Bipolar Disorder Treatment

40% of people struggling with bipolar I and II disorder will have a lifetime prevalence of substance abuse if left untreated. The cyclical nature of bipolar disorder and substance abuse can accelerate the progression of each other. And because bipolar disorder is something people deal with for their entire life, relapse is more likely to occur without professional treatment of both co-occurring disorders.

Treatment for bipolar disorder focuses on symptom management to provide someone with a higher quality of life. Symptoms of bipolar disorder can be very disruptive. Drastic changes in mood and energy can affect a person’s ability to perform daily tasks. Many people struggling with bipolar disorder will experience periods of intense euphoria and increased energy, known as mania, for days to weeks. This is then followed by a depressive phase of low energy and depressed mood. Because of these intense mood swings and the need to alleviate those symptoms, co-occurring substance abuse disorders are highest amongst individuals with bipolar disorder. Professional treatment of both disorders at the same time is the best plan for recovery.

The combination of manic and depressive phases is confusing. One week, you’re on top of the world. You feel like you can do anything…and so you do. Between increased productivity, excessive spending, drinking, and partying, life seems great. But when the depression hits, it’s hard to even remember what happiness ever felt like. It’s hard to do anything…and so you don’t.

The swings from one mood to the other, from intense mania to deep depression, is exhausting. It can be distressing for everyone around you because it’s almost like you’re two different people.

Bipolar disorder can be tricky to diagnose, especially when substance abuse is involved. There are two distinct types of this disorder: bipolar I and bipolar II. Bipolar I is characterized by cyclical manic and depressive episodes. People with bipolar II experience depressive side effects with some, milder forms of mania. The length of these episodes varies on the person and their specific bipolar disorder. Common symptoms can be broken into manic and depressive categories. Seeking help if you experience any of these symptoms is key in diagnosing and treating bipolar I and II.

People who experience manic episodes of bipolar disorder often report:

• Feelings of elation, irritability, or touchiness
• Feeling jumpy or weird
• Decreased need for sleep
• Loss of appetite
• Increased talking and an inability to stay on one topic at a time
• Racing thoughts
• Feeling like they can do a lot of things at once
• Engaging in risky behaviors (eating and drinking excessively, spending lots of money, reckless sex)
• Feeling like they are unusually important, talented, or powerful

People experiencing depressive episodes of bipolar disorder report:

• Feeling very sad, down, empty or hopeless
• Feeling slow or restless
• Having trouble falling asleep, having trouble staying asleep, or sleeping excessively
• Increased appetite and weight gain
• Reduced speech, feeling like they have little to say
• Forgetful
• Having trouble concentrating or making decisions
• Unable to complete simple tasks
• Little interest in most activities, decreased sex drive, and inability to experience pleasure
• Feeling hopeless or worthless
• Thinking about death or suicide

Like many mental health conditions, there is no one cause of bipolar disorder. Some studies suggest that genetics and environment play a role in its development. Others indicate that there may be structural and functional differences in the brains of bipolar people versus the brains of non-bipolar people. Trauma, especially during childhood, has also been linked to the development of bipolar disorder.

Currently, about 2.8% of the U.S. adult population struggle with bipolar disorder. Around 4.4% will experience symptoms of bipolar disorder at some point in their lives. Strikingly, about 83% of people with bipolar disorder experience severe impairment due to their symptoms. Only half of those people will seek treatment.

Because the causes vary from person to person, it is important to be professionally diagnosed by a clinician before an effective treatment plan is established. A physical exam, interview, and lab tests are an effective way of determining the best treatment plan for you.

When someone is struggling with bipolar disorder, especially if accompanied by substance abuse, the outlook is quite bleak unless they receive treatment for these conditions together. Coupling substance abuse with bipolar disorder can lead to an accelerated progression of both diseases. This will increase and worsen symptoms and episodes as time goes on. Without treatment, this cycle will take control of an individual’s life and could lead to death. Receiving treatment for both bipolar disorder and substance abuse is the best chance for decreased negative symptoms and long-term recovery.

The most effective form of treatment for bipolar disorder and substance abuse involves a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and holistic therapies. At The Summit Wellness Group, we use the latest and most effective treatments to create a multifaceted plan for treating both bipolar disorder and substance abuse. These plans work to reduce negative and distressing symptoms and encourage healthier habits and ways of thinking.

By combining different treatment models and techniques that target both disorders, we have found that chances of longer-term recovery increase and improved quality of life are established. Different modes of treatment we incorporate include:

• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): This highly customizable program includes 9 hours of treatment each week. Those hours can be completed either during the day or at night. IOP is tailored to fit each of our client’s specific schedules and needs.
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): This program is a more comprehensive and immersive treatment plan, totaling 30 hours per week. Though clients are able to live at home while attending PHP, daily groups and activities provide an increased level of care while still providing clients with the freedom to go home at the end of the day.
• Sober Living: Living arrangements that encourage healthy habits and growth can be important. This program gives client’s the opportunity to spend their days attending our programs. Then, they are able to go home to a private space with people dealing with similar struggles.

At The Summit Wellness Group, we also offer group therapies, individual therapy, medication management, art therapy, and other forms of holistic treatments. We have found this combination helps individuals create better habits that they can maintain outside of treatment for longer-term recovery.

Treatment for bipolar disorder is often ongoing. Through the combination of medication and holistic treatments with psychotherapy, clients are able to minimize negative symptoms and stay away from self-medication as a form of maladaptive therapy. When combined with substance abuse, individuals living with bipolar disorder can experience painful and distressing manic and depressive phases. These phases often lead to an increase in drug use and possible overdose or death. Seeking help from a facility that focuses on tackling co-occurring diseases together offers the best chance at regaining control over your life.