Reasons for Substance Use among Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder

Abstract

We examined whether children and adolescents with Bipolar Disorder (BPD) "self-medicate" with cigarettes, alcohol, or other substances of abuse. 105 adolescents with BPD and 98 controls were comprehensively assessed with a structured psychiatric diagnostic interview for psychopathology and the Drug Use Screening Inventory (DUSI) for self-medication. 13 control (mean ± SD: 15.31 ± 1.18 years) and 27 BPD (15.30 ± 2.09 years) subjects endorsed use of one of the listed drugs in the DUSI Section A within the past year and were included in all analyses. BPD adolescents were more likely than non-mood disordered, substance-using controls to report starting to use their preferred drug for mood-altering effects. There were no differences between groups in motivation for use with respect to starting substances to sleep better or get high, or in continuing substances to change mood, sleep better, or get high. This data may contribute to increased prevention of Substance Use Disorders and to the treatment of adolescent BPD. Further studies clarifying the characteristics of self-medication are necessary.

Bipolar disorder in Asia: Illness course and contributing factors

“…Patients with BD tend to use substances for recreational purposes and their altering effects on mood (Lorberg et al, 2010). Studies from the rest of the World reveal that the prevalence of SUD comorbidity in BD range from 35% to 70% (Clodfelter Jr and McDowell, 2001;Gao et al, 2010;Goldberg et al, 1995;Oquendo et al, 2010;Quello et al, 2005;Strakowski et al, 2000).…”

Parental history of substance use disorders (SUD) and SUD in offspring: A controlled family study of bipolar disorder

“…It also means that the risk for offspring SUD imparted by offspring BPD is the same for offspring who do and do not have a parental history of SUD. This finding is of particular interest given that it was speculated that, due to deficits in self-regulation of mood 8,32 , youth with BPD would moderate that risk. Although the lack of interactions show that parental SUD does not moderate the risk for SUD imparted by BPD, our conditional analyses show that, for alcohol use, there are additive effects of parental SUD and offspring BPD.…”

Treatment Development and Feasibility Study of Family- Focused Treatment for Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder and Comorbid Substance Use Disorders

“…The concept of “self-medication” is both a frequent explanation for why adolescents use substances and has ample face validity. 35 The notion is that the adolescent is using substances to calm anxiety, improve mood, or slow down thinking. There is no doubt that alcohol does have short-term anxiety relieving properties, and some observe the same or cannabis.…”