Cocaine and Bipolar Disorder

Finding Help for Cocaine and Bipolar

As the issue of substance abuse and addiction continues to spread throughout the nation, so too do mental health concerns. In particular, the relationship between cocaine use and bipolar disorder has gained more attention in recent years.

Keep reading to find out more about how cocaine and bipolar disorder (and vice versa), as well as the best options for finding treatment across the country!

Are Mental Health and Addiction Related?

The relationship between mental health and drug abuse is often far more common than most people may think. In fact, many people’s mental disorders can lead them to be abusing substances, leading them down a path of addiction.

Studies conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that 1 in 4 individuals who have been diagnosed with a mental illness also have co-occurring substance use disorders (SUDs).

This is because drugs and alcohol can produce a temporary euphoric high, helping distract these individuals from their painful thoughts and feelings. Unfortunately, using these substances as a coping mechanism will only be a temporary solution.

Furthermore, it is one that may only make their mental disorders more severe over time, or even cause them to develop new physical and mental health conditions. This occurs as a result of the chemical changes chronic substance abuse can cause to the brain.

What Does it Mean if You Have a Dual Diagnosis?

If someone has been diagnosed with both a mental disorder and drug or alcohol addiction, this means that they have a dual diagnosis. Having dual diagnosis disorders will make the addiction recovery process especially challenging, and may require more extensive support.

Over time, abusing drugs and alcohol will have significant effects on the person’s brain activity. Unfortunately, mental disorders can also have these effects. This means that, for those struggling with both of these issues, they may be experiencing severe chemical imbalances as a result of these combined issues.

Fortunately, there are several treatment options available to people who are simultaneously struggling with substance use and mental illness. These are known as dual diagnosis treatment programs, and can address a number of co-occurring issues.

One pairing that has become increasingly common, however, is the comorbidity of bipolar disorder and cocaine addiction.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Currently, the National Institute of Mental Health’s (NIMH) clinical definition for bipolar disorder, previously called manic depression, states that this condition is a mood disorder. Those who have this disorder often experience extreme and sudden mood swings.

These shifts in the person’s mood may differ between emotional highs, or manic episodes, and low, or depressive episodes. While it is not known for sure why people living with bipolar disorder have this condition, some contributing factors may include:

• Biological makeup: People with mood disorders, including bipolar disorder, have been found to have different chemical make-ups of their brains than those who do not have these disorders.
• Genetics: As with most mental and behavioral conditions, a person’s genetics can play a large role in the development of bipolar disorder. Many people with bipolar disorder share the common factor of having a first-degree relative, such as a sibling or parent, with this condition.

What are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?

In addition to the extreme mood swings that are characteristic of this condition, there are various other symptoms that may be experienced with it, as well. Furthermore, how frequently these symptoms occur and their severity can differ from person to person.

Because of this, bipolar disorder has several different types that it can be categorized into. This includes:

Bipolar I Disorder

This form is often characterized by experiencing one or more manic episodes within a year, which will typically be followed by a hypomanic or major depressive episode.

Bipolar II Disorder

Bipolar II disorder includes experiencing one or more major depressive episodes as well as one or more hypomanic episodes, without the presence of a manic episode.

Cyclothymic Disorder

This mood disorder, while not specifically classified as bipolar disorder, can be recognized by having had at least two years, or a year of adolescence, where symptoms of hypomania and bipolar depression were experienced.

Other Bipolar Types

There are certain cases of bipolar disorder that are known to have been brought on by drug and alcohol abuse or underlying medical conditions, such as a stroke. In other cases, substance abuse may amplify the symptoms of pre-existing mood disorders.

The Symptoms of Manic Episodes VS Depressive Episodes

Manic episodes and depressive episodes, while both representative of bipolar disorder, essentially make up two separate sides of this condition’s spectrum of symptoms.

Mania and hypomania, for example, are characterized by the same symptoms of increased energy levels and impulsive activities. Hypomania, however, is a less extreme form of mania, although this can still be a problematic side effect of mood affective disorders.

Manic episodes can often cause serious issues within an individual’s romantic, familial, and other personal relationship issues. These can also result in a psychotic break, which may end up in the individual being hospitalized for the safety of themselves and others.

Other symptoms of a manic episode may include:

• Feeling abnormally wired and positive
• Increased energy levels
• Increased irritability and agitation
• Euphoric feelings and unusually high confidence levels
• Decreased need to sleep
• Talking and socializing more
• Racing thoughts and more overly vivid imagination
• Making connections that are not actually existent
• Having a hard time focusing
• Increased poor and impulsive decision-making; for example, spending large amounts of money or having unprotected sex

Like mania and hypomania, bipolar depression is characterized by symptoms that can have severe effects on an individual’s daily life and activities. This can include their careers, education, and home life.

The major depressive episodes of this mental health disorder can typically be recognized by expressing five or more symptoms, including:

• Feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
• Increased tearfulness
• Increased irritability, particularly in adolescent individuals
• Lack of interest or pleasure in regular activities
• Unintentional loss or gaining of weight
• Changes in appetite
• Sleeping excessively or less often
• Restlessness or sluggishness
• Fatigue and decreased energy
• Feelings of worthlessness and misplaced guilt
• Inability to concentrate or think clearly
• Poor decision-making abilities
• Suicidal ideations and behaviors

Understanding Cocaine Abuse and Addiction

Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant, as well as an illegal extremely addictive drug that is derived from the coca plant. People who use cocaine for an extended amount of time often do so because it produces a fast and intense euphoric high.

Co-occurring disorders consisting of bipolar and cocaine use have become increasingly common. This is because the side effects of cocaine can help combat the depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder while amplifying the manic symptoms.

Unfortunately, combining bipolar and cocaine addiction can have significant consequences over time, including the worsening of this mood disorder, as well as the development of additional physical and/or mental health conditions.

Does Abusing Cocaine Cause Bipolar Disorder?

Compared to the general population, those who struggle with bipolar disorder have a higher likelihood of abusing drugs and alcohol; in particular, cocaine.

While it is not yet known if this drug itself can cause bipolar disorder, combining cocaine with bipolar disorder, however, can make this condition worse.

It can not only make the individual more likely to engage in dangerous and risky behaviors during a manic episode but make the depressive episodes more severe.

Because abusing cocaine can allow its users to experience a brief euphoric high, those with mental disorders may continue abusing this drug over an extended period of time, leading them to develop a dependency on the drug.

This can make stopping their use of this substance feel almost impossible, as the symptoms of their disorder can become so severe that continuing this drug use seems to be the only way they can get any sort of relief.

Of course, because of the way cocaine works, the longer someone with bipolar disorder abuses this drug, the less of an effect it will have for boosting their mood. Instead, their drug use may cause feelings of paranoia, irritation, and even suicidal ideations.

Combined cocaine use and bipolar disorder may amplify many of the disorder’s negative side effects, as well as cause various other symptoms, including:

• Poor decision-making abilities
• Impulsive behavior
• Reduced attention span
• Poor problem-solving skills
• Inability to plan for the future
• Impaired cognition

Substance Abuse Treatment Programs for Dual Diagnosis

In order to successfully manage and overcome both bipolar disorder and cocaine addiction, a person’s best choice will be to get simultaneous treatment for both disorders. Fortunately, there are several dual-diagnosis addiction treatment options available for these needs.

For many people to be able to achieve sobriety, underlying behavioral disorders and emotional causes must be addressed along with their addiction. Combined drug abuse and bipolar disorder treatment will typically feature highly individualized treatment.

While the levels of care a person may need can vary based on their specific issues, the dual diagnosis treatment process will typically involve:

• A medical detox program can help manage cocaine withdrawal
• An inpatient addiction treatment program can provide intensive and 24/7 recovery support
• Behavioral therapy services to help address underlying mental conditions
• Medication-assisted treatment to help manage withdrawal and drug cravings

If you have questions about what levels of care you may need or concerns over paying for dual diagnosis treatment, you can speak with a Find Addiction Rehabs representative today to get help for all of your recovery questions.

FAQs on Cocaine and Bipolar Disorder

Can the symptoms of bipolar disorder be confused with cocaine psychosis?

Yes, in some ways the symptoms of acute cocaine intoxication can mimic hypomania or even manic episode.  For those with both cocaine use and a mental health disorder, a period of sobriety must be maintained before an accurate diagnosis of bipolar can be given.

Do people who use cocaine need detox?

Those who abuse cocaine for an extended time, whether they have a co-occurring disorder or not, often benefit from a medical detox setting. This is due in large part to the correlation between stopping cocaine and severe depression as well as suicidal ideation. Being in a supervised detox facility can address these concerns and provide a foundation for lasting, healthy recovery from a cocaine use disorder.

Find Bipolar Disorder and Cocaine Addiction Treatment Programs Today!

Overcoming a co-occurring disorder can be difficult without the right support and treatment. If you are struggling with cocaine use and bipolar disorder, or any other dual diagnosis, know that you are not alone, and help is available.

At Find Addiction Rehabs, we offer 24-hour dual diagnosis and addiction recovery support to help answer all of your questions regarding treatment. We can help you find recovery programs that will address all of your care needs.

Call now, and a recovery representative will help you get started on your path to recovery and becoming healthier and substance-free today!

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