Journal Home
Search for

Volume 27, Issue 4, Pages 307-312 (December 2004)


View previous. 5 of 11 View next.

Treating patients with bipolar disorder and substance dependence: Lessons learned

Roger D. Weiss, M.D.Corresponding Author Informationemail address

Received 16 November 2003; received in revised form 23 August 2004; accepted 24 September 2004.

Abstract 

Although bipolar disorder is the Axis I psychiatric disorder associated with the highest rate of co-occurring substance use disorders, little research has focused on treatments specifically designed for these patients. The author and his colleagues have developed and studied Integrated Group Therapy (IGT) for this population. This paper describes common themes that have emerged in carrying out IGT for patients with bipolar disorder and substance dependence. These include the strong emphasis on depression, as opposed to mania; the predominance of hopelessness; specific patterns of medication noncompliance; and the implications of patients’ labeling their substance use as self-medication. Therapeutic aspects involved in addressing these themes are discussed

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478; Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA

Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. McLean Hospital, 115 Mill Street, Belmont, MA 02478, USA. Tel.: +1 617 855 2242; fax: +1 617 855 2699

PII: S0740-5472(04)00118-7

doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2004.10.001


View previous. 5 of 11 View next.