The Nexus Teen Academy editorial and clinical team is dedicated to providing informative and accurate content to help families who are struggling with adolescent behavioral health problems. The editorial team works directly with the clinical team to ensure information is accurate and up-to-date.
To do this, our team uses the following editorial guidelines:
We generally only cite government and peer-reviewed studies
Scientific claims and data are backed by qualified sources
Content is updated to ensure we are citing the most up-to-date data and information
Clinically reviewed by Executive Director Hannah Carr-Unquera, LPC
Executive Director Hannah Carr-Unquera, LPC
Hannah graduated from Arizona State University with her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona. She began her work as a therapist 12 years ago in South Phoenix with an intensive outpatient program for teens and their families. She joined Nexus in the residential program as the clinical director, eventually being promoted to the executive director, creating and building the clinical program structure and a strong culture focused on redirecting the trajectory of young lives.
The Nexus Teen Academy Editorial Staff is composed of writers, editors, and clinical reviewers with many years of experience writing about mental health and behavioral health treatment. Our team utilizes peer-reviewed, clinical studies from sources like SAMHSA to ensure we provide the most accurate and current information.
Did you know that the rate of substance use disorder in individuals with bipolar disorderranges from 35-60%? Without the right help and support, teens with bipolar disorder may turn to drugs and other substances to alleviate or cope with intense symptoms. Seeking professional support as early as possible may prevent such outcomes.
Common co-occurring conditions with teen bipolar disorder include drug addiction, alcohol addiction, and self-harm. Note from the onset that the signs and symptoms of drug addiction and bipolar disorder may overlap. Such overlaps may cause diagnostic and treatment challenges, as explored in this article.
Nexus Teen Academy, Arizona’s trusted substance abuse treatment center for teens, understands the challenges faced by teens with bipolar disorder. Besides teen drug addiction treatment, we offer support interventions and resources for such teens and their families. In this article, we will discuss teen bipolar disorder and addiction and equip you with strategies for navigating a resulting dual diagnosis. Join us as one of our experts shares useful insights regarding teen bipolar disorder and addiction.
Understanding Dual Diagnosis
As the name suggests, teens with dual diagnoses have co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. They may turn to alcohol, drugs, and illicit substances owing to the challenges associated with their bipolar condition. This may lead to drug dependency and, ultimately, a substance use disorder. Unfortunately, when mental health and substance abuse disorders co-occur, teenager’s lives are usually disrupted significantly. They may end up self-harming or engaging in risky behaviors. Relationship issues and academic struggles are also common in such teens.
Families are not also spared. They may experience intense emotional distress, stigma, financial strain, helplessness, and feelings of guilt due to their teen’s dual diagnosis. What may drive a teenager with bipolar disorder to experiment with drugs? Let’s find out more.
The Link Between Teen Bipolar Disorder and Addiction
Bipolar disorder is a complicated condition that can leave your teenager feeling out of control. They may reach for any means that may offer some relief of their symptoms. Here is how bipolar disorder can lead to substance abuse issues in teens:
Self-Medication: Teens with bipolar disorder may turn to alcohol, drugs, and substances to find relief from emotional distress or instability. Drugs may also offer a way of alleviating depressive or manic symptoms.
Coping Mechanism: Teens with bipolar disorder may use drugs and substances to cope with intense mood swings and overwhelming emotions.
Impulsivity: Manic episodes are usually associated with impulsive behaviors. Teens may, therefore, experiment with or misuse drugs during this period. Drug use during a manic episode can also be attributed to heightened energy levels and minimal inhibitions.
Note that substance use may worsen a teenager’s mood swings and trigger manic or depressive episodes. This may, unfortunately, lead to a cycle of drug use and deteriorating mental health.
Navigating the Overlap of Teen Bipolar & Addiction
As we mentioned, the symptoms of bipolar disorder and addiction can overlap. This can cause complications in diagnosis and treatment. Here are a few scenarios that show an overlap:
Common Scenarios Where Bipolar Disorder and Addiction Symptoms May Overlap:
Teens with undiagnosed bipolar disorder may turn to alcohol, drugs, and substances to cope with intense mood swings. This may, in turn, lead to overlapping symptoms of addiction and mood instability.
The episodes of bipolar disorder may be mistaken for the highs and lows of substance use.
Bipolar disorder and addiction can both disrupt a teenager’s sleeping patterns. This can lead to insomnia during manic episodes and excessive sleep during depressive episodes.
Teens with bipolar disorder often choose to withdraw socially during depressive episodes. On the other hand, struggles with addiction may also lead to isolation. This may cause an overlap in symptoms.
Manic episodes may trigger engagement in risky behaviors. Common risky behaviors among teens include promiscuity and reckless driving. Such behaviors are also common in individuals struggling with addiction.
Substance use disorders can manifest as mood symptoms resembling those of bipolar disorder. These include euphoria, irritability, and depression.
Nexus Teen Academy's Approach to Professional Assessment
At Nexus Teen Academy, we use a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to treat dual disorders. This normally involves the expertise of different professionals. These may include social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other addiction and mental health professionals. We also use various techniques to ensure accurate diagnoses. These range from psychological testing or psychiatric interviews to medical examinations.
Additionally, we collaborate with parents and schools to gather the necessary information required for a correct diagnosis. Teenagers’ unique developmental, familial, and social factors also play an important role during assessment and diagnosis.
Importance of Professional Assessment
If you suspect your teen may be using substances on top of their bipolar disorder diagnosis, it is important to get professional assistance as soon as possible. Treatment professionals can support both you and your teen. They can also address your teen’s behaviors before long-term consequences are experienced. Here are some of the benefits associated with professional assessment of teen dual disorders:
It ensures accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorder and its co-occurring conditions. This ensures appropriate treatment.
It allows for early intervention. Common benefits of early intervention include prompt treatment, reduced symptom severity, and better long-term outcomes.
It helps develop personalized treatment plans. Such plans cater to the unique needs of every teenager. As a result, they improve treatment outcomes.
It informs the selection of therapeutic strategies.
It promotes accurate assessment of associated risks. Common risks bipolar teens experience include self-harm and suicidal ideation.
Professional assessment also plays an important role in formulating long-term dual disorder management plans.
Challenges of Dual Diagnosis
A few challenges associated with dual diagnosis include:
Overlapping symptoms. These may lead to diagnostic difficulties.
Increased relapse risks as new episodes are experienced.
Potentially adverse interactions between the prescribed medications.
Increased risk of treatment resistance.
Financial strain due to comprehensive treatment requirement.
Disruptions of family dynamics, leading to conflict and stress.
Treatment Strategies for Teen Bipolar & Addiction
If these conditions do co-occur, then the treatment needs to be tailored to match your teen’s and their specific experience. These treatment plans are based on evidence-based treatment modalities and ensure that both conditions are treated in the best manner possible. Here are the common treatment strategies used to address co-occurring bipolar disorder and substance use disorders:
Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs
At Nexus Teen Academy, we offer a dual-diagnosis treatment program that addresses both bipolar disorder and addiction simultaneously. We employ a team of professionals during treatment. These include addiction counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. Such professionals collaborate and prepare personalized treatment plans based on the teenager’s conditions and needs.
Integrated Treatment Approaches
Integrated treatment approaches combine mental health and addiction treatment interventions. They often encompass the following:
Attending therapy sessions to address both disorders
Participating in support groups tailored for co-occurring disorders.
Integrating relapse prevention strategies.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy helps bipolar teens with co-occurring disorders understand the relationship between their addictive behaviors and bipolar disorder symptoms. It also helps them develop coping skills and address underlying issues. Common psychotherapy techniques used in dual disorder treatment include:
Treatment professionals often prescribe medications when treating bipolar disorder and other co-occurring conditions. Mood stabilizers such as anticonvulsants, lithium, and atypical antipsychotics help with managing bipolar disorder symptoms. Medications such as buprenorphine and methadone are also used to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
Lifestyle Changes
We normally incorporate different lifestyle changes during teen bipolar disorder and addiction treatment for improved outcomes. Regular exercise, stress management techniques, and adequate sleep help stabilize teenagers’ moods. They can also reduce cravings and improve their overall well-being.
Family Involvement
Involving family members in teen bipolar disorder and addiction treatment enhances the teenager’s support system. It can also improve treatment outcomes. At Nexus Teen Academy, we administer family therapy for the following reasons:
To help family members address problematic communication patterns.
To help families learn more about their teenagers’ conditions.
To improve familial patterns and dynamics.
Risks of Untreated Co-Occurring Conditions
If left untreated, co-occurring conditions with teen bipolar disorders may lead to the following risks:
Worsening of symptoms. Failure to treat co-occurring conditions with teen bipolar disorder may lead to more frequent and severe mood episodes.
Poor prognosis for bipolar disorder. This may result in increased relapse risks, long-term disability, and hospitalization.
Impaired functioning. Untreated co-occurring substance use can lead to impaired cognitive and daily functioning.
Reduced independence and quality of life.
Increased risk of self-harm and suicide/ suicidal ideation.
Increased healthcare costs. Such costs may be attributed to potential emergency room visits, related complications, and frequent hospitalization.
Legal and behavioral consequences. These include aggressive behaviors and drug-related offenses.
Untreated substance abuse disorder may also interfere with the effectiveness of bipolar disorder treatment. Treatment professionals may experience a difficult time stabilizing the teenager.
Conclusion
Co-occurring teen bipolar disorder and addiction can be challenging to treat or manage. However, with adequate support and guidance, your teenager can manage both conditions relatively well. They can also live a safer and happier life. Since teen bipolar disorder may lead to self-medication with substances, it is important to equip your teen with healthy coping mechanisms and strategies.
It’s also advisable to explore professional help and intervention. At Nexus Teen Academy, we offer professional assessment, dual disorder treatment, pharmacological interventions, integrated treatment plans, and a range of psychotherapies to help teens manage co-occurring bipolar and substance use disorders. Feel free to contact us for tailored treatment and support.
Dual diagnosis refers to the co-occurrence of teen mental health and substance abuse disorders. For example, teenagers with bipolar disorder may struggle with alcohol, cocaine, or marijuana addiction.
Diagnosing co-occurring disorders in teens may be challenging due to the following reasons:
Normal teen behaviors may be difficult to differentiate from the symptoms of co-occurring disorders.
Substance abuse and mental health disorder symptoms may overlap.
Symptoms may manifest differently in teenagers compared to adults.
The stigma surrounding mental health and substance abuse disorders may discourage teenagers from seeking help. Some may also avoid disclosing their symptoms.
Teens may deny or resist the presence of underlying issues.
Here is how we treat dual disorders at Nexus Teen Academy:
Conducting thorough assessments and evaluations to diagnose both disorders. We usually consider the teenager’s history, symptoms, and substance abuse patterns when conducting diagnoses.
Developing integrated, personalized treatment plans tailored to both conditions. We treat the disorders concurrently instead of separately.
Prescribing medications for psychiatric symptoms. We consider potential interactions when prescribing medications and monitor for side effects.
Administering evidence-based therapies. This helps address underlying issues and promote behavioral change. Common evidence-based therapies include dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and motivational interviewing.
Educating teens and families about their dual disorders, coping strategies, and relapse prevention techniques.
Administering family therapy, psychoeducation, and support sessions. These allow us to involve family members in the treatment process.
Developing comprehensive aftercare plans for long-term recovery and relapse prevention. Our aftercare plans comprise medication management, support groups, and ongoing therapy.
Yes. Teenagers can recover from dual diagnoses with the right treatment and interventions. This requires early detection, a comprehensive treatment plan, and a multidisciplinary approach. Necessary interventions include tailored therapies, behavioral support, medication management, and coping skill development.
Here are the roles of the family unit in teen bipolar disorder and addiction treatment:
To offer emotional support, encouragement, and understanding during the treatment process.
To help with treatment monitoring. They should collaborate with the treatment team to observe changes in behaviors, mood swings, and substance abuse patterns.
To offer accurate information and insights to treatment professionals. This promotes effective diagnosis and treatment planning.
To help the teenager adhere to prescribed medications. They also watch out for adverse side effects.
To offer immediate support during crises or emergencies.
To provide a safe space for teenagers to discuss their challenges, treatment progress, and concerns.
To regularly engage in family therapy and psychoeducation sessions.
To identify and address potential triggers, implement effective coping strategies, and offer ongoing encouragement and reinforcement.
To prevent enabling behaviors and promote accountability.
Here is how you can support a teenager with dual diagnosis:
Educate yourself about their conditions. This will help you understand their challenges better.
Create a safe, open, and non-judgmental space. Such an environment allows them to discuss their feelings, struggles, and experiences.
Encourage them to seek professional help from qualified specialists.
Help them adhere to the treatment plan.
Encourage and help them develop and practice healthy coping strategies. These include hobbies, mindfulness, exercise, and positive social activities.
Set and enforce clear boundaries and expectations regarding substance abuse and behavior.
Regularly attend family therapy sessions. Such sessions can help you address communication breakdowns and strengthen relationships.
Remember to prioritize your mental health as you support your teenager. Seek support from other parents and support groups, engage in a hobby or activities you enjoy, and practice relaxation and stress-management techniques.
At Nexus Teen Academy, we are committed to helping teens and family members overcome different challenges. These include mental health and substance abuse disorders. We use dual diagnosis programs, integrated treatment approaches, and lifestyle adjustments to treat dual disorders.
Executive Director Hannah Carr-Unquera, LPC and Nexus Teen Academy
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Teen Bipolar Disorder & Addiction – Navigating Dual Diagnosis (understanding co-occurring conditions)
FACT CHECKED
The Nexus Teen Academy editorial and clinical team is dedicated to providing informative and accurate content to help families who are struggling with adolescent behavioral health problems. The editorial team works directly with the clinical team to ensure information is accurate and up-to-date.
To do this, our team uses the following editorial guidelines:
Clinically reviewed by Executive Director Hannah Carr-Unquera, LPC
Executive Director Hannah Carr-Unquera, LPC
Hannah graduated from Arizona State University with her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona. She began her work as a therapist 12 years ago in South Phoenix with an intensive outpatient program for teens and their families. She joined Nexus in the residential program as the clinical director, eventually being promoted to the executive director, creating and building the clinical program structure and a strong culture focused on redirecting the trajectory of young lives.
Published By Nexus Teen Academy
Nexus Teen Academy
The Nexus Teen Academy Editorial Staff is composed of writers, editors, and clinical reviewers with many years of experience writing about mental health and behavioral health treatment. Our team utilizes peer-reviewed, clinical studies from sources like SAMHSA to ensure we provide the most accurate and current information.
Published On May 1, 2024
Table of Contents
Did you know that the rate of substance use disorder in individuals with bipolar disorder ranges from 35-60%? Without the right help and support, teens with bipolar disorder may turn to drugs and other substances to alleviate or cope with intense symptoms. Seeking professional support as early as possible may prevent such outcomes.
Common co-occurring conditions with teen bipolar disorder include drug addiction, alcohol addiction, and self-harm. Note from the onset that the signs and symptoms of drug addiction and bipolar disorder may overlap. Such overlaps may cause diagnostic and treatment challenges, as explored in this article.
Nexus Teen Academy, Arizona’s trusted substance abuse treatment center for teens, understands the challenges faced by teens with bipolar disorder. Besides teen drug addiction treatment, we offer support interventions and resources for such teens and their families. In this article, we will discuss teen bipolar disorder and addiction and equip you with strategies for navigating a resulting dual diagnosis. Join us as one of our experts shares useful insights regarding teen bipolar disorder and addiction.
Understanding Dual Diagnosis
As the name suggests, teens with dual diagnoses have co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. They may turn to alcohol, drugs, and illicit substances owing to the challenges associated with their bipolar condition. This may lead to drug dependency and, ultimately, a substance use disorder. Unfortunately, when mental health and substance abuse disorders co-occur, teenager’s lives are usually disrupted significantly. They may end up self-harming or engaging in risky behaviors. Relationship issues and academic struggles are also common in such teens.
Families are not also spared. They may experience intense emotional distress, stigma, financial strain, helplessness, and feelings of guilt due to their teen’s dual diagnosis. What may drive a teenager with bipolar disorder to experiment with drugs? Let’s find out more.
The Link Between Teen Bipolar Disorder and Addiction
Bipolar disorder is a complicated condition that can leave your teenager feeling out of control. They may reach for any means that may offer some relief of their symptoms. Here is how bipolar disorder can lead to substance abuse issues in teens:
Note that substance use may worsen a teenager’s mood swings and trigger manic or depressive episodes. This may, unfortunately, lead to a cycle of drug use and deteriorating mental health.
Navigating the Overlap of Teen Bipolar & Addiction
As we mentioned, the symptoms of bipolar disorder and addiction can overlap. This can cause complications in diagnosis and treatment. Here are a few scenarios that show an overlap:
Common Scenarios Where Bipolar Disorder and Addiction Symptoms May Overlap:
Nexus Teen Academy's Approach to Professional Assessment
At Nexus Teen Academy, we use a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to treat dual disorders. This normally involves the expertise of different professionals. These may include social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other addiction and mental health professionals. We also use various techniques to ensure accurate diagnoses. These range from psychological testing or psychiatric interviews to medical examinations.
Additionally, we collaborate with parents and schools to gather the necessary information required for a correct diagnosis. Teenagers’ unique developmental, familial, and social factors also play an important role during assessment and diagnosis.
Importance of Professional Assessment
If you suspect your teen may be using substances on top of their bipolar disorder diagnosis, it is important to get professional assistance as soon as possible. Treatment professionals can support both you and your teen. They can also address your teen’s behaviors before long-term consequences are experienced. Here are some of the benefits associated with professional assessment of teen dual disorders:
Professional assessment also plays an important role in formulating long-term dual disorder management plans.
Challenges of Dual Diagnosis
A few challenges associated with dual diagnosis include:
Treatment Strategies for Teen Bipolar & Addiction
If these conditions do co-occur, then the treatment needs to be tailored to match your teen’s and their specific experience. These treatment plans are based on evidence-based treatment modalities and ensure that both conditions are treated in the best manner possible. Here are the common treatment strategies used to address co-occurring bipolar disorder and substance use disorders:
Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs
At Nexus Teen Academy, we offer a dual-diagnosis treatment program that addresses both bipolar disorder and addiction simultaneously. We employ a team of professionals during treatment. These include addiction counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. Such professionals collaborate and prepare personalized treatment plans based on the teenager’s conditions and needs.
Integrated Treatment Approaches
Integrated treatment approaches combine mental health and addiction treatment interventions. They often encompass the following:
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy helps bipolar teens with co-occurring disorders understand the relationship between their addictive behaviors and bipolar disorder symptoms. It also helps them develop coping skills and address underlying issues. Common psychotherapy techniques used in dual disorder treatment include:
Medication Management
Treatment professionals often prescribe medications when treating bipolar disorder and other co-occurring conditions. Mood stabilizers such as anticonvulsants, lithium, and atypical antipsychotics help with managing bipolar disorder symptoms. Medications such as buprenorphine and methadone are also used to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
Lifestyle Changes
We normally incorporate different lifestyle changes during teen bipolar disorder and addiction treatment for improved outcomes. Regular exercise, stress management techniques, and adequate sleep help stabilize teenagers’ moods. They can also reduce cravings and improve their overall well-being.
Family Involvement
Involving family members in teen bipolar disorder and addiction treatment enhances the teenager’s support system. It can also improve treatment outcomes. At Nexus Teen Academy, we administer family therapy for the following reasons:
Risks of Untreated Co-Occurring Conditions
If left untreated, co-occurring conditions with teen bipolar disorders may lead to the following risks:
Untreated substance abuse disorder may also interfere with the effectiveness of bipolar disorder treatment. Treatment professionals may experience a difficult time stabilizing the teenager.
Conclusion
Co-occurring teen bipolar disorder and addiction can be challenging to treat or manage. However, with adequate support and guidance, your teenager can manage both conditions relatively well. They can also live a safer and happier life. Since teen bipolar disorder may lead to self-medication with substances, it is important to equip your teen with healthy coping mechanisms and strategies.
It’s also advisable to explore professional help and intervention. At Nexus Teen Academy, we offer professional assessment, dual disorder treatment, pharmacological interventions, integrated treatment plans, and a range of psychotherapies to help teens manage co-occurring bipolar and substance use disorders. Feel free to contact us for tailored treatment and support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dual diagnosis refers to the co-occurrence of teen mental health and substance abuse disorders. For example, teenagers with bipolar disorder may struggle with alcohol, cocaine, or marijuana addiction.
Here is why diagnosing co-occurring conditions early enough is important:
Diagnosing co-occurring disorders in teens may be challenging due to the following reasons:
Here is how we treat dual disorders at Nexus Teen Academy:
Yes. Teenagers can recover from dual diagnoses with the right treatment and interventions. This requires early detection, a comprehensive treatment plan, and a multidisciplinary approach. Necessary interventions include tailored therapies, behavioral support, medication management, and coping skill development.
Here are the roles of the family unit in teen bipolar disorder and addiction treatment:
Here is how you can support a teenager with dual diagnosis:
Remember to prioritize your mental health as you support your teenager. Seek support from other parents and support groups, engage in a hobby or activities you enjoy, and practice relaxation and stress-management techniques.
At Nexus Teen Academy, we are committed to helping teens and family members overcome different challenges. These include mental health and substance abuse disorders. We use dual diagnosis programs, integrated treatment approaches, and lifestyle adjustments to treat dual disorders.