"30% to 60% of those with bipolar disorder also struggle with alcoholism or substance abuse"

Question

Please what I can do to help my husband with bipolar disorder. We have been married for 9 years and it is very difficult.

I am looking for anything that could possibly help me also - I don't know what I can do and am feeling desperate. As well as being bipolar, my husband drinks alcohol. We have three daughters and I'm concerned what the effect of their father's drinking and not being stable will have on them. How does alcohol and bipolar disorder effect each other?

Answer

We empathise with your dilemma, and it is very important that, being the family of a bi polar sufferer, you find support and guidance for yourself and your family. However, it is also very important to glean as much knowledge as possible about bipolar disorder which may help you to understand the illness better, and therefore help your husband to also find appropriate support.  

Bipolar Disorder and Alcohol

We will deal with the bipolar disorder and alcohol first: It is generally believed that 30% to 60% of those with bipolar disorder (manic depression) also struggle with alcoholism or substance abuse. Researchers, as well as many of those caught in the cycle of addiction, believe the use of these substances is an attempt to alleviate symptoms or to "self-medicate".  

Bipolar disorder causes a person to have a high level of energy, grandiose thoughts or ideas, and impulsive or reckless behavior. These symptoms may feel good to a person, which may lead to denial that there is a problem. Bipolar disorder symptoms may appear to be part of another illness or attributed to other problems, such as substance abuse, poor school performance, or trouble in the workplace. However, mood disorders and alcohol/drug problems are both treatable illnesses. They are not moral weaknesses or character flaws. They can affect anyone, regardless of age, ethnicity or economic background. Studies have shown that more than half of the people who have depression or bipolar disorder also use alcohol and/or drugs. Sometimes people may use alcohol or drugs to help cover up or mask symptoms of a mood disorder. For example, if a person's mind is racing because of mania, a drink of alcohol may slow it down. If a person has intense sadness or hopelessness because of depression, a drug or drink may help him or her feel happy or hopeful for a period of time. This "self-medication" may appear to help, but it actually makes things worse. After the temporary effects of the alcohol or drugs wear off, a person's symptoms are often worse than ever. Self-medication can cause a person's mood disorder to stay undiagnosed for a long time. The importance of taking his prescribed drugs will help keep your husband's condition stabilized. However, he may also need professional assistance and guidance with his alcohol dependency. 

You will be helped initially by understanding his condition better, so with this knowledge and guidance and support for yourself, you will hopefully feel more in control and can then give priority to your problems. You will find you are not alone and there is help and support for families and carers of people suffering bipolar disorder. The related links below may be helpful to you in learning more about bipolar disorder with support groups for your husband who is the person living with this, and their carers, which is yourself and your family. 

Related Links
Bipolar Disorder
Support Groups Map for depression and Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder includes Coping Resources for Families