Bipolar Disorder and Addiction Rehab

Frequently, mental health disorders coincide with drug or alcohol dependence. The appearance of these co-occurring disorders can make rehabilitation more difficult without specialized treatment. The Villa Treatment Center works with individuals experiencing dual diagnosis conditions like Bipolar Disorder and Substance Abuse.

One of the most predominant mental health conditions is bipolar disorder. Combined with addiction, bipolar disorder can further risk one’s physical and emotional stability, but with the help of our caring and qualified staff, we can address both issues simultaneously and help create a life free from addiction.

Our goal is to provide a comfortable and safe environment for dual diagnosis residents. Patients who suffer from this disorder and drug addiction are one of the many diagnoses we see when treatment begins, and no matter where you are in your journey, The Villa Treatment Center can work with you to achieve recovery.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by rapid changes in one’s mood. Typically, those with bipolar disorder experience periods of severe depression and manic behavior, but sufferers can also experience in-between stages like hypomania and mixed episodes. Hypomania is similar to manic behavior, but is usually more dialed down and has characteristics that can be dealt with on a day-to-day basis. Mixed episodes include combinations of depression and mania, making it hard to discern between the different emotions.

Some symptoms of mania include:

  • Feelings of grandiosity
  • Extreme optimism
  • Rapid and excessive speech patterns
  • Irresponsible spending habits
  • Other irrational behavior

Some symptoms of bipolar depression include:

  • Feelings of hopelessness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Constant fatigue
  • Apathy for life in general

For someone with this disorder, these mood shifts are uncontrollable, and they usually go unnoticed by the person suffering. However, family members and other loved ones typically experience first-hand the emotional changes that take place when someone they love has the disorder. Mental illness can be a scary and difficult situation for everyone involved.

What Causes Bipolar Disorder and Substance Abuse?

The reasons why bipolar disorder and addiction occur together are unclear, but some psychologists believe there is a correlation between the irresponsible behavior of manic episodes and the onset of drug use. Additionally, depressive episodes can lead to self-medication with drugs and alcohol in order to stabilize moods. While the intense emotional changes that bipolar disorder sufferers experience can be alarming and lead to impulsive decisions like drug use to mend discomfort, the opposite can also occur where the manic and depressive episodes in those suffering from bipolar disorder are triggered by drinking and drug use.

Many researchers believe the combination of mental health, bipolar, and drug abuse have to do with chemicals in the brain. Individuals suffering from bipolar disorder have high levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, which impact certain moods. When someone with bipolar disorder uses drugs and alcohol to compensate for their emotional instability, the brain is unable to process chemicals properly, leading to erratic behavior.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Bipolar Individuals

It is very common for drug addiction and mental health conditions like bipolar disorder to present themselves simultaneously, and it is important to treat both illnesses at the same time as opposed to providing treatment in two separate facilities or clinics. Dual diagnosis treatment targets both addiction and bipolar disorder in order to manage the mental illness and eliminate drug abuse. Without treatment of both disorders, the chances of relapse increase exponentially.

Like many of the mental health illnesses it is difficult to diagnose bipolar disorder when occurring alongside drug addiction because such behaviors are thought to be a result of the drug use. The overlap between a drug-induced mental state and mental illness makes it hard to discern between behaviors; however, dual diagnosis treatment works specifically to treat both bipolar and substance abuse with the use of detoxification and psychiatric care.

Addiction and Bipolar Recovery at The Villa Treatment Center

The dual diagnosis program at The Villa Treatment Center for bipolar and substance abuse begins with a detoxification process designed specifically for you. Afterwards, we will transition you into a comprehensive treatment program that addresses your drug addiction and bipolar disorder. Methods like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, a 12-step modality, and other evidence-based psychotherapy have been proven to be effective when treating dual diagnosis patients. We also offer yoga, meditation, art and music therapy, family counseling, and more as alternative bipolar and substance abuse treatments for residents and their families.

By providing a variety of treatment options, we hope to appeal to all of our patient’s individual needs. Our priority is to treat drug and alcohol addiction first, but we will provide psychiatric care for residents who experience the effects of bipolar disorder when it benefits the recovery process.

Dual diagnosis patients can greatly benefit from the comprehensive treatment available at The Villa. The stress associated with rehabilitation can be managed with the psychological treatment available at our luxurious facility located in Woodland Hills, CA.

If you or someone you know is suffering from bipolar disorder and drug addiction, contact The Villa Treatment Center for more information and start your recovery.