Alcoholism and bipolar disorder

Alcoholism and bipolar are a potent combination. Alcohol is the most common substance of abuse with bipolar disorder individuals.

Research indicates that both men and women with bipolar have a greater likelihood of alcohol misuse than the general population, that bipolar men are more likely than bipolar women to abuse alcohol and that there is more chance of a lifetime history of alcohol misuse with the combined alchoholism and bipolar.

Where alcoholism and bipolar co-exist whether as bipolar drug abuse during periods of depression or otherwise, the likelihood of non compliance with medication increases as does the risk of suicide.

Alcohol intoxication and mania and hypermania display similar symptoms as do alcohol withdrawal and depression. Concurrent alcohol abuse complicates the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of bipolar individuals and often leads to heightened severity of bipolar symptoms, and poor treatment outcomes.

Numerous studies into the effects of alcohol with Bipolar disorder medications point to adverse effects and sometimes dangerous outcomes.