In the recent era, almost 60% of the population in the U.S. is addicted to drugs. A lot of diseases are caused due to substance and drug overuse.
Meanwhile, the question arises: Can drugs cause bipolar disorder? Let’s dive deep and seek the truth!
Similarly, people with bipolar disorder and a co-occurring substance use disorder (SUD) require specialized treatment to address both issues simultaneously.
Drugs and alcohol frequently worsen the signs of bipolar disorder.
People who have no history of mental illness may develop bipolar disorder as a result of drug use.
Continue reading to learn more about bipolar disorder and how Pearl Ezegrim at McGrim Health effectively treats it.
An Overview of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is an ongoing mood disorder that causes drastic changes in mood, energy, and behavior.
The primary signs of bipolar disorder are hypomanic and manic episodes. The majority of people with the condition also experience depressive episodes.
Medications, talk therapy, changes in behavior, and other treatments can all help deal with the condition.
So, do not forget to schedule an appointment with us!
Drug-Induced Bipolar Symptoms
Symptoms that are linked with mental disorders include:
- Feeling anxious
- Being desperate
- Loss of interest
- Sleep Apnea
- Fatigue
- Lack of energy
- Change in appetite
- Trouble on focus on something
- Mania
- Irritable behavioural
- Psychosis
Causes of Bipolar Disorder
The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown; however, several factors, such as:
1.Biological Differences
People with bipolar disorder seem to have physical alterations in their brains. The importance of these changes is unknown, but they may eventually help identify causes.
2. Genetics
People with bipolar disorder are more likely to have an issue that comes from the first generation of the parents.
It includes a sibling or maternal, who has the illness. Studies are looking for genes that could be linked to bipolar disorder.
What Drugs Can Trigger Bipolar Disorder?
The use of amphetamines or cocaine consists of manic periods. It causes a high level of energy and excitement. So, can drugs cause bipolar disorder? The answer is absolutely yes!
During depressive episodes, alcohols are used in an attempt to lessen depression. Sedatives are often consumed to emotionless dejection and anxiety symptoms.
The list of the drugs that accelerate bipolar disorder includes:
- Stimulants: Cocaine, methamphetamine, and amphetamines are the stimulants that may cause mania or psychosis.
- Alcohol: Initially, alcohol acts as a depressant. Later, it leads to a change in mood in an individual. Over time, it worsens the bipolar symptoms in the individuals.
- Hallucinogens: LSD, PCP, and psilocybin are the hallucinogens that can lead to manic episodes in individuals.
- Prescribed Medicines: Tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors can cause manic episodes in individuals.
Can Drugs Cause Bipolar Disorder– Find the Facts
Can drugs cause bipolar disorder? Yes, excessive drug use can lead to bipolar disorder. A person with bipolar disorder has mood swings along with additional symptoms.
A person with bipolar disorder may react differently to alcohol than a person without it.
An individual with bipolar disorder may be more likely than others to abuse alcohol.
Depressive Symptoms and Alcohol
The symptoms of depressive episodes include:
- Extreme sadness
- Irritability
- Feelings of being alone
- isolated
- Guilt
- Anxiety
- Rapid weight loss and gain
- Insomnia
- Difficulty focusing on tasks.
Can Alcohol Trigger Hypomania
Individuals with hypomania may not drink regularly, but when they do, they may drink more heavily.
Those with volatile mood swings, for example, may have a significant number of abstinence days over time.
However, their use patterns vary greatly, such as binge drinking during that time.
Emotional and drinking binges may occur concurrently in those with this type of mood instability. Hypomania is a non-depressed state that resembles mania.
Hypomania Vs. Manic Episodes
Hypomania does not require hospitalization. Furthermore, it does not have psychotic structures.
A manic episode may need hospitalization for protection and medical stabilization. It may also involve hallucinations and misbeliefs.
The symptoms of hypomania include the following:
- An inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
- An inflated sense of well-being
- A decreased need for sleep
- Increased talking
- Racing thoughts
- Increased activity
- Increased pleasure-seeking
Medications And Alcohol
Both bipolar disorder and alcohol ingestion cause changes in an individual’s brain. The change in mood swings and many other factors is due to the relationship between bipolar and substance abuse.
Bipolar disorder is supposed to consequence of imbalances in brain chemistry. Scientists trust there is a genetic factor to the disorder. Alcohol is a CNS tranquillizing that individuals use to reduce.
Individuals with bipolar disorder often use medications to soothe their signs.
Doctors commonly prescribe:
- Valproate, or valproic acid
- Lithium, a mood stabilizer
- Antipsychotics such as olanzapine (Zyprexa)
- Antidepressants, in some cases
Alternatives To Alcohol
Many people believe that drinking alcohol helps them relax or socialize. A person who is avoiding or reducing alcohol consumption may find it beneficial to replace the habit with an alternative feel-good solution.
Alternatives include:
- Physical activity, such as sports or gardening.
- Drinking herbal teas like chamomile
- Meditation, Yoga, or Tai Chi
- Massage Therapy
- Taking a warm bath.
Seek Professional Assistance at McGrim Health
The association between bipolar disorder and alcohol abuse is difficult. There is probably no simple cause-and-effect relationship. Instead, they seem to interact.
So, the question: can drugs cause bipolar disorder has been solved. You’ll get to know that drugs are the main cause of bipolar disorder in some individuals.
A person with bipolar disorder can usually maintain good health if they take their medication as prescribed and avoid alcohol.
The friends and relatives of a person with the condition can help by encouraging healthy behaviors that discourage drinking alcohol.
Hence, you may seek professional guidance with Preal Ezegrim at McGrim Health.
She’ll Listen to the patient’s concerns very carefully and treat them by prescribing the medication according to the needs of the patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drugs can trigger bipolar disorder?
Alcohol abuse can lead to bipolar disorder in an individual. It causes hallucinations in individuals.
What is the first red flag of bipolar disorder?
There are a few red flags in bipolar disorder that you can observe:
- Loss appetite
- weight loss
- Suicidal thoughts
- Sleep Apnea
How does bipolar disorder develop?
There are a few factors that may cause bipolar disorder. These include:
- Death of some loved ones
- Drug abuse
- High level of depression
- Anxious thoughts
Is bipolar disorder linked to substance abuse?
Yes, bipolar disorder is associated with substance abuse the specific one is alcohol overuse.
No comment