People with bipolar disorder are six times more likely to have problems with alcohol. In one study, 27% were considered “alcohol dependent” and another 16% were grappling with alcoholism. The two conditions interact: People with bipolar disorder may use alcohol to keep the “high” of a manic phase going or to numb the agitation they feel. But as the high fades, alcohol withdrawal can trigger severe bipolar mood swings. Genetics is part of the mix. In families with alcoholism, bipolar disorder was 14 times more likely than in families without alcoholism, one study found. People who have mixed bipolar episodes—mania and depression at once—were more likely to have alcohol abuse problems.

• Alcoholism is more common in bipolar disorder than in any other mental-health issue except antisocial personality disorder.
• People with tough-to-treat “rapid cycling” bipolar disease (quick, dramatic mood swings) are more likely to over-use alcohol than other bipolar types.
• Getting treatment for bipolar disorder seems to make it easier to control alcohol abuse, researchers say.
• In one study, people with alcoholism who got treatment for their bipolar disorder did better in alcohol treatment than those without bipolar disorder.
• Mood-stabilizing drugs may work better than the standard bipolar medication, lithium, for bipolar disorder with alcoholism.

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