As part of the psychological treatment at Recovery Ways, an integrated approach is used as a means of teaching patients that there is life outside the confines of drug addiction. Each patient is encouraged to be involved in social and spiritual activities that will encourage awareness of the world around him. By learning to cope with life as he currently finds it, the recovering addict is better able to manage his emotions and his mood swings. With those under control it’s easier to form a better outlook on life which, in turn, helps the addict resist the urge to relapse.
Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric condition that is sometimes referred to as a manic-depressive disorder, or simply manic depression. It is a mood disorder generally manifesting itself through episodes of manic behavior, which is to say excessively elevated levels of emotion, energy, and cognition. Sometimes bipolar disorder is accompanied by opposite episodes of depression; although this is not required for diagnosis. In either case, those with bipolar disorder will have regular periods of normal moods in addition to the manic and depressed states.
Bipolar Disorder and Substance Abuse
While there is some evidence suggesting that bipolar disorder can be caused by the long-term use of illicit drugs, how they are linked is not completely understood. Nonetheless, certain drugs which cause hallucinations, anxiety, and paranoia greatly contribute to the disorder, exacerbating its symptoms and consequences. It is quite common for individuals who were previously able to manage bipolar disorder to become completely unmanageable as result of chemical dependency.
Bipolar disorder is often linked to clinical depression and anxiety disorders. There is some evidence to suggest that perhaps these three disorders may not be individual conditions in and of themselves, but might be overlapping components of a larger disorder. Those who have been clinically diagnosed as suffering from bipolar disorder are often in need of simultaneous treatment for depression and/or anxiety.
Medical and Psychiatric Treatments
Bipolar disorder is most commonly treated through a combination of medication and psychotherapy. When prescribing medication the goal is to stabilize the patient’s mood so as to prevent alternating episodes of depression and manic behavior. Psychotherapy is employed as a means of teaching the patient to recognize triggers, express emotions properly, and modify behavior so as to reduce the likelihood of an episode occurring. Cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and family therapy are often employed to this end.
Treating Bipolar Disorder along with Chemical Dependence
As with all mood disorders a bipolar disorder is amplified when an addict starts the withdrawal process. If not treated, the patient can represent a serious threat to his own safety as well as that of other clients and staff members. The clinical staff at Recovery Ways is fully trained to deal with bipolar disorder and the specific challenges it presents. Our residential treatment program also has a trained and certified medical staff that can stabilize the client and see to it that drugs are administered properly, and only when necessary.
Recovery Ways specializes in treating a wide variety of addictions and co-occurring disorders, for more information on how to get you or your loved one help, call us toll- free: (801) 809-9663.
