Borderline Personality Disorder & Substance Use
Integrated, evidence-based treatment with holistic care in the Hollywood Hills.
What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition marked by intense emotional instability, impulsive behaviors, and a fragile sense of self. Individuals with BPD often experience rapid mood swings, difficulty regulating emotions, and a deep fear of abandonment. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH, 2023), BPD affects approximately 1.4% of adults in the United States, though experts like Dr. Marsha Linehan, who developed Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), believe the number may be higher due to underdiagnosis and stigma. The disorder is characterized by alternating extremes of idealization and devaluation in relationships, chronic feelings of emptiness, self-harming behaviors, and impulsive actions such as overspending or substance misuse. Brain imaging studies show that people with BPD often have heightened activity in the amygdala—the brain’s emotional center—and reduced regulation from the prefrontal cortex, which explains their intense emotional responses and difficulty maintaining stability.
How does Borderline Personality Disorder impact life and lead to substance use?
Borderline Personality Disorder can significantly disrupt personal relationships, work, and self-image. Individuals may feel trapped in cycles of emotional chaos, fear of rejection, and unstable relationships. Many struggle with chronic emptiness or anger that can lead to impulsive decisions and self-destructive behaviors. Research from the American Journal of Psychiatry indicates that up to 75% of individuals with BPD engage in self-harming behaviors, and approximately 70% will experience at least one suicide attempt in their lifetime. Furthermore, between 50% and 65% of people with BPD also meet criteria for a substance use disorder, as drugs or alcohol may be used to cope with overwhelming emotions or numb psychological pain. Unfortunately, substance use can intensify mood swings, increase impulsivity, and complicate recovery—creating a dangerous cycle that reinforces emotional instability and distress.
How does Bliss Recovery treat Borderline Personality Disorder?
At Bliss Recovery, treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder focuses on emotional regulation, self-awareness, and building healthy, stable relationships. The program integrates holistic practices with evidence-based therapies to foster healing on both emotional and physical levels. Clients participate in yoga, meditation, and nutritional counseling to develop mindfulness, reduce stress, and improve overall well-being. The cornerstone of clinical care for BPD at Bliss Recovery includes therapies such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Schema Therapy, which help clients learn to tolerate distress, manage intense emotions, and strengthen interpersonal effectiveness. When clinically appropriate, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) may also be used to manage co-occurring conditions such as depression, anxiety, or mood instability. Medications may include Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), mood stabilizers, or atypical antipsychotics like aripiprazole (Abilify) or quetiapine (Seroquel). Bliss Recovery’s team of licensed psychiatrists, therapists, and clinicians specializes in treating personality and mood disorders with compassion and structure—helping clients regain stability, improve relationships, and achieve long-term emotional balance.
