Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings, and it affects millions of people worldwide. Individuals with this condition experience periods of intense emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). While managing bipolar disorder is challenging on its own, research shows a strong connection between bipolar disorder and substance abuse. Your doctors at Flume Psychiatry in Austin, TX, can explain how bipolar disorder may be connected to substance abuse and what to know when dealing with this condition.

Understanding the Link Between Bipolar Disorder and Substance Abuse

Dealing with conditions like bipolar disorder can be difficult, but it’s important to talk with your psychiatrist in Austin, TX, about other issues that may arise. It’s important to understand how bipolar disorder can affect you and how it could be connected to substance abuse.

Many individuals with bipolar disorder turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with their intense mood swings. When experiencing depressive episodes, they may use substances to lift their mood, while during manic episodes, they might seek to intensify the euphoria or calm racing thoughts. Unfortunately, substance use only exacerbates symptoms, leading to a vicious cycle of dependency and worsening mental health.

One hallmark of bipolar disorder, particularly during manic or hypomanic phases, is impulsivity. Individuals may engage in reckless behavior, including experimenting with drugs or alcohol, without fully considering the consequences. This impulsivity can lead to substance abuse or addiction, further complicating their condition and making it harder to manage.

The brain chemistry of individuals with bipolar disorder is often imbalanced, particularly in terms of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Substance abuse can further disrupt these chemical pathways, leading to an intensified cycle of mood swings and drug dependence. Moreover, certain substances may initially mimic the effects of stabilizing these neurotransmitters, causing individuals to repeatedly seek them out.

Contact Our Psychiatrists Today

It’s important to know how bipolar disorder can impact several areas of your life. Contact your doctors at Flume Psychiatry in Austin, TX, to learn more about bipolar disorder and how it can affect issues like substance abuse. Call for more information and to schedule your appointment today at (512) 329-5575.