, which we will be happy to discuss with you.
