Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition that deeply impacts mood, energy levels, behavior, and daily functioning. For individuals struggling with addiction, bipolar disorder can significantly complicate the path to recovery. If you or a loved one is seeking bipolar disorder treatment in Michigan, our integrated programs can help you move toward lasting stability and healing.
When someone experiences both a substance use disorder (SUD) and a mental health condition like bipolar disorder at the same time, this is known as a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis. At Enlightened Recovery Michigan, we recognize the unique challenges that come with living with both conditions. Our clinical team provides compassionate, evidence-based care to address the full scope of a person’s needs.
About Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood shifts that range from emotional highs (mania or hypomania) to intense lows (depression). These fluctuations can severely affect a person’s quality of life, relationships, and ability to function day to day.
Unlike the common mood swings many people experience, bipolar episodes can last for days, weeks, or even longer and often require medical attention. These intense states impact thoughts, sleep, behavior, energy, and judgment.
Bipolar disorder is not caused by personal weakness or character flaws; it’s a real, diagnosable medical condition. And when combined with substance use, symptoms can become even more difficult to manage.
As of 2019, bipolar disorder affected around 1 in 150 adults worldwide: roughly 40 million people, or 0.53% of the global population. The condition is most commonly seen in individuals of working age, though it also affects adolescents and young adults. While bipolar disorder occurs at similar rates in both men and women, studies show that women are more frequently diagnosed.
Types of Bipolar Disorder
There are several types of bipolar disorder, each with its own pattern of symptoms. Understanding these differences helps guide effective bipolar disorder treatment in Michigan.
Bipolar I Disorder
This form includes at least one manic episode that may be preceded or followed by a depressive episode. Mania in Bipolar I is severe and often leads to hospitalization or psychotic symptoms. Some individuals with Bipolar I also experience mixed episodes, where symptoms of both mania and depression occur at the same time.
Bipolar II Disorder
Bipolar II involves a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes (a milder form of mania). Although hypomania is less severe, the depressive symptoms can be intense and long-lasting. Many people with Bipolar II are misdiagnosed with depression until a hypomanic episode is identified.
Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia)
This is a milder form of bipolar disorder involving mood swings that aren’t as extreme as full mania or major depression. These mood fluctuations persist for at least two years in adults (or one year in children/teens) and can still be disruptive to daily life.
Other Specified and Unspecified Bipolar Disorders
When someone shows symptoms of bipolar disorder that don’t exactly fit into the above categories, they may be diagnosed with an unspecified form. These cases still require attention and can be just as disruptive as more defined types of bipolar.
Signs You Might Have Bipolar Disorder
Recognizing bipolar disorder can be tricky, especially when symptoms overlap with substance use. Often, individuals don’t notice the hypomanic or manic phases because they may feel energized or euphoric, making the depressive states that follow even more confusing. That’s why it is important to seek specialized bipolar disorder treatment in Michigan that can help accurately identify and address both conditions.
Here are common signs that may suggest the presence of bipolar disorder:
During a manic or hypomanic episode:
- Feeling unusually elated, confident, or high
- Decreased need for sleep
- Racing thoughts and fast speech
- Increased activity or agitation
- Impulsive or reckless behaviors (spending sprees, unsafe sex, substance use)
- Grandiose ideas or inflated self-esteem
During a depressive episode:
- Persistent sadness or emptiness
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
If you’ve experienced these symptoms and are also struggling with drugs or alcohol, it’s possible you’re facing a co-occurring disorder that requires integrated care.
How Bipolar Disorder and Substance Use Are Connected
People with bipolar disorder often turn to drugs or alcohol to manage symptoms, especially during periods of distress or instability. This can quickly become a dangerous cycle. Substances may provide temporary relief, but they often worsen mood instability in the long run.
Here’s how the two can fuel each other:
- Self-medication: A person may drink or use drugs to numb depressive symptoms or to prolong a manic episode.
- Impaired judgment: Mania can lead to risky behavior, including increased drug use or impulsive decisions involving substances.
- Chemical interactions: Substances can interfere with psychiatric medications, making mood symptoms harder to control.
- Increased hospitalization rates: Co-occurring bipolar and substance use disorders lead to higher rates of hospitalization and crisis intervention.
Why Co-Occurring Disorders Require Specialized Treatment
Treating only one condition, either bipolar disorder or substance use, rarely leads to long-term success. In most cases, untreated mental health symptoms will trigger relapse, and ongoing substance use will block progress in mental health treatment.
In our bipolar disorder treatment in Michigan, we offer coordinated care that addresses both disorders simultaneously. This approach allows individuals to understand the root causes of their behaviors, build healthy coping skills, and manage symptoms in sustainable ways.
Our clinical approach draws on evidence-based therapies that support both mental health and recovery, such as:
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps individuals identify and reframe harmful thought patterns.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Focuses on emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Encourages mindful living and alignment with personal values.
- Motivational Interviewing: Builds internal motivation for positive change.
- Family Therapy: Strengthens communication and understanding within the family system.
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT): Challenges irrational beliefs that contribute to emotional distress.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Supports detox and recovery for individuals who need medical help managing cravings or withdrawal.
This combination of therapeutic support and medical care is key for individuals seeking effective bipolar disorder treatment.
Enlightened Recovery Michigan: A Place of Healing and Hope
We understand how overwhelming it can feel to live with both bipolar disorder and addiction. But you don’t have to go through it alone. At Enlightened Recovery Michigan, we provide a safe, structured environment where individuals can stabilize, heal, and regain control of their lives.
Our programs include:
- Medical Detox for those beginning their recovery journey
- Residential Treatment to offer full-time support and structure
- Dual Diagnosis Care that treats both addiction and bipolar disorder
- Therapy and Wellness Programs to promote mental, emotional, and physical healing
What sets us apart is our focus on treating the whole person, not just the symptoms. We take the time to understand your story, your strengths, and your goals. Our team works alongside you to create a recovery path that’s both practical and empowering.
