Living with bipolar disorder comes with a set of challenges on its own. Managing mood swings, staying on track with treatment, and maintaining balance can already feel overwhelming at times.
When drug use is added into the mix, things can become even more complicated—and, in many cases, much more serious.
While it might seem like a way to feel better at the moment, drug use can actually worsen bipolar symptoms and make it harder to find long-term stability.
We’ll explore the connections between bipolar disorder and substance use, why they often occur together, and how drug use can affect bipolar symptoms over time. We’ll also explain what co-occurring disorder treatment looks like and how getting the right help can make a big difference.
Understanding Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a condition that causes intense mood swings, shifting between emotional highs—called mania or hypomania—and lows, known as depression.
These mood changes aren’t the usual ups and downs everyone experiences. They can be extreme, making daily life unpredictable and difficult to manage.
During a manic episode, a person may feel extremely energized, talkative, restless, or confident. They might have racing thoughts, sleep very little, and make impulsive decisions they wouldn’t normally consider.
On the flip side, a depressive episode can bring deep sadness, fatigue, hopelessness, trouble sleeping or eating, and struggles with focusing or enjoying things.
It’s important to understand that bipolar disorder is a medical condition. It’s not a personal weakness or something a person can just “snap out of.”
Why People with Bipolar Disorder May Use Drugs
It’s not uncommon for people with bipolar disorder to struggle with substance use as well.
In fact, many turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with the intense highs and lows that come with the condition.
This is known as self-medication—using substances to try to calm racing thoughts, lift depression, ease anxiety, or help with sleep.
During a manic episode, someone might feel impulsive or invincible and use drugs without thinking about the risks. During a depressive episode, drug use might be a way to escape deep sadness, numb emotional pain, or feel something—anything—at all.
There are other reasons, too.
Some people don’t have access to the right treatment or feel shame or stigma about asking for help. Others feel isolated and turn to substances to cope with that loneliness.
Can Drug Use Worsen Bipolar Disorder?
When someone is living with bipolar disorder, adding drug use into the mix can make things much more difficult.
The answer to the question “Can drug use worsen bipolar disorder?” is yes—absolutely.
Substance use can impact mood, treatment, and overall mental health in serious ways. Let’s break it down:
Drug Use and Mood Instability
One of the biggest risks of drug use for someone with bipolar disorder is the way it increases mood instability.
Many drugs—especially stimulants, depressants, or hallucinogens—can trigger or worsen both manic and depressive episodes.
For example, a stimulant like cocaine might send someone into a manic state with racing thoughts, risky behavior, and sleeplessness.
On the other hand, using depressants like alcohol can deepen feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or fatigue during a depressive episode.
Over time, this can make mood swings more frequent, more intense, and harder to manage.
Interference with Medications
People with bipolar disorder are often prescribed mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, or antidepressants.
Using drugs while taking these medications can lead to dangerous interactions or cause the medicines to stop working properly. Some drugs interfere with how medications are absorbed in the body, while others can increase side effects or make symptoms worse.
For example, alcohol can lower the effectiveness of mood stabilizers and increase sedation. This can cause people to think their meds aren’t working—when in reality, it’s the substance use getting in the way.
When medications don’t work as they should, people may stop taking them altogether, making symptoms harder to treat in the long run.
Increased Risk of Hospitalization or Crisis
Drug use can also contribute to mental health emergencies, especially for someone who’s diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
The mix of unstable moods and substance use increases the risk of hospitalization, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts.
Someone in a manic state might use drugs impulsively, leading to dangerous behavior or overdose. During a depressive episode, substance use can push someone deeper into hopelessness and despair. These crisis points can be terrifying—for the individual and their loved ones.
When drug use is involved, it becomes much harder to reach and maintain the kind of long-term stability that’s possible with proper treatment.
That’s why it’s so important to treat both bipolar disorder and substance use at the same time, with care that addresses the full picture.
Treating Bipolar Disorder and Substance Use Together
When someone is dealing with both bipolar disorder and drug use, they need what’s called dual diagnosis treatment. This means treating both at the same time rather than focusing on just one.
Why?
Because if you only treat the addiction and ignore the bipolar disorder—or vice versa—symptoms usually come back, and relapse becomes more likely.
Effective dual diagnosis treatment includes several important parts.
First, there’s therapy—both one-on-one and group sessions.
This helps people better understand their thoughts, behaviors, and triggers. Therapists can also help build healthier coping skills to deal with stress, emotions, and cravings.
Second, medication management is often a key part of treatment. People with bipolar disorder may need mood stabilizers or other medications to keep symptoms in check.
A trained medical team helps make sure these are working properly and safely, especially during recovery from substance use.
Third, a strong support system is essential. Whether it’s group support, peer counseling, or family involvement, having people in your corner makes a big difference.
When both the mental health condition and the substance use disorder are treated together, people have a much better chance at long-term healing.
How Pacific Beach Health Can Help
At Pacific Beach Health, we specialize in helping people who are struggling with both substance use and mental health issues, including bipolar disorder. We know that recovery looks different for everyone, so we take a personalized approach to care—meeting you where you are and helping you move forward at your own pace.
Our team offers a combination of individual therapy, group support, medication management, and holistic services like mindfulness, wellness activities, and life skills training.
Most importantly, we understand how closely mental health and substance use are connected.
That’s why we focus on treating both together, with care plans that address the full picture rather than just one part of it.
Final Thoughts
So, can drug use worsen bipolar disorder?
Yes, it can.
It can lead to more severe symptoms, make treatment harder, and increase the risk of crisis. The good news is that help is available, and healing is possible.
If you or someone you love is dealing with both bipolar disorder and substance use, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.
The right kind of care can make all the difference.
Contact Pacific Beach Health to learn more about our dual diagnosis treatment programs or to talk with someone about your options. We’re here to support you on the path to recovery.
