Bipolar, Illegal Drugs, and Alcohol Spell Trouble

Bipolar Disorder is a condition that causes a person to have wild mood swings. A person can experience low (depression) to extremely high (mania) moods. Some people aren’t aware that they have bipolar. These people often turn to alcohol or illegal drugs to control their mood swings.

Alcohol and illegal drug use only compound their problems. Ecstacy and marijuana are two types of illegal drugs that cause the same problem in a bi-polar person. Ecstasy and marijuana give a person the feeling of euphoria. Since the low mood in bi-polar would probably have the person experiencing feelings of sadness, not wanting to do anything, or just wanting to stay in bed, ecstasy or marijuana would cause that same person to have high energy, restlessness, and excitability. When the person is coming off the high, their depression is usually increased.

Alcohol, on the other hand, is a totally different story. Alcoholism, as well as bipolar, is thought to be an inherited gene. A gene is passed from one generation to the next. Alcohol abuse and bipolar share similar characteristics and it may be difficult to diagnose bipolar. As with illegal drugs, alcohol is a mind-altering substance. While under the influence of alcohol, a bipolar person may be able to control mood swings. As with illegal drugs, while the effects wear off, the bipolar symptoms would worsen.

Bipolar is a serious condition that affects a person’s behavior. Drugs and alcohol also affect a person’s behavior. Both together are a disaster. A person should not use drugs of alcohol if they have bipolar.