More than 20 million Americans struggle with addiction every year. Many of those Americans also suffer from a mental health disorder that increases their risk of developing an addiction. For years, doctors have found connections between mental health disorders and addiction. Unfortunately, it can often be a challenge to definitively say which appeared first.
Research suggests that people with some mental health disorders are more likely to become addicted to drugs or alcohol during periods of high life stress. People without mental health disorders, on the other hand, are more likely to start using drugs during times of low life stress. Researchers believe the findings could be the key to identifying those people most at risk for drug addiction.
Addiction experts know that when an individual is seeking addiction help, their whole self needs treatment. When an individual suffers from a bipolar disorder and addiction, both need to be fully addressed before they can truly get better.
Bipolar Disorder and Addiction: A Combination Not To Be Ignored
Bipolar disorder (previously referred to as manic depression) is a mental health disorder characterized by severe shifts in mood. These fluctuations can range from euphoria to severe depression, and individuals suffering from this disorder also experience dramatic inconsistencies in their energy levels, as well as their behaviors.
Persons affected by this disorder experience countless difficulties. Some of the most notable symptoms people experience include:
- Deteriorating relationships
- Impulsivity
- Money management difficulties
- Accidental physical injuries
- Suicide
It is important to note that persons struggling with this diagnosis are at a much higher risk of developing an addiction.
Statistics show that individuals suffering from bipolar disorder have a higher risk of developing substance abuse disorders than those suffering from other mental health disorders. The relationship between bipolar disorder and addiction may be genetic, and the disorder often goes undiagnosed. According to a survey involving 500 diagnosed individuals, 48% of patients received five or more medical consultations before receiving their diagnosis.
These non-diagnoses mean that there are possibly thousands of people who suffer from bipolar disorder and are not aware of it.
There Is Hope for Bipolar Disorder and Addiction
It is important to note that excessive use of drugs or alcohol is likely to worsen symptoms of this disorder. People dealing with bipolar disorder often opt to self-medicate their severe mood symptoms with the use of substances. Alcohol and several other substances are depressants, which may worsen already existing depressive symptoms of the disorder. When the effects of the drug or alcohol wear off, anxiety and depression may worsen.
For people with bipolar disorder, it is also important to note that several drugs are addictive substances. Using these drugs can lead to addiction, or compulsive behavior which causes an overwhelming need for a certain substance in order to function normally. The person begins to focus all his or her energy on getting and using the drug. The individual will also soon experience intense cravings for the substance, as well as withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the drug.
Dual diagnosis treatment for bipolar disorder in combination with substance abuse is a process. Recovery is a journey, and relapse does not signify failure. Relapse is a natural roadblock in the process of recovering from co-occurring disorders. In fact, it may be a message that an individual’s treatment may need to be adjusted or refocused. Each person struggling with co-occurring disorders requires individualized treatment and care, and facilities whose expertise is in dual-diagnosis treatment may be the best option.
Finding Bipolar Treatment at Serenity House Detox & Recovery
Addiction has taken center stage over the past decades due to the ongoing opioid crisis. More and more people fall victim to addiction and too many people lose their lives. At Serenity House Detox & Recovery, we are here to help you in your battle against addiction. We offer a number of programs to help you or a loved one overcome your addiction. Some of these programs include:
- Alcohol detox program
- Trauma therapy program
- Heroin detox program
- Cocaine detox program
- Art therapy program
- Meth detox program
Addiction treatment at a quality drug rehab center, specifically a dual-diagnosis program, serves as a powerful option for those suffering from co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Beginning addiction treatment in a place unfamiliar to you, such as the warm and picturesque environment of Florida, may be your best option for a successful treatment outcome. It is never the wrong time to get addiction help.
Call Serenity House Detox & Recovery today at 866.294.5306 to speak to an addiction expert. Together, we can beat addiction and start living a better future. Make the call today.
