Bipolar Disorder and Addiction

Bipolar disorder, once called manic depression, is a mental health disorder that brings intense and often erratic mood swings. These can range from feeling on top of the world during manic or hypomanic episodes to the deep sadness and exhaustion of depression. For some, these shifts last only a few days, but others can stretch for weeks or months.

In the UK, it is estimated that over 1.3 million people live with one of the three main types of bipolar disorder:

Bipolar disorder symptoms can show up in many ways, affecting how you think, feel and act. It often influences your energy, mood, behaviour and even your ability to make decisions or focus.

During manic episodes, some of the most common bipolar disorder symptoms include:

• Bursts of extreme happiness or excitement
• Feeling overly confident or invincible
• Speaking quickly or having a flood of thoughts all at once
• Acting impulsively or taking risks a lot
• Getting agitated or irritated over small things
• Feeling like you can’t stop moving
• Sleeping very little but still feeling full of energy

On the other side of the coin, depressive bipolar disorder symptoms include:

• Deep sadness or a sense of hopelessness
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
• Anxiety or constant worry
• Feeling weighed down by guilt
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Eating too little or too much
• Exhaustion that doesn’t go away
• Not feeling motivated to do anything
• Irritability or feeling on edge
• Persistent aches or pains without a clear cause

If these bipolar disorder symptoms sound familiar, either for you or someone you care about, getting a professional diagnosis can prevent the most serious consequences.

Around 70% of people with bipolar disorder also struggle with addiction at some point in their lives, and for some, addiction is a long-term issue. Living with bipolar disorder can be too much to bear, and some people turn to drugs or alcohol to feel better during the lows or to keep the highs going. As is often seen with dual diagnosis, this coping method may seem like it helps for a while, but the improvements rarely last.

Another reason for the high rates of co-occurring bipolar disorder and addiction could be the way bipolar affects the choices you make. Impulsive decisions or risky behaviour are common with bipolar disorder, and that can make you more likely to experiment with drugs or alcohol.

On top of that, some of the medicines used to manage bipolar disorder symptoms can be addictive, which adds another pathway of trouble.

Whatever the case, addiction and bipolar disorder symptoms eventually start feeding into each other. This creates a pattern of more intense highs, crushing lows and increased substance use to cope. Changing this pattern alone is incredibly tough, which is why professional bipolar disorder and addiction treatment is so important.

At Liberty House, we are well-versed in the added difficulties of managing addiction alongside bipolar disorder. We take a thoughtful approach, treating the causes and symptoms of addiction while also considering the unique needs of bipolar sufferers.

For care that looks at the full picture all at once, our UKAT London Clinic provides dual bipolar disorder and addiction treatment.

Whichever route you choose, you will take part in a range of addiction and bipolar therapy forms, including:

Taking the first step toward recovery might feel like standing at the edge of the unknown, but it’s also where hope begins. At Liberty House, we are ready to walk this path with you, offering care and support that fits your unique story. Contact us today – Together, we will tackle the challenges of bipolar disorder and addiction and build a life that feels steady and full of possibility.