Bipolar Disorder and Addiction Treatment in Virginia

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder causes extreme mood swings that shift between manic highs and depressive lows.[1] During manic episodes, people experience elevated energy, racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, and impulsive behavior that can lead to risky decisions. These periods of intense activity and euphoria alternate with episodes of severe depression, creating a pattern that disrupts every aspect of life.

The condition affects brain chemistry and neural circuits that regulate mood, emotion, and behavior. Manic phases may last days or weeks, followed by periods of normal mood or sudden crashes into depression.[2] Some people experience mixed episodes where symptoms of mania and depression occur simultaneously, creating internal chaos and distress. Without treatment, these cycles become more frequent and severe over time.

Bipolar disorder typically emerges in late adolescence or early adulthood, though symptoms can appear at any age.[3] The condition has strong genetic components, but environmental factors like stress, trauma, or substance use can trigger episodes. Different types of bipolar disorder exist, ranging from severe manic episodes in Bipolar I to less intense hypomanic states in Bipolar II. Rapid cycling patterns involve four or more mood episodes within a year, requiring specialized treatment approaches.

Drug/Alcohol Addiction and Its Interaction with Bipolar Disorder

Substance use disorders occur at exceptionally high rates among people with bipolar disorder, with studies showing up to 60 percent of individuals developing addiction alongside their mood condition.[4] During manic episodes, impaired judgment and increased risk-taking behaviors often lead to excessive drinking or drug experimentation. The elevated mood and decreased inhibitions make substance use feel consequence-free, while the energy and confidence of mania can mask intoxication effects. Conversely, during depressive episodes, people may use substances to escape overwhelming sadness or emotional numbness.

The interaction between bipolar disorder and addiction creates unique treatment challenges. Substance use can trigger mood episodes, interfere with medications, and blur the distinction between intoxication effects and bipolar symptoms.[5] Alcohol and drugs destabilize mood regulation systems already compromised by bipolar disorder, leading to more frequent and severe episodes. Stimulants like cocaine or amphetamines can precipitate manic episodes, while depressants like alcohol worsen depression and increase suicide risk.

Are There Different Kinds of Bipolar Disorder?

Mental health professionals recognize several distinct types of bipolar disorder, each with unique patterns of mood swings and severity levels. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classifies these variations to help healthcare providers develop targeted treatment plans for people with co-occurring substance use disorders:[6]

• Bipolar I Disorder: Characterized by severe manic episodes lasting at least seven days or requiring hospitalization, often followed by major depressive episodes. People with this form frequently self-medicate during extreme mood swings.
• Bipolar II Disorder: Involves less severe hypomanic episodes alternating with major depressive symptoms.
• Cyclothymic Disorder: Features numerous periods of hypomania and mild depression lasting at least two years. Substance misuse often masks these symptoms, making diagnosis challenging.
• Rapid Cycling: Occurs when someone experiences four or more manic episodes or depressive episodes within one year. This pattern increases risk factors for drug abuse and requires intensive, integrated treatment.
• Mixed Features: Involves simultaneous symptoms of mania and depression, creating severe distress that often leads to self-harm behaviors or increased substance use.

How Alpas in Virginia Treats Addiction and Bipolar Disorder

Alpas Wellness NOVA specializes in treating the volatile combination of bipolar disorder and addiction, recognizing that mood instability and substance use create unique recovery challenges. Treatment spaces incorporate calming design elements that help regulate the emotional extremes characteristic of bipolar disorder. Professional staff work to interrupt the dangerous cycle where manic episodes trigger substance use and drug or alcohol abuse worsens mood instability. Bipolar and addiction treatment Virginia residents trust begins at Alpas Wellness, where integrated care addresses both conditions through coordinated interventions.

Levels of Care

• Detox Placement: Medical professionals monitor mood fluctuations during withdrawal while providing 24/7 support for safe detoxification from substances that destabilize bipolar symptoms.
• Partial Hospitalization Program: Structured daytime treatment balances mood stabilization with addiction recovery, allowing patients to practice new skills while maintaining evening routines.
• Intensive Outpatient Treatment: Flexible programming accommodates work and family obligations while delivering essential treatment for co-occurring bipolar disorder and substance use.

Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Teaches patients to recognize early warning signs of mood episodes and substance cravings, and develop intervention strategies for both conditions.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy: DBT for bipolar provides specific skills for managing emotional dysregulation and impulsive behaviors that characterize both mania and addiction.
• Group Therapy: Group therapy for bipolar creates supportive environments where patients share experiences managing mood episodes without substance use.
• Motivational Interviewing: Helps patients explore their relationship with substances during different mood states, building motivation to maintain sobriety through mood cycles.
• Contingency Management: Rewards medication compliance and mood tracking alongside abstinence, reinforcing behaviors essential for bipolar disorder management.
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy: Addresses the unique challenges of maintaining treatment engagement during both manic and depressive phases of bipolar disorder.
• Experiential Therapy: Creative therapies help process the intense emotions of bipolar disorder while developing healthy outlets that replace substance use.
• Relapse Prevention: Identifies specific triggers for both mood episodes and substance use, creating comprehensive strategies for maintaining stability.
• Twelve-Step Facilitation: Adapts recovery principles to address the complexities of bipolar disorder, integrating mood management with sobriety goals.