Cocaine and Bipolar Disorder

What is a Dual Diagnosis?

For many people who are abusing cocaine, the connection between cocaine and bipolar disorder is something they deal with every day.

In fact, many people who use cocaine have already been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

When someone has both a mental illness and a drug addiction, this is called a dual diagnosis.

People with a dual diagnosis find it especially challenging to overcome their addiction because of how drugs affect the brain’s activity.

However, having both an addiction to cocaine and bipolar disorder can affect your physical health and further complicate your mental health.

Understanding Cocaine

Cocaine is an illegal, extremely addictive drug made from coca plant leaves. These leaves are processed multiple times using gasoline until reduced to small white rocks, called crack cocaine. The rocks are processed even further into a white powder, which is what most people think of when they hear the word “cocaine.” The powder is inhaled through the nose or dissolved in water and injected.

On the other hand, crack cocaine is smoked with a small glass pipe.

No matter how cocaine is ingested, it is hazardous to your health.

Effects and Abuse of Cocaine

One reason that cocaine addiction generally leads to a dual diagnosis is because it is a stimulant.

These types of drugs have significant effects on both your brain and your body. Cocaine speeds up functions in your body, which makes you feel very energetic, excited, and happy. It also makes your brain release a flood of dopamine, which is a chemical that is responsible for making you feel happy.

However, this extreme amount of dopamine leads to adverse side effects, including:

• A rush of euphoria and energy
• Less inhibitions, similar to what you feel when you are drunk
• Feeling that your thinking is much clearer than normal
• A sense that you are more in control of things around you
• More self-confidence
• A desire to be more social

Cocaine stays in your system for a limited amount of time. People who snort or smoke cocaine experience this high for less than 30 minutes. As someone continues to abuse cocaine, they may start to inject the substance because the high lasts longer when someone uses cocaine this way.

While snorting or smoking cocaine is dangerous, injecting is even more so. It comes with an increased risk of developing major health problems and an increased risk of becoming addicted.

Cocaine and Your Body

Cocaine does not just affect your energy and mood. It also affects certain areas of your body and how your organs work. It can cause an irregular or fast heartbeat, which puts extra strain on your heart and high blood pressure. Many people also experience a reduced appetite, which can lead to extreme weight loss.

Other effects include high body temperature, problems with your kidneys, breathing, and even stroke.

People who inject cocaine are at risk of additional health problems, including HIV or hepatitis from sharing needles, collapsed veins or scarring from frequent injections, and serious skin or muscle infections from dirty needles. People with untreated hepatitis can end up with permanent liver damage that can even lead to death.

The longer you use cocaine, the higher your risk of experiencing these serious health effects.

Cocaine and Bipolar Disorder

Cocaine and bipolar disorder often go hand-in-hand because of how having a bipolar disorder affects a person.

People with bipolar disorder experience periods of very low moods or depression, leading them to use cocaine to improve their mood and energy levels. But, someone with bipolar disorder is more likely to become addicted to cocaine because they quickly become dependent on the drug to feel happy.

When that person stops using cocaine, a depressed mood ends up even worse than before.

The longer someone with bipolar disorder abuses cocaine, the less effective it will be at boosting your mood. Instead, many people with bipolar disorder report feelings of paranoia, irritation, and even thoughts of suicide after abusing cocaine for an extended period of time.

Treatment

When it comes to treating co-occurring disorders, the best path to success is to simultaneously treat your addiction to cocaine and bipolar disorder.

Your treatment plan will depend on what is right for you, but typically include:

• Detox – The biggest hurdle for people with cocaine addiction is getting through withdrawal because withdrawal can have some uncomfortable and uneasy symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, shaking, tiredness, insomnia, body aches, and more. At Emerald Isle Health and Recovery, we utilize medical detox through one of our trusted partners to help ease these withdrawal symptoms and get you through detox as comfortably as possible.
• Inpatient Rehab – When it comes to treating a dual diagnosis, residential rehab is one of the most effective treatment options. This inpatient addiction treatment program allows you to stay at our facility 24/7, giving you access to around-the-clock care and support. It is usually the ideal way to ensure you stick to your treatment plan and move to an outpatient program when you are ready.
• Behavioral Therapy – A proven way to treat a co-occurring disorder is through therapy. One of the most effective types of treatment is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT helps people with a dual diagnosis see how their issues change how they think and the things that trigger their drug use.
• Medication – Many of our clients dealing with an addiction to cocaine and bipolar disorder benefit from treatment with prescription medications. There are many medications available to treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder, including mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants.

Payment Information

Do you want treatment but are worried about whether or not you can pay for it?

Our team of professionals provides free insurance verification and works with you to determine how to move forward with treatment based on your financial situation.

How to Get Help

Are you or a loved one suffering from addiction?

We understand that it can be hard giving up a long-term addiction because of cravings, triggers, and physiological symptoms. 

Our team of experts creates a customized treatment plan based on your addiction and objectives.

Our ultimate priority is to ensure you leave treatment with the right tools and resources you need to live a long-term sober lifestyle.

Start your road to recovery today with an initial consultation at Emerald Isle Health & Recovery.