By definition, addition is the involuntary drive to pursue a particular substance. It is dependency or craving, some have even described it a form of enslavement or compulsion to behave a certain way, particularly to consume a certain substance. The consumption usually brings relief or fulfilment to a kind of suffering, craving or habit. Since bipolar mood swing disorder has its highs and lows. It is not an inaccurate thought to think that bipolar patients, would want to have some kind of relief to their affliction. However, prescribed meds for bipolar mood swings disorder do not work the same way as street drugs.
Meds or drugs prescribed for bipolar mood disorder are designed to be a slow-release kind of drugs. This means that when you do take the drugs, they do not work immediately to give a desired effect. It must also be mentioned that the whole purpose of the drugs is to stabilize the patients’ mood, so that they are not swinging between extreme depression and extreme excitement. If the drugs would give either effect immediately, most patients would overdose themselves on these. At least this is the explanation I got from my psychiatrist last year when I was diagnosed with bipolar mood swings disorder.
That being said, we must mention that most human beings tend to want a quick solution to any problem they may be facing. When one is down, they want a quick pick-me-up. When you are feeling down and depressed, you may want to reach for a bottle of gin, to quickly get out of the pit. For me, it was red wine; Lots of it. Most people having depression quickly become alcoholics as well. This is where the issue of dual diagnosis comes to play. More often than not, bipolar patients are given a dual diagnosis. They are often diagnosed with bipolar and drug addiction. Most treatment centres often emphasise on integrated treatment in order to get to the bottom of the problem and give a lasting solution to it. Most bipolar patients I know are still on therapy for depression and drug or alcohol abuse and also taking meds such as Epilim, Epilizine, Lithium or any other drug prescribed by a medical professional.
Drugs and alcohol addiction are not the only symptoms of depression. You also get people who have other sorts of addictions to deal with the pain or depression they are going through. Food addiction is one such addiction which has been accepted as a medical characteristic of depression. A recent study by the American Journal of managed care states that 56% of all bipolar patients are addicts of some sorts. The same white paper recommends that ongoing treatment for the disorder should incorporate what is termed an integrated treatment. This means that patients living with bipolar mood swings disorder should see both a psychologist (Shrink) and a psychiatrist (doctor).
Comments