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The Links Between Cocaine and Bipolar Disorder

Understand the Connections and Get Proven Treatment at Changes

The relationship between cocaine and bipolar disorder can be likened to the old riddle: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Some who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder rely on cocaine abuse to self-medicate. Meanwhile, cocaine addiction can cause bipolar symptoms to kick into high gear. It creates a vicious cycle where the two mental disorders feed off one another.

Changes Healing Center believes in the disease model for substance abuse treatment. We treat substance use disorder as an illness. We also recognize that any substance abuse can co-occur with another serious mental illness, such as Bipolar II Disorder.

Please read on. You’ll learn how the links between cocaine and bipolar disorder happen and what we can do to heal both substance abuse and manage bipolar disorder.

Bipolar Disorder Patients Often Develop Cocaine Use Disorder

Bipolar disorder and cocaine use disorder can be severe mental disorders when they occur alone. Matters grow more complex when they happen together.

Substance Abuse Is a Disorder, Not a Choice

Let’s address a common misconception about drug and alcohol addiction. Drug/alcohol abuse is not a choice or a moral failing. The American Psychiatric Association recognizes it as a diagnosable condition that must meet precise criteria, as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM).

This distinction is a must in any discussion of stimulant abuse and all other drug abuse. It makes clear that nobody woke up one day and decided to destroy their life with cocaine dependence. Instead, stimulant dependence usually starts after a long period of recreational use or because of self-medicating an underlying condition.

Failing to recognize this reality can perpetuate harmful stereotypes that allow people (or allow you to convince yourself) to avoid seeking treatment.

Understanding the Basics of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar spectrum disorder, or bipolar disorder, is one of the more common affective disorders. Most know it for the extreme mood swings. People shift between a hypomanic episode, where they feel on top of the world to depressive symptoms, feeling tired despite cocaine use, sad, and hopeless. Some people have mixed episodes, where both manic and depressive episodes happen simultaneously.

Rapid cycling bipolar disorder is a subtype of bipolar disorders. In this variation of bipolar disorder, the person experiences more than four depressive, hypomanic, or manic episodes within 12 months.

Bipolar disorder is just one of several mood disorders. It’s classified with manic and depressive disorders because of the unpredictable emotions. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) agrees that having bipolar disorder increases the risk of substance abuse and other psychiatric conditions.

The Depressive Symptoms of Bipolar II Disorder

Depressive episodes can last longer and be more severe than hypomanic episodes. Here are some symptoms to know:

  • Persistent sadness or “lows”
  • Fatigue; no energy
  • Loss of interest in once-beloved activities
  • Difficulty with focus or concentration
  • Guilt
  • Unworthy feelings
  • Changes in appetite or weight
  • Insomnia or sleeping too much
  • Suicidal ideation

The episodes associated with a depressive episode can last from several weeks to a month or more. It’s essential to get professional care to help reduce these symptoms of your mental illness.

 Depressive Symptoms of Bipolar

The Symptoms of Manic Episodes

These symptoms associated with a hypomanic episode can also pose risks to the person:

  • Excessively “high” of euphoric mood, mixed with irritable moods
  • Increased energy and activity
  • Less need for sleep
  • Racing thoughts
  • Rapid speech patterns
  • High self-esteem
  • Poor judgment
  • Impulsive behaviors
  • Easily distracted

These symptoms of manic episodes are especially dangerous when using a stimulant like cocaine.

Appropriate Bipolar Disorder Treatment Helps Manage the Disease

Bipolar depression is not curable. However, a combination of psychiatric medications, such as mood stabilizers or an anti-psychosis medication can help level out the mood instability.

Managing the depressive and manic symptoms becomes far more complicated when this mental illness occurs with alcohol abuse or drug addiction.

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Why Does an Overlap of Drug Abuse and Psychiatric Disorders Happen?

The most common explanation is that people who have a mental health condition and co-occurring substance abuse have some shared risk factors.

  • Genetic predisposition to substance abuse or serious mental illness
  • Environmental stresses, such as growing up in a household with insufficient parenting skills
  • Imbalances in brain chemistry which make it almost impossible for clinicians to pinpoint a precise cause

It’s also worth noting that the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) recognizes many combinations of substance-related disorders and other psychiatric disorders.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Bipolar Disorder and Cocaine Abuse

Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

Overcoming co-occurring disorders is possible. But healing is longest-lasting when clients work with specially-trained therapists who understand the subtleties of treating cocaine abuse and bipolar disorder together.

At Changes Healing Center, our alcohol and drug abuse counselors know that substance abusers who have a co-occurring disorder generally turn to drug use to ease their symptoms. Some even use stimulants (such as abusing cocaine) to boost their moods during a major depressive episode and alcohol to calm their manic symptoms.

Replacing self-medication with appropriate medication management at an alcohol and drug addiction treatment center can address co-occurring disorders effectively.

Behavioral Therapies in Substance Abuse Treatment Co-occurring Bipolar Disorder

Besides finding the right medications to break the depressive and manic episode cycling, our team teaches clients new coping tools to deal with their combined mood disorder and substance use.

We use evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing MI), and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). These tools help clients with manic depression overcome the challenges presented by the mood symptoms.

  • CBT teaches clients how to recognize disruptive or negative thinking; it can occur during mania or when high on a stimulant. They become more aware of the irrationality of their behaviors.
  • MI helps clients consider the pros and cons of the behaviors they engage in during manic episodes or when abusing cocaine. They set goals and learn to resolve any ambivalence they feel about recovery.
  • DBT teaches emotional regulation skills they need to manage the moodiness that results from both their cocaine addiction and their bipolar disorder.

For example, we may show a client CBT to help manage a cyclothymic disorder like bipolar. The technique shows them how they might pause to examine their negative thoughts to decide whether it’s true or not before they react. Behavioral therapies play a key role in managing manic and depressive symptoms that are so well-documented in bipolar disorder clients.

Aftercare Planning for Substance Use Disorders

Treating a dual diagnosis also requires that the substance abuse treatment center pay careful attention to aftercare planning, sometimes called relapse prevention. The clinical definition of aftercare is the ongoing treatment and support following a formal treatment program.

That means we help people understand how they can no longer visit the people or places that trigger their use. Therefore, they must learn to prioritize sobriety. For example, they might attend Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or SMART Recovery meetings each week for peer support.

Or, they could join a recreational sports league to meet new friends who enjoy a healthier lifestyle than their old friends, who may still use cocaine or alcohol.

Breaking the Cycles of Cocaine and Bipolar Disorder

Vet Program For Relapse

‘Victoria’ is a Changes Healing Center success story who exemplifies this idea. After treatment for cocaine and bipolar disorder, Victoria felt well-prepared to avoid falling back into the trap of her bipolar disorder and cocaine use. The doctor at Changes had found the right medication to manage her mental health disorder, and she had been substance-free for over 30 days. She had made goal-setting a key part of her aftercare.

She would stay clean and sober by returning to community college to finish the veterinarian technician program she’d been forced to quit when her bipolar disorder had become overwhelming. Relapse was not an option for Victoria, who was in her early thirties and was driven to use every moment she could on her studies.

But with goal setting, attending NA, and using her new coping skills, she stayed clean and sober. She finished her vet program and is happy to report that she now has a successful career helping to care for animals.

Other Mental Health Disorders That Present With Cocaine Dependence

As mentioned earlier, mental illness causes an increased risk for substance use disorders. Besides co-occurring cocaine dependence and manic depression, here are some other common dual diagnoses we have treated:

  • Anxiety disorders and alcohol dependence: Anxiety makes many people rely on alcohol to provide some reilef from their symptoms. However, it only leads an increased risk of worsening the anxiety or developing another mental health concern.
  • Opioid abuse and another mood disorder (like depression): Besides calming a manic episode or getting through the pain of depressive episodes, people with other mood disorders may abuse drugs like heroin or prescription painkillers.
  • Antisocial personality disorder and amphetamines: Personality disorders are often highly impulsive and take risks, making them likely to try illicit drugs like amphetamines. These drugs are very dangerous, as they can make the person aggressive and reckless.

While these represent some mental health and drug use combinations we have seen, the possible combinations of substance use disorder and mental health diagnoses are almost without limit.

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Medical Detox and Managing Withdrawal Symptoms Safely

An abrupt cessation of cocaine can throw anyone’s system into a tailspin, but it’s even more important that people with a dual diagnosis of cocaine and bipolar disorder do not try to detox without medical supervision.

Undergoing detoxification with a comination of cocaine addiction and bipolar disorder II may mean the the following symptoms:

  • Intense cravings for cocaine or a similar stimulant
  • Fatigue, exhaustion
  • Depression
  • Anxiety or panic
  • Increased appetite
  • Mood swings (onset of a manic episode or hypomania)
  • Severe depressive episodes may be triggered
  • Sleep distruptions
  • Extreme irritability
  • Changes in blood pressure
  • Headaches
  • Tremors
  • Aching muscles
  • Sweating/claminess, sometimes with chills
  • Nausea, upset stomach

These symptoms can come from the cocaine withdrawal or the bipolar disorder; they can also cause eac other to flare up. We’re back to the chicken-or-egg comparions. While it can be challenging to determine whether the symptoms come from stopping cocaine use or triggering bipolar symptoms, both put you in extreme danger.

The medical detox clinicians will be aware of any severe outcomes and immediately act to stabilize your condition and relieve your discomfort.

Cocaine Addiction with Bipolar Disorder Treatment – Inpatient or Outpatient Care?

Bipolar Disorder Treatment

Many who experience cocaine addiction with bipolar disorder want to get hep but wonder the best treatment model for managing their depressive and manic episodes. That choice always comes down to which treatment will best address the full scope of mental health concerns.

When you call us to discuss treatment for your bipolar disorder and cocaine use, we’ll take the time to understand your needs and help you decide which will best help you overcome your challenges.

Let’s take a look at the benefits of each for clients with bipolar disorder along with substance use disorders.

Benefits of Inpatient Care for Cocaine Use and Bipolar Disorder

Here are some reasons to choose inpatient or residential treatment for your cocaine use:

Residential Care: 24/7 Supervision

Our experienced, compassionate team monitors your wellbeing around the clock. We watch for signs of both severe manic or depressive episodes. We’ll ensure your safety should you experience high-risk periods, like aggression, psychotic episodes, or thoughts of self-harm.

Immediate Medication Adjustments

When you first start taking psychiatric prescription drugs, you may need a series of small adjustments in the dosage to get the desired balance. While in residential care, the treatment team can make quick adjustments to mood stabilizers and anti-psychosis medications.

A Structured Environment Can Be the Safest Place

Residential treatment is a must for those whose bipolar disorder is so extreme that they’ve considered self-harm or had suicidal thoughts. The structured setting supports evidence-based individual therapy, group counseling, and behavioral modifications. The inpatient care team addresses bipolar disorder and cocaine use disorder in the most intensive setting.

Benefits of Outpatient Treatment for Cocaine Abuse and Bipolar Disorder

Benefits of Outpatient Treatment

Let’s move on and look at why some clients prefer to attend outpatient services:

Outpatient Treatment Has Greater Flexibility

Some clients cannot attend an inpatient center. They might have college classes, a career, or children to raise. Outpatient facilities allow them to attend effective treatments during the day and go home to take care of other responsiblities at night.

Outpateient Provides a Gradual Transition

Sometimes, client finish their inpatient care but fear leaving the structure of therapy. Outpatient is sometimes a step down for those who still need some support in managing their depression or manic episodes.

Some Insurance Companies Prefer Outpatient Treatment

Sometimes an insurance policy only allows for inpatient if the person meets certain criteria. The majority of people qualify for outpatient care. This choice allows them to spend the least money out-of-pocket, if any at all.

Up To 100% of Rehab Cost Covered By Insurance

Call Changes to Leave Cocaine and Bipolar Disorder in the Past

Connect with Changes Healing Center today if you are ready to heal your cocaine and bipolar disorder. Our clinical team understands the unique connections between cocaine abuse and mood disorders, and they are available to help.

Give our admissions staff a call – they will be glad to help you start on a path to improved mental health, plus provide tools and support to make lasting recovery your reality!