Can long term drug (cocaine) and alcohol abuse cause bipolar disorder or bipolar - like behavior?

Answer 1

It sure can.

Answer 2

I know the opposite is very true.. bipolar people have a tendency to self medicate themselves with drugs and booze to help them cope with an illness of the mind they can not accept.. It is very common for bipolar people to be in rehab or drug counseling before their doctor will begin administering medication for the illness.. There are some really bad side effects to medication when street drugs get mixed in.
To answer your question.. no, I don't think so.. chances are they were bipolar BEFORE their drug use began.. and this behavior was merely a coping mechanism. But rapid withdrawal from street drugs would probably screw up the mind almost as much as any non fatal overdose.
Hope this helps :)

Answer 3

Have you been diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist? If you have not, be careful about placing such a label on yourself. A bipolar disorder is a mood disorder in which a person cycles between periods of mania (excessive action, productivity and racing thoughts, grandiosity) and depression. When a bipolar disorder is diagnosed by a psychologist, they often include what the most recent episode is (manic or depressive). There is medication for this disorder. Most people do not complain about the manic episodes, because they are enjoyable (but also dangerous).

Answer 4

Emotional highs and lows are part of life for everyone. But for someone with bipolar disorder, these ups and downs can be so extreme they can interfere with daily life. Sometimes they can even be dangerous.

One day a person with bipolar disorder may feel so depressed that they can't get out of bed. Work may seem impossible.

On another day that person may feel great, full of endless energy and creativity. But other people might think that their actions are reckless and out of control.

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong medical condition that can be confusing and unpredictable, but it's nothing to be embarrassed about. Learning more about bipolar disorder can be helpful in managing this medical illness.


Scientists don’t really know what causes bipolar disorder. They do believe that genetics plays a role. For instance, more than two thirds of people with bipolar disorder also have a relative with the same condition or some other mood disorder. But genetics alone does not cause someone to develop bipolar disorder. We don’t yet know what those other things are.

This is what we do know about bipolar disorder:

Bipolar disorder most commonly starts in teenagers and young adults. But it can also first occur in children and older adults. Bipolar disorder equally affects people of all races and ethnic groups. Special chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters, may be involved in the disease. If the levels of these chemicals are out of balance, it may be harder for brain cells to work normally.

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Bipolar disorder may be related to problems with hormone levels. For instance, experts have noticed a link between thyroid hormone levels and bipolar disorder. Certain parts of the brain may have a different size or shape in people with bipolar disorder. The changes could be a cause or symptom of the condition. In some cases, other illnesses may play a role in bipolar disorder.

Answer 5

Bipolar sometimes can lead to drug use. I have found that most of the Bipolar people I deal with are cocaine addicts. so for some I would say the bipolar comes first.

Answer 6

I have bp. Cocaine and alcohol do not cause it. However, they do exacerbate the tendencies towards extreme moods. Cocaine makes you extremely up and talkative and booze makes me sink into intolerable depressions. A very little booze also helps to calm a manic mind.

Also, bipolar disorder is most likely inherited.

Answer 7

I'm not a doctor so I dont' know for sure, but I am a recovering addict (3 1/2 years clean, whoo hoo!) from many years of meth use and I was just recently in a residential program and seeing all the people there at that program, I would say the answer to that is yes. I believe so. I don't KNOW so, but I do belive that it could be true, very much so. :o)

Answer 8

yes but after a while it would subside as you are in a state of arrested development all the time you were using you never grew up ect so you are a bundle of tension nerves and emotions but If you are in fact ill then it is possible that you were self medicating

Answer 9

Yes! I worked with mentally ill patients, and one inpaticular was like he was because he went on a trip and never came back!!!

Answer 10

yes

Answer 11

never heard of that one