When bipolar disorder and addiction overlap, the path to recovery can feel overwhelming, but the right care makes healing possible. For those in Portland navigating mood swings, emotional instability, and substance use, compassionate, informed treatment is not only helpful. It’s essential.
At Discover Recovery, treatment begins with understanding. From accurate diagnosis to integrated care, each step is designed to support both mental health and addiction recovery in a way that feels connected and sustainable.
Here, you can find clarity around how bipolar disorder and addiction influence each other, how to spot the difference between overlapping symptoms, and what it looks like to receive personalized, evidence-based care that addresses both conditions together.
Understanding the link between bipolar disorder and addiction
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood shifts. People may experience intense emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and debilitating lows (depression). These cycles can make it hard to maintain stability at work, in relationships, or in daily life.
Substance use is common among people with bipolar disorder. Some use drugs or alcohol to try to manage mood symptoms. Others may develop substance use disorders during manic episodes when impulsivity and risk-taking are high.
Read more about the relationship between bipolar disorder and addiction.
Signs of bipolar disorder
Recognizing the signs of bipolar disorder is the first step toward getting help. Symptoms can vary from person to person and may be mistaken for other issues, especially when substance use is involved. Common signs include:
- Manic or hypomanic episodes, which may involve increased energy, decreased need for sleep, impulsive behavior, racing thoughts, or inflated self-esteem
- Depressive episodes, including feelings of hopelessness, low energy, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep or appetite, and loss of interest in daily activities
- Mood swings that feel unpredictable or extreme
- Irritability or agitation during both manic and depressive states
- Periods of poor judgment that result in risky behaviors
- Substance use as a way to cope with emotional highs or lows
If you notice these patterns in yourself or someone you care about, a comprehensive evaluation can help clarify what’s going on and what kind of treatment might help.
Can substance abuse cause bipolar disorder?
Substance use doesn’t cause bipolar disorder, but it can mimic or worsen symptoms. For example, stimulant drugs may trigger manic-like behavior, while depressants can deepen depressive states.
Repeated substance use can disrupt brain chemistry in ways that look similar to bipolar disorder. In some cases, heavy use over time may unmask an underlying mood disorder that had previously gone undiagnosed.
This overlap is one reason why comprehensive psychiatric evaluation is so important when entering addiction treatment. The right diagnosis ensures the right care.
How to distinguish substance-induced mania from bipolar disorder
Manic symptoms caused by drugs often resolve when the substance leaves the body. In contrast, true bipolar mania can last days or weeks, often without a clear trigger.
Here are some clues that may help distinguish the two:
- Timing: If symptoms appear only while using or withdrawing from substances, they may be drug-induced.
- Duration: Substance-induced symptoms are usually shorter-lived.
- Mood history: A personal or family history of mood disorders may point toward bipolar disorder.
- Persistence in sobriety: If symptoms continue even after sustained abstinence, bipolar disorder is more likely.
Psychiatric assessments are part of every treatment plan at Discover Recovery, ensuring that each person receives care tailored to the root cause of their symptoms.
How to treat bipolar disorder in recovery
Treating bipolar disorder in addiction recovery requires an integrated approach. This means addressing both mental health and substance use disorders at the same time.
A comprehensive treatment plan for bipolar disorder and addiction may include:
- Mood-stabilizing medications such as lithium or anticonvulsants, prescribed and monitored by a psychiatric provider
- Dual diagnosis therapy to help clients understand the relationship between mood instability and substance use
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for managing thoughts and behaviors
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for emotional regulation and distress tolerance
- Relapse prevention strategies specifically adapted for mood disorders
- Peer support groups focused on co-occurring conditions
- Holistic therapies such as yoga, mindfulness, or expressive arts to support emotional balance
Consistency, structure, and long-term support are essential. Treatment doesn’t stop when symptoms ease. Ongoing care helps maintain stability and prevent relapse.
Learn more about bipolar disorder treatment at Discover Recovery.
How dual diagnosis treatment works
Dual diagnosis treatment is designed for people who live with both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder. Rather than treating each condition separately, this approach addresses both together, recognizing that one often affects the other.
Dual diagnosis treatment begins with a full psychiatric and clinical assessment. This helps identify underlying conditions, clarify diagnosis, and guide treatment planning.
From there, treatment includes:
- Integrated therapy that addresses addiction and mood symptoms simultaneously
- Medication management for mood stabilization
- Education about how bipolar disorder and substance use interact
- Skills training for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and relapse prevention
- Peer and group support from others with co-occurring disorders
- Ongoing coordination between therapists, psychiatric providers, and case managers
The goal is to give each person the tools and support they need to manage both conditions in a sustainable way.
The benefits of co-occurring disorder treatment
Choosing a program that specializes in co-occurring disorders offers several key benefits:
- More accurate diagnosis: Many people have undiagnosed mental health conditions until they enter addiction treatment. Integrated care ensures both issues are properly identified and addressed.
- Better long-term outcomes: Treating both conditions together reduces the risk of relapse and improves mood stability, self-awareness, and emotional health.
- Personalized support: Dual diagnosis care isn’t one-size-fits-all. Providers work closely with each person to develop strategies that address the specific challenges of bipolar disorder and addiction.
- Greater self-understanding: Therapy helps people connect the dots between their mood symptoms, thought patterns, and substance use behaviors.
- Continuity of care: Co-occurring disorder treatment includes aftercare planning and coordination with community providers, giving people a path forward after rehab ends.
Discover Recovery’s co-occurring disorder program in Portland is structured to meet the needs of individuals with complex challenges and provide the foundation for lasting recovery.
Why you should choose Discover Recovery as your Portland rehab center
If you’re searching for bipolar treatment in Portland or trying to understand how addiction and mood disorders are connected, Discover Recovery offers a dual diagnosis program built for this exact purpose.
Here’s what sets our Portland rehab center apart:
- Integrated care: We don’t treat addiction and mental health separately. Every treatment plan is built with both in mind.
- On-site psychiatric evaluation: All clients receive a full assessment from a licensed provider to ensure accurate diagnosis and medication support.
- Evidence-based therapy: CBT, DBT, and trauma-informed care are standard.
- Flexible programming: Our Portland location offers both IOP and PHP options to match your level of need.
- Trauma-informed approach: Many people with bipolar disorder have also experienced trauma. Our team is trained to respond with care, not judgment.
- Support beyond treatment: Aftercare planning, community referrals, and alumni support help you stay connected long after discharge.
Explore our co-occurring disorder treatment options.
Start your path to stability
Living with untreated bipolar disorder and addiction is exhausting, but help is available. Discover Recovery’s Portland team provides the structure, insight, and support needed to manage mood symptoms while building a foundation for long-term recovery.
If you suspect you’re dealing with both conditions, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Contact us today at 866.719.2173 or online to learn more about treatment for bipolar disorder and addiction.
Frequently asked questions about bipolar disorder and addiction recovery
Can bipolar disorder and addiction be treated at the same time?
Yes. In fact, treating both conditions together is essential for long-term success. Integrated dual diagnosis treatment ensures that symptoms of bipolar disorder and substance use don’t get overlooked or treated in isolation.
What medications are used to treat bipolar disorder in addiction recovery?
Mood stabilizers such as lithium, valproate, and lamotrigine are commonly prescribed. Antipsychotic medications may also be used in some cases. Medication is always paired with therapy and monitored by a psychiatric provider who understands co-occurring disorders.
Will sobriety make my bipolar symptoms worse?
Initially, some people experience an increase in mood symptoms after quitting substances. This is often temporary. With proper medical and therapeutic support, mood stability usually improves over time as the body and brain adjust to sobriety.
How long does dual diagnosis treatment take?
Treatment timelines vary. Some people start with residential or partial hospitalization (PHP) and move into intensive outpatient (IOP) over time. Most dual diagnosis programs last several weeks to a few months, followed by ongoing outpatient or aftercare support.
Is a formal diagnosis required before starting treatment?
No. If you suspect you have bipolar disorder, Discover Recovery can provide a full psychiatric evaluation as part of the intake process. Many people begin treatment without a previous diagnosis and receive clarity during the early stages of care.