Treatment for Bipolar Disorder and Addiction in South Carolina

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes drastic mood swings. People with this condition experience manic and depressive episodes that can last for days to weeks at a time. According to the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH), about 4.4% of people experience bipolar disorder in their lifetime.

Unfortunately, bipolar disorder is a condition that must be managed with a combination of therapy and medication. When it is left untreated, the symptoms can cause people to begin engaging in negative coping mechanisms. Because of this, many individuals with bipolar disorder develop a substance use disorder.

If you have co-occurring bipolar disorder and addiction, dual-diagnosis treatment is a necessity. These treatment programs combine mental health treatment with evidence-based substance abuse recovery services. If you or a loved one need treatment for bipolar disorder and addiction in South Carolina, please contact our team at South Carolina Addiction Treatment Detox & Residential today.

How are Bipolar Disorder and Addiction Connected?

Bipolar disorder causes manic and depressive episodes. During mania, you might experience an elevated mood, impulsivity, and insomnia. Depressive episodes can lead to prolonged feelings of sadness, social isolation, and even suicidal thoughts.

If the symptoms of bipolar disorder are left untreated, you might begin abusing drugs or alcohol to cope. Eventually, this leads to the development of an addiction.

According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), at least 40% of people with bipolar disorder develop an addiction.

Family members of someone suffering from bipolar disorder and addiction should seek help. Treating bipolar disorder and addiction involves long-term treatment plans. Services include individual counseling, group therapy, medical detox, and the use of medications like mood stabilizers.

What to Expect During Bipolar Disorder and Addiction Treatment in South Carolina

Mental health issues like bipolar disorder require extensive treatment. When you also have a co-occurring disorder like addiction, you need to ensure you get specialized care. Thankfully, bipolar disorder and addiction treatment centers in South Carolina can provide exactly what you need to regain control over your life.

Treatment for addiction and bipolar disorder includes:

Medical Detox

The first step in recovery is medical detox. When you suffer from addiction, suddenly stopping the use of a substance will result in withdrawal symptoms. Depending on what substance you are abusing, withdrawal could become life-threatening without medical care.

The goal of medical detox is to rid your body of substances safely and comfortably. Medications will be provided to limit your withdrawal symptoms. You will also be monitored consistently to ensure you remain in good physical health.

Therapy for Addiction

In addition to medical detox, treating addiction involves a combination of individual and group counseling. Your behavioral health is improved through the use of evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

During addiction therapy, you will address the root causes of your substance abuse. Additionally, you will learn positive coping mechanisms that will replace your desire to abuse drugs and alcohol.

Counseling for Bipolar Disorder

A huge part of managing bipolar disorder is therapy. Counseling techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you learn how to manage your symptoms naturally. For example, CBT focuses on identifying problems you struggle with and learning how to improve your emotional reactions.

When you treat your bipolar disorder with therapy, some of your addictive behaviors will likely lessen as well. For many people with bipolar disorder, addiction is a symptom of their untreated manic and depressive episodes.

Medication Management

While therapy can be extremely effective for bipolar disorder, medication is usually necessary. Bipolar disorder is characterized by imbalanced chemicals in your brain leading to periods of mania and depression.

Taking medication can lessen the symptoms you experience and prevent severe episodes from occurring. Most people with bipolar disorder take mood stabilizers or antipsychotics.

Examples of medications used to treat bipolar disorder include:

• Haldol
• Zyprexa
• Seroquel
• Risperdal
• Lithium

Holistic Treatments

Treatment programs for bipolar disorder and addiction also use holistic treatment methods. “Holistic” is a term that refers to the whole person. These services help you recover mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Examples of holistic treatments used to aid in the recovery from addiction and bipolar disorder include:

• Massage and acupuncture
• Meditation and yoga
• Breathing exercises and mindfulness techniques
• Nutritional counseling and exercise therapy
• Art and music therapy

Relapse Prevention and Aftercare

Before you complete treatment for bipolar and addiction, you will learn vital relapse prevention techniques.

The addiction relapse rate is between 40 and 60%. Unfortunately, relapse is most likely even higher for those with co-occurring bipolar disorder. As a result, you will learn about what triggers you and how to use positive coping mechanisms to avoid a relapse.

A major aspect of relapse prevention is aftercare. Your rehab program will offer services to you even after you complete treatment. Aftercare services may include:

• Continued therapy for bipolar and addiction
• Medication management services
• Referrals to outpatient rehab or sober living programs
• Recommendations on local support groups to attend
• Access to an alumni support group
• Case management services like vocational and health care assistance

Aftercare services help you stay connected to recovery. You will also have continued access to therapy and counseling. This ensures you stay on top of managing your bipolar disorder.

Find Bipolar Disorder and Addiction Treatment in South Carolina

Co-occurring bipolar disorder and addiction can be difficult to overcome. However, dual diagnosis programs in South Carolina can offer the support you need to regain control over your life. Rehab facilities like South Carolina addiction treatment offer the perfect combination of mental health and addiction recovery services.

South Carolina Addiction Treatment is a state-licensed and CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) accredited substance abuse treatment facility. We are a dual-diagnosis facility with a primary focus on substance abuse. We offer individualized, extended-term treatment in an intimate setting located in Greenville / Simpsonville, SC. 

Recovering from co-occurring disorders can be hard, but with compassionate and empathetic care, you can achieve long-lasting recovery. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you recover from bipolar disorder and addiction.