Bipolar Disorder & Substance Use
Integrated, evidence-based treatment with holistic care in the Hollywood Hills.
What is a Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar Disorder is a complex mental health condition marked by dramatic shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels that can disrupt daily functioning. These mood episodes range from emotional highs—known as mania or hypomania—to deep lows of depression. The main types include Bipolar I Disorder, which involves full manic episodes; Bipolar II Disorder, characterized by hypomanic and depressive episodes; and Cyclothymic Disorder, which features milder but chronic mood fluctuations. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH, 2023), approximately 4.4% of U.S. adults will experience bipolar disorder in their lifetime, and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 40 million people globally live with the condition. Experts such as Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison of Johns Hopkins University highlight that bipolar disorder is a neurobiological illness involving dysregulation of neurotransmitters and brain circuitry responsible for mood and impulse control. Symptoms can include elevated energy, impulsivity, decreased need for sleep, and euphoria during mania, alternating with sadness, guilt, fatigue, and hopelessness during depressive phases.
How does Bipolar Disorder impact life and lead to substance use?
Bipolar disorder can be deeply disruptive, affecting relationships, work, and overall quality of life. Manic episodes can lead to reckless decision-making, financial trouble, and interpersonal conflict, while depressive episodes often cause withdrawal, fatigue, and suicidal thoughts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Journal of Psychiatry, individuals with bipolar disorder are 10 to 30 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population, and nearly 60% develop a co-occurring substance use disorder at some point. Many people turn to alcohol, sedatives, or stimulants to either intensify manic energy or numb depressive pain, yet these substances destabilize mood cycles and worsen both mental and physical health. Hospitalization rates for those with untreated bipolar disorder remain high, underscoring the importance of early intervention, consistent treatment, and comprehensive recovery programs.
How does Bliss Recovery treat Bipolar Disorder?
At Bliss Recovery, treatment for bipolar disorder integrates holistic wellness practices with advanced medical and psychiatric care to help clients achieve lasting balance and emotional stability. The program emphasizes yoga, meditation, and nutritional counseling to regulate stress, improve sleep, and support brain health naturally. When clinically appropriate, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is incorporated under careful medical supervision. Medications commonly used to treat bipolar disorder include mood stabilizers such as lithium, valproate (Depakote), and carbamazepine (Tegretol); anticonvulsants such as lamotrigine (Lamictal) and gabapentin; and atypical antipsychotics like quetiapine (Seroquel), olanzapine (Zyprexa), lurasidone (Latuda), and aripiprazole (Abilify). Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) may also be prescribed cautiously to address depressive symptoms when appropriate. This integrative approach allows Bliss Recovery to tailor each treatment plan to the individual, promoting mood stability, emotional clarity, and long-term recovery through both holistic healing and evidence-based psychiatric care.
