Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Volume 27, Issue 4 , Pages 307-312, December 2004

Treating patients with bipolar disorder and substance dependence: Lessons learned

  • Roger D. Weiss, M.D.

      Affiliations

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

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

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

Keywords: Substance abuse, Bipolar disorder, Group therapy, Addiction, Treatment

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S0740-5472(04)00118-7

doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2004.10.001

Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
Volume 27, Issue 4 , Pages 307-312, December 2004

Article Tools