Bipolar Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder: A review PMC
A slimmed version with twelve sessions, developed by the same group, also demonstrated effectiveness (94). Alcohol dependence is also highly genetic (Mayfield et al., 2008), and a wide range of studies confirm that association (Kendler et al., 2009). Bipolar disorder (BD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are independently a common cause of significant psychopathology in the general population. BD can affect up to 3% of the population in some countries; with the increasing awareness of the bipolar spectrum of disorders, this figure could increase over time. The co-morbidity of AUD in BD can reach 45% (Kessler et al., 1997; Cardoso et al., 2008), and the odds ratio for AUD in bipolar I disorder is higher than for bipolar II disorder, ( 3.5 and 2.6 respectively) (Hasin et al., 2007).
Can bipolar disorder be prevented?
Bipolar II disorder is not a milder form of bipolar I disorder, but a separate diagnosis. While the manic episodes of bipolar I disorder can be severe and dangerous, individuals with bipolar II disorder can be depressed for longer periods, which can cause significant impairment. By fostering understanding, empathy, and awareness, we can create a supportive environment for individuals living with bipolar disorder and alcohol concerns.
High BDNF serum levels are associated to good cognitive functioning in bipolar disorder
Criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse, on the other hand, do not include the craving and lack of control over drinking that are characteristic of alcoholism. The lifetime prevalence of alcohol abuse is approximately 10 percent (Kessler et al. 1997). Alcohol abuse often occurs in early adulthood and is usually a precursor to alcohol dependence (APA 1994). However, also the reverse is true (66), the pattern and frequency of AUD can foster new episodes of BD, both mania and depression (67, 68); increasing severity of AUD predicts occurrence of a new major depressive episode (MDE) (69).
Seeking help with AUD and mental health conditions
In the next section, we will delve deeper into the specific impact of alcohol on bipolar disorder, debunk common misconceptions, and explore the interactions between alcohol and bipolar medications. Stay with us to gain a comprehensive understanding of alcohol’s effects on bipolar disorder. It’s important to recognize that depending on alcohol for temporary relief can ultimately hinder the management of bipolar disorder and impede progress in recovery. Seeking healthier and more sustainable coping strategies, such as therapy, mindfulness techniques, and support networks, is crucial for individuals with bipolar disorder. Alcohol, a legal and widely available substance, is often used as a way to relax, socialize, or cope with stress.
What Is the Connection Between Bipolar Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder?
Seeking professional help and building a strong support network are crucial steps on the path to recovery. In cases where both alcoholism and bipolar disorder coexist, a dual diagnosis approach is necessary. Treating both conditions simultaneously through integrated treatment programs can provide the best chance for successful recovery and long-term stability.
Alcohol’s physical effects on the body
- The analyzed subgroup of bipolar patients was well-stabilized on different mood stabilizers (antipsychotics, antiepileptics, or lithium).
- Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain.
- If you have bipolar disorder, partaking in substances may feel good at the moment, but they can end up causing negative health effects in the long run.
- Some studies have evaluated the effects of valproate, lithium, and naltrexone, as well as psychosocial interventions, in treating alcoholic bipolar patients, but further research is needed.
- Mental health providers use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to diagnose the type of bipolar disorder a person may be experiencing.
People with bipolar disorder and an SUD may have greater health challenges that affect their ability to follow and complete treatment regimens. The researchers found a direct link between alcohol consumption and the rate of occurrence of manic or depressive episodes, even when study participants drank a relatively small amount of alcohol. In addition, bipolar disorder can have a long-term negative impact on a person’s relationships, work, and social life.
How Does Alcohol Affect Your Brain?
The treatment for depression that co-occurs with AUD is typically the same and may also involve alcohol dependence medication, such as naltrexone. People with bipolar disorder who are experiencing a severe manic episode with hallucinations may be incorrectly diagnosed with schizophrenia. Bipolar disorder can also be misdiagnosed as borderline personality disorder (BPD). People who are in manic states may indulge in activities that cause them physical, social or financial harm, such as suddenly spending or gambling extreme amounts of money or driving recklessly. They also occasionally develop psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, which can cause difficulties in distinguishing bipolar disorder from other disorders such as schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
An SUD is actually a mental health condition that impairs a person’s ability to control their substance use. When in a manic state, people with bipolar disorder may be prone to pleasurable activities that have a high potential for negative consequences. This can include things like shopping sprees, sex without a condom or other barrier method, or substance use and misuse.
In AUD, while there is a higher incidence in men, the genetic component may be more prominent in women (Kendler et al., 1992). There are neurochemical abnormalities in both disorders in the serotonin/dopamine pathways, which could suggest a similar pathology in both disorders (Yasseen et al., 2010). BD is a highly genetic disorder, with a family history in about 80% of patients. If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial 988 to contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and connect with a trained counselor.
Some symptoms of mental health conditions, such as stress or negative emotions, may increase the risk of excessive alcohol use if a person uses alcohol to cope with their symptoms. People with alcohol use disorder (AUD) have high rates of co-occurring mental health conditions. Symptoms of mental health conditions and excessive alcohol use may contribute to each other bidirectionally. People with bipolar disorder typically need mood-stabilizing medication to manage manic or hypomanic episodes. If you feel that you sometimes drink too much alcohol, or your drinking is causing problems, or if your family is concerned about your drinking, talk with your health care provider.
Treating bipolar disorder without addressing alcohol abuse leaves a significant gap in the recovery process, potentially compromising the individual’s overall well-being and stability. Individuals with bipolar disorder already face a heightened risk of suicide and self-harm, and alcohol exacerbates this risk. Alcohol can impair judgment and decision-making abilities, lower inhibitions, and intensify depressive thoughts and feelings of hopelessness.
If you’re affected by both bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder, there are many pathways to recovery. It may not always be the easiest road, but there are people who are ready to help you navigate it. When a person takes their medication, they are in a better position to manage their condition. However, adhering to treatment can be difficult for some people with bipolar disorder.
The association between neurocognitive function, inflammatory markers and BDNF levels was also explored in BD and BD+AUD patients. Although many studies have focused on immune system presentation in BD patients (Modabbernia et al., 2013), there have been limited studies investigating the effects of alcohol on the immune system in BD patients. Because of the high comorbidity of AUD substance use and co-occurring mental disorders national institute of mental health nimh and BD, studying the expression of inflammatory markers in comorbid BD and AUD is important. We hypothesized that BD patients may have elevated inflammatory cytokine profiles, while those with BD+AUD may have greater dysregulation in the immune system than those with BD-only. This may cause alcohol misuse and bipolar disorder each to trigger symptoms of the other condition.
The Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism is a family pedigree investigation that enrolled treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent probands who met the DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence (70). Of the 228 Bipolar probands, 75.4% (74% ecstasy mdma or molly in bipolar I patients and 77% in bipolar II patients) fulfilled criteria for DSM-IV life time alcohol dependence. In younger patients, it appears that alcohol use and bipolar symptoms are more likely to increase or decrease in unison (64).
In one study, depressed, recently abstinent alcohol users were randomly assigned to receive sertraline 100 mg daily or placebo.39 Significant improvement was noted in HDRS and Beck Depression Inventory scores at 3- and 6-week intervals. Mania and hypomania are two distinct types of episodes, but they have the same symptoms. Mania is a beginners guide to doing drugs for the first time more severe than hypomania and causes more noticeable problems at work, school and social activities, as well as relationship difficulties. Mania may also trigger a break from reality (psychosis) and require hospitalization. When you become depressed, you may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest or pleasure in most activities.
Past guidance around alcohol use generally suggests a daily drink poses little risk of negative health effects — and might even offer a few health benefits. The prevalence of AUD in people with schizophrenia is around 11%, with a lifetime prevalence of 21%. People must have at least five of the above symptoms, including a persistent depressed mood, to have a depression diagnosis.
When alcohol enters the picture during a manic episode, it can intensify these symptoms, leading to heightened self-destructive behavior and diminished inhibitions. The causes of alcohol-induced bipolar disorder are not well understood, but it is believed that alcohol’s impact on neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly dopamine and serotonin, plays a significant role. Alcohol-induced bipolar disorder can be challenging to diagnose accurately, as it requires observing the individual’s symptoms in the absence of alcohol use. Alcohol, when introduced into the life of an individual with bipolar disorder, can have a profound impact on the course and severity of the illness. Let’s explore the various ways in which alcohol can interact with bipolar disorder. Very little research has examined specific treatments that can help people with both bipolar disorder and SUD.
Your doctor may also conduct a medical exam to rule out the possibility of other underlying conditions. You also must have experienced one or more hypomanic episodes lasting for at least 4 days. All that’s needed for a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder is the development of a manic episode.