Sadly bipolar and drug abuse often occur together. Drugs or alcohol abuse or dependency may occur at some stage in about half of bipolar disorder individuals and seems to be more likely with child or adolescent onset bipolar disorder. Substance abuse with alcohol, marijuana, amphetamines, cocaine, opiates is known to occur.

What is not clear is whether the drug abuse is the result of having bipolar or whether symptoms similar to those of bipolar result from the drug abuse e.g. 30% of cocaine addicts fit criteria for bipolar disorder. Evidence seems to suggest that bipolar is at the root of the problem. Either way drug abuse comorbid with bipolar complicates the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder.

There seems to be a link between chronic marijuana use especially in teens and increased risk of bipolar with psychosis.

Also there seems to be a connection between a family predisposition to mania and drug abuse and where this exits the drug abuse may precipitate an earlier onset of bipolar I disorder

There are suggestions that the drug abuse might be a way of self-medicating the unpredictable and uncontrollable mood swings characteristic of bipolar. Where treatment has not been sought either through ignorance or denial, the fact that there is an underlying reason for the symptoms is not known. The only problem with this argument is that if the drug abuse is supposed to relieve the symptoms i.e. stabilize the moods why the use of substances that worsen the situation like cocaine during manic episodes and alcohol during periods of depression.

Another explanation is that the behavior patterns symptomatic of bi polar disorder like excessive involvement in pleasurable activities, poor judgment etc make them more inclined to succumb to drug abuse.

Studies have also shown links between bipolar substance abuse and crime. Men seem to offend and get arrested more often than women, but the risk of being charged rises for females cocaine abusers. There is probably a connection here with another potential problem namely bipolar and money.

Here is a resource that offers light at the end of the tunnel for anyone with a drug or alcohol abuse problem. Especially if the abuse is a means of self medicating then a program offering a natural way of feeling good about oneself could prove a very beneficial alternative.

Here is another for those wishing to permanently kick the pot smoking habit by themselves.