News / Health & Wellness
Bipolar and Addiction
Bipolar disorder puts its sufferers at higher risk of substance abuse and dependence, complicating treatment and making symptoms even worse.
Bipolar can bring on mood swings, mania, panic and a deep depression. Add to that the results of a 1990 study that showed 56 percent of bipolar patients also have a substance abuse problem, and the situation just gets worse.
Dangers of Self-medicating
When an individual begins self-medicating, they are less likely to take their prescribed medications. The alcohol and illegal drugs also interact with those prescription medications, making them ineffective or creating unwanted new problems from the drug interactions. In the end, the alcohol and drugs just make an individual’s bipolar worse, leading to more frequent mood swings, increased and lengthier hospital stays and higher rates of suicide or attempted suicide.
Treatment programs like The Canyon specialize in treating alcohol and substance abuse along with disorders like bipolar. By treating both problems together, we see greater success during treatment and better results for long-term recover.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
If you or someone you love is battling a dual diagnosis, call us at our toll-free. Someone is there to take your call 24 hours a day and answer any questions you have about treatment, financing or insurance.
