Is there a link between bipolar disorder and substance abuse?
Bipolar disorder and substance abuse disorder are entirely separate mental health ailments, but they often go hand-in-hand. Those who suffer from bipolar disorder are massively overrepresented when it comes to substance abuse than those who are mentally healthy. But can one cause the other, or is it just a correlation? Let’s explore these two disorders and the link between them.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by major mood swings. Those that suffer from bipolar disorder experience intense bursts of euphoria and energy called mania or hypomania, as well as emotional lows called depressive episodes.
These mood swings can happen frequently or rarely. It’s a lifelong condition, but you can manage your symptoms through treatment. In most cases, this involves behavioral therapy and medications.
Bipolar 1 vs. Bipolar 2
While the symptoms are largely the same, there are two types of bipolar disorder: Type 1 and Type 2. The difference between them is defined by the severity of symptoms. Those suffering from type 1 bipolar disorder experience full manic episodes, while type 2 bipolar sufferers experience lesser hypomanic episodes.
Those with type 2 bipolar disorder also experience major depressive episodes which last at least two weeks. Because the hypomanic episodes are less severe, this disorder is sometimes misdiagnosed as depression.
What is substance abuse disorder?
Substance abuse disorder is another term for drug addiction, and it’s characterized by a person’s inability to control their use of a drug. Substances like alcohol, nicotine, and cocaine are common examples, but some drugs are far more chemically addictive than others.
Substance abuse disorder is also characterized by a need to increase doses over time to reach a desired effect. Often, those who suffer from addiction need their drug of choice just to feel normal. In some cases, quitting can lead to physical withdrawal symptoms that can be dangerous.
The link between bipolar disorder and addiction
Studies have shown an overwhelming correlation between these two disorders. Bipolar 1 disorder co-occurs with substance abuse disorder in about 40% of cases, while bipolar 2 disorder co-occurs with substance abuse about 20% of the time.
Understanding the link between these two disorders is tricky, in part because experts aren’t exactly sure what causes either of them. However, most do agree that there are both genetic and environmental factors at work.
Someone is far more likely to develop bipolar disorder if a parent or sibling has a history with the illness. However, it’s widely accepted that there is no one single gene that causes it. Scientists are also getting closer to identifying genes which predispose someone to substance abuse.
On the other hand, studies have linked environmental factors like childhood trauma to the onset of bipolar disorder. Obviously a substance use disorder cannot develop without someone being exposed to substances to abuse, so even with a genetic predisposition, an environmental factor is necessary. Additionally, early trauma also makes someone more likely to develop substance abuse disorder.
The question then remains: can one disorder lead to the other, or are the risk factors just similar enough to frequently result in both? The question isn’t easily answered.
Can bipolar disorder lead to substance abuse disorder?
Because bipolar disorder causes radical shifts in mood, many who suffer from the illness are tempted to seek relief through the use of drugs. Early on, these drugs can seem to work, but when people continue to seek this relief, a substance use disorder can develop.
It’s also been documented that those who suffer from either illness tend to have much higher rates of impulsivity than someone who is mentally healthy. If someone is more impulsive due to being bipolar, this also makes them more likely to engage in risky behaviors like substance abuse.
However, it isn’t entirely fair to say that when this happens, bipolar disorder has led to substance abuse disorder. Even if impulsive behaviors stemming from being bipolar lead to substance abuse, the drug itself should be considered. Chemically addictive substances can create addictions in anyone exposed to them, regardless of the reasons why.
Can you develop bipolar disorder due to substance abuse?
Both disorders are characterized by chemical dysfunction in the brain’s reward and motivation systems, so it’s possible that someone who develops a substance addiction can display symptoms of bipolar disorder, especially feelings of mania when intoxicated by their drug of choice. Depressive-like episodes are also common during periods of withdrawal.
However, there isn’t currently evidence that a substance abuse problem can cause continued bipolar symptoms after a user has quit using their drug of choice past the point of withdrawal symptoms.
Can substance abuse disorder and bipolar disorder work in tandem?
While the link between these two disorders is still unclear, it seems most likely that the two disorders work in tandem. Neither is wholly dependent on one another, but the symptoms of one can mimic and exacerbate the symptoms of the other.
Regardless of their link, there is one conclusion that is safe to make: if you suffer from either bipolar disorder or substance abuse disorder, it’s incredibly important to get treatment as soon as possible. If and when symptoms develop for both, they can greatly reduce overall quality of life and make it more difficult to get mentally healthy.
Mental health services at Great Salt Plains Health Center
If you believe you might be suffering from symptoms of bipolar disorder, substance abuse disorder, or any other mental health problem, come and visit us at GSP Health. Our compassionate staff wants to help you get your mind back into top shape, so you can live the healthy, happy life that you deserve. Contact us today to learn more.