Bipolar Disorder and Alcohol: Why Are They So Frequently Connected?
Having a mental health condition impacts every aspect of your life. Some days it feels impossible to get out of your head, leaving you to wonder how you can silence the thoughts of depression or anxiety. Finally, you find a solution in alcohol, but this ends up being a temporary fix. The thoughts return, even louder than before.
Sound familiar? According to a survey in 2023, 35% of adults aged 18 and older had a mental health condition and co-occurring substance use disorder in the U.S. This showcases the need for addressing multiple conditions simultaneously to ensure effective treatment.
Clean Recovery Centers specializes in mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders. We often see bipolar and alcohol use disorders occur together. Today, we are discussing the connection between the two.
How Alcohol Impacts Bipolar Disorder: Unraveling the Connection
Alcohol use and bipolar disorder are commonly connected, with rates of occurrence being higher than most co-occurring conditions. Both have significant effects on the brain, mood, emotions, and behaviors individually, and when combined, the effects drastically increase. A key characteristic of bipolar disorder is intense mood swings changing between manic highs and depressive lows. Alcohol, as a central nervous system depressant, can worsen these mood fluctuations and intensify overall symptoms.
One study found that 45% of participants diagnosed with bipolar I or II disorder also had a co-occurring alcohol use disorder. However, the results showed that alcohol use increased mood instability and poorer work functioning but drinking was not caused by increased mood symptoms. This indicates that shifts in mood from bipolar disorder do not necessarily cause the person to turn to alcohol to cope but rather the alcohol causes mood and behavioral symptoms to increase. The connection between bipolar disorder and alcohol use needs further research to understand the true interplay of both.
Shared Symptoms of Alcohol Use and Bipolar Disorder: What to Watch For
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and bipolar disorder share many symptoms, and when the conditions occur together, the symptoms can overlap with one another. Let’s take a look at the different areas affected by AUD and bipolar disorder.
Mood Swings
Both alcohol use and bipolar disorder can lead to significant mood fluctuations. Bipolar disorder involves alternating periods of mania and depression, with episodes lasting for days to weeks at a time depending on the type. Though mood shifts sometimes stem from a trigger, oftentimes they occur without warning.
Alcohol use causes shifts in mood both in the short-term and long-term. When first consumed, alcohol induces temporary euphoria or relaxation. As drinking continues, irritability, sadness, and emotional instability begin. This is due to alcohol’s effects on decision-making, inhibitions, and cognitive ability. Over time, continued alcohol consumption can lead to dependence, exacerbating mood symptoms when alcohol is not present in the body.
Those with bipolar disorder who drink heavily will experience these shifts in mood more often and more intensely, especially if the person begins developing an alcohol use disorder.
Impulsivity and Risky Behaviors
Impulsivity is a common symptom of manic episodes in bipolar disorder and is also frequent among those consuming alcohol. Impulsive decisions include reckless spending, engaging in unsafe sex, or driving while intoxicated.
In bipolar disorder and alcohol use, impulsivity stems from the impairment of the frontal lobe of the brain. This is where decision-making, judgment, and impulse control take place, and when impaired by mania, alcohol, or both, risky behaviors can ensue.
Sleep Disruptions
Both alcohol use and bipolar disorder are known to disrupt sleep patterns. Insomnia and irregular sleep schedules are common during manic and depressive episodes. Alcohol initially acts as a sedative, helping people fall asleep. However, it disrupts the sleep cycle by reducing the quality of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, leading to fatigue and irritability the next day. A lack of quality sleep will increase mood swings and can further worsen mental health.
Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depressive symptoms frequently accompany both alcohol use and bipolar disorder. Consuming alcohol is often a coping mechanism to manage stress or sadness. Over time, however, increased feelings of anxiety and depression will be noticeable. Those with bipolar disorder who consume alcohol can experience worsening depressive episodes or cycle through mania and depression more often.
The Risks of Self-Medicating Bipolar Disorder with Alcohol
As we mentioned above, studies have suggested that drinking with bipolar disorder is not necessarily related to mood symptoms directly. This does not mean that self-medicating with alcohol does not occur – some with untreated bipolar disorder rely on alcohol as a way to feel better. Drinking provides a false sense of relaxation during manic and depressive episodes, which is often short-lived.
Instead of providing relief, alcohol often amplifies the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Alcohol is a depressant, which can deepen depressive episodes by increasing feelings of hopelessness and guilt. During manic episodes, alcohol fuels reckless behaviors and can cause confrontational interactions, leading to further emotional and social consequences.
By self-medicating with alcohol, the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder significantly increases. When alcohol is consumed frequently, the brain and body begin to acclimate to its presence. Soon, the person will notice it takes more alcohol in order to feel the same effects as before, known as tolerance. As tolerance increases, so does consumption, leading to the body becoming physically dependent. When this happens, the brain sends signals to the body as a way to indicate a need for alcohol. This is where withdrawal symptoms come in, fueling the cycle of continued drinking. Experiencing withdrawal, cravings, and mood shifts between consumption are all tell-tale signs of an alcohol use disorder.
Why Mixing Alcohol and Bipolar Medications Can Be Dangerous
Managing bipolar disorder typically involves a combination of medications, such as mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants. While these medications are effective in stabilizing mood and reducing episodes, their effectiveness can be significantly impacted by alcohol consumption. Mixing alcohol with bipolar disorder medications is not only counterproductive but can also pose serious health risks.
One concern with combining alcohol and bipolar disorder medications is the risk of increased side effects. In some cases, sedative medications are utilized to help with manic episodes and anxiety. When taken with alcohol, both substances cause an increase in sedation, putting the person in danger of experiencing breathing complications. Both alcohol and sedative medications slow the central nervous system, and when breathing stops, permanent damage can occur within the body. Vital organs such as the brain, kidneys, lungs, and heart begin to shut down. This is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate professional help.
Alcohol also causes issues with how the body processes bipolar disorder medications. The liver is the main organ responsible for metabolizing substances and filtering them out of the body. When alcohol is metabolized, a toxic chemical called acetaldehyde is produced. This causes harm to the liver and over time leads to damage that hinders the liver’s functionality. Bipolar disorder medications are metabolized by the liver as well, and limited function makes it more difficult to process them. Some side effects of this include the medications not working as well, a build-up of medication leading to toxicity, and other organ complications such as the kidneys.
Lastly, alcohol use interferes with memory. When taking medications with alcohol, it becomes difficult to remember daily doses and if they were taken. The result could be taking too much or missing doses of your bipolar disorder medications. This is a large hindrance to treating bipolar disorder as there is no consistency with the medications, reducing their overall efficacy.
Getting Help for Bipolar Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder in Tampa, FL
Trying to manage bipolar disorder with alcohol is not a long-term solution – it actually causes more harm than good. There is no need to fear being caught in this cycle as treatment options are readily available for both conditions. Bipolar disorder treatment will consist of daily therapies, coping skill development, and medication interventions as needed. Alcohol use disorder treatment often begins with an alcohol detox, followed by rigorous therapy sessions in group and individual settings. You don’t have to worry if you are living with both conditions as treatment for co-occurring disorders will encompass all necessary facets. Don’t wait any longer – take the first step toward better mental and physical health.
If you or someone you love is managing bipolar disorder, alcohol use disorder, or both on their own, help is available today. Clean Recovery Centers offers a full-spectrum program that addresses both substance use and mental health all in one location. Our compassionate team understands how to treat you as a whole person, addressing the spiritual, social, mental, and physical aspects of alcohol use disorder and bipolar disorder. Call us today at (888) 330-2532 to learn more about our program offerings.
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