Bipolar Disorder and Addiction Treatment
Bipolar disorder creates intense mood swings that can drive people to use drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with manic episodes or deep depression. This combination makes recovery more challenging, but specialized treatment that addresses both conditions simultaneously provides the best chance for lasting wellness.
Southeast Addiction Center understands how these co-occurring disorders feed into each other and creates personalized treatment plans that tackle both your mental health symptoms and substance use patterns. You deserve compassionate care that treats the whole person, not just your symptoms.
Key points
- Bipolar disorder affects 2.8 percent of U.S. adults annually, with up to 60 percent developing co-occurring substance use problems.
- Symptoms include extreme mood swings from manic episodes with racing thoughts and risky behavior to depressive episodes with sadness and loss of interest.
- People often self-medicate with drugs or alcohol during intense mood episodes, creating a complex dual diagnosis requiring specialized bipolar treatment in Atlanta.
- Effective treatment combines evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT with medication management to address both conditions simultaneously.
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Bipolar Disorder and Addiction
Bipolar disorder affects millions of people in the US and across the world who experience extreme mood swings between manic episodes and depressive episodes.[1] Many people with this mental health condition turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate during intense mood episodes, leading to co-occurring substance use disorders. The combination of bipolar disorder and substance abuse creates a complex dual diagnosis that requires specialized care to address both the mental illness and addiction simultaneously.
People with bipolar I disorder or bipolar II disorder face unique challenges when substance use enters the picture.[2] During manic episodes, racing thoughts and impulsivity can drive risky behaviors, including drug use, while depressive symptoms may lead someone to drink or use substances to numb emotional pain. Substance use disorders can significantly complicate treatment and increase the risk of relapse, making integrated treatment approaches very important for lasting recovery.
Effective treatment for co-occurring bipolar disorder and addiction requires a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses both conditions together. Evidence-based therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and group therapy for bipolar disorder, combined with mood stabilizers like lithium and careful medication management, provide the foundation for recovery.[3]
How Common is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder affects approximately 2.8 percent of adults in the United States each year, making it one of the more prevalent mental health conditions nationwide.[4] Research shows that people with bipolar disorder have significantly higher rates of substance use disorders compared to the general population, with studies indicating that up to 60 percent of those with bipolar disorder will develop a co-occurring substance abuse problem at some point in their lives.
What Are the Primary Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder affects everyone differently, but there are common patterns that can help you understand what you or a loved one might be experiencing. These mood episodes often feel overwhelming and confusing, but recognizing the symptoms is an essential first step toward getting the help you deserve.[5]
Manic Episodes
- Feeling extremely energetic: Having way more energy than usual and feeling like you can do anything.
- Racing thoughts: Your mind feels like it’s going a mile a minute and won’t slow down.
- Needing very little sleep: Feeling wide awake after just a few hours of rest.
- Making big decisions quickly: Spending large amounts of money, making significant life changes, or taking risks without thinking them through.
- Talking very fast: Speaking so quickly that others have trouble following what you’re saying.
- Feeling invincible: Believing you have special abilities or that standard rules don’t apply to you.
Hypomanic Episodes
- Feeling unusually upbeat: Having more energy and confidence than usual, but not as extreme as mania.
- Being more social: Talking more and feeling more outgoing than usual.
- Getting more done: Feeling productive and accomplished.
- Mild mood changes: Others notice you seem different, but you can still handle daily activities.
Depressive Episodes
- Feeling very sad or empty: Having persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or numbness.
- Losing interest in things: No longer enjoying activities, hobbies, or people you used to love.
- Feeling exhausted: Being tired all the time, even when you’ve gotten enough sleep.
- Having trouble concentrating: Finding it hard to focus, make decisions, or remember things.
- Sleep problems: Either sleeping too much or having trouble falling or staying asleep.
- Thoughts of death or suicide: Having thoughts that life isn’t worth living, or thinking about hurting yourself
What Types of Treatment Are There For Bipolar Disorder and Drug/Alcohol Use?
At Southeast Addiction Center, treating bipolar disorder alongside substance use means addressing both conditions as part of one integrated treatment plan. The clinical team understands that mood episodes often drive people to use drugs or alcohol as a way to cope, and they design personalized programs that break this cycle. You’ll work with mental health professionals who specialize in dual diagnosis and know how to help you manage symptoms while building lasting recovery skills.
The treatment approach focuses on giving you practical tools to handle mood swings, cravings, and the daily challenges of living with bipolar disorder. Instead of just treating addiction or mental health symptoms separately, the program addresses how these conditions affect each other and develops strategies that work for both. You’ll learn to recognize warning signs, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and create a support system that understands the unique challenges of dual diagnosis:
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps you identify and change thought patterns that trigger both mood episodes and substance use, teaching practical skills for managing symptoms and preventing relapse.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Focuses on emotional regulation skills, distress tolerance, and mindfulness techniques that help you handle intense feelings without turning to substances.
- EMDR Therapy: EMDR for bipolar disorder helps to process trauma and difficult memories that may contribute to both bipolar symptoms and addiction, reducing their impact on your daily life.
- Holistic Treatment: Incorporates wellness practices such as meditation, exercise, nutrition guidance, and stress management to support overall mental and physical well-being.
- Motivational Interviewing: A supportive counseling style that helps you explore your own reasons for change and builds confidence in your ability to achieve recovery goals.
What makes Southeast Addiction Center different from other treatment programs for people with bipolar disorder and addiction?
Southeast Addiction Center stands out because the clinical team includes professionals who have their own long-term recovery experience, allowing them to connect with clients on a deeper level and truly understand the challenges of dual diagnosis.
The program offers flexible scheduling with both daytime and evening Intensive Outpatient Programs, making bipolar treatment in Atlanta accessible for working professionals who need to maintain their jobs while receiving help. Additionally, the center provides specialized tracks, such as the veterans program, where the clinical director, a veteran himself, oversees care plans and leads EMDR therapy sessions.
Our facility maintains smaller group sizes, ranging from 10 to 20 people, ensuring personalized attention. It includes amenities such as comfortable lounge spaces, always-available coffee and snacks, and a relaxed environment where phones are permitted.
This combination of clinical expertise, peer experience, flexible programming, and supportive atmosphere creates a treatment experience that addresses both the medical aspects of bipolar disorder and the real-world challenges of maintaining recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bipolar and Addiction Treatment in Atlanta
Can you treat both bipolar disorder and addiction at the same time?
Yes, Southeast Addiction Center specializes in dual diagnosis treatment that addresses both bipolar disorder and substance use simultaneously. This integrated approach is more effective than treating each condition separately because it recognizes how mood episodes and addiction influence each other.
What does a typical day look like in your bipolar and addiction program?
Clients participate in a combination of individual therapy, group sessions, and psychiatric care throughout the day. The schedule includes evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT for bipolar disorder, medication management with the psychiatric team, and peer support groups specifically designed for people with co-occurring disorders.
How long does treatment for bipolar disorder and addiction typically take?
Treatment length varies based on individual needs, with most clients staying in the program for over a month on average. Some individuals benefit from shorter stays of around one month, while others may require up to six months of support. The clinical team tailors the program duration to each person’s specific situation and progress.
Does insurance cover treatment for bipolar disorder and addiction?
Southeast Addiction Center accepts all commercial insurance plans and is in-network with Tricare, Optum VACCN, Alliant Health Plans, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. The admissions team verifies insurance benefits during the initial call and discusses coverage options, including private pay arrangements when needed.
Sources
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2024, August 14). Bipolar disorder. Mayo Clinic; Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955 on July 23, 2025
[2] Cerullo, M. A., & Strakowski, S. M. (2007). The prevalence and significance of substance use disorders in bipolar type I and II disorder. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 2(1). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2094705/ on July 23, 2025
[3] Butler, M., Urosevic, S., Desai, P., Sponheim, S. R., Popp, J., Nelson, V. A., Thao, V., & Sunderlin, B. (2018, August 1). Table 1, FDA-approved medications for bipolar disorder. Www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532193/table/ch2.tab1/ on July 23, 2025
[4] National Institute of Mental Health. (2022). Bipolar disorder. Www.nimh.nih.gov; National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/bipolar-disorder on July 23, 2025
[5] Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Bipolar Disorder (Manic-Depressive Disorder). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9294-bipolar-disorder on July 23, 2025
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