Struggling with drugs or alcohol while also living with bipolar disorder can make life feel isolating, overwhelming, and exhausting. What might have started as a way to try to cope with the high highs and low lows can quickly turn into addiction. But there is hope. Treatment for addiction and co-occurring bipolar disorder at Spring Grove Recovery is compassionate and evidence-based. You'll get care from non-judgmental professionals using proven methods at our center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Understanding co-occurring bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder defined by intense changes in mood, energy, and daily functioning. Mood episodes can last for days or weeks and can deeply impact your routine and relationships.
Types of bipolar disorder
- Bipolar I: Marked by at least one episode of full mania, possibly alongside depressive or hypomanic episodes.
- Bipolar II: Characterized by at least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode, but no full mania.
- Cyclothymic disorder: Involves many periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms that don't meet the full criteria for manic or major depressive episodes.
Key terms to know
- Manic episodes (mania): Involve increased energy, racing thoughts, and heightened emotional states. Sometimes, it causes impulsive, risky behavior or little need for sleep. Some people experience psychosis (a break from reality) during manic episodes.
- Hypomanic episodes: A less severe form of mania, where you may feel highly productive or upbeat without the severe disruptions caused by full mania.
- Depressive episodes: Significant sadness, low motivation, loss of interest in activities you once loved, and feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness.
Differences between bipolar disorder types
The key differences between the types of bipolar disorder are in the intensity and duration of mood episodes. Treatment for each type varies, too. All three types are typically managed with both medication and talk therapy. Bipolar I is more likely to include treatment to manage manic episodes, since other types don't have such severe mania symptoms.
The risks of misdiagnosis
Bipolar disorder can be mistaken for anxiety, major depression, or even just a consequence of addiction. Substance use can mask bipolar disorder symptoms, making getting an accurate diagnosis more challenging. Without an accurate diagnosis or treatment, bipolar disorder can lead to confusion, frustration, and cycles of sobriety and relapse.
How bipolar disorder and addiction are connected
Bipolar disorder and substance use disorders often occur together. Increased impulsivity can lead to risky behaviors, like substance use. Some people self-medicate their depression, or even the stress caused by fluctuating mood episodes. When someone uses drugs or alcohol as the way they cope, it becomes the only reliable way to feel better. Over time, they'll need higher doses to get the same effects, and addiction can quickly set in.
Substance use can also influence the onset, severity, and treatment of mood episodes, sometimes making it difficult to separate the effects of drugs or alcohol from those of bipolar disorder.
Signs you might have co-occurring bipolar disorder
- Engaging in risky behaviors or decision-making during substance use
- Using substances to manage intense emotional states or sleep disruptions
- Experiencing repeated financial, legal, or relationship struggles connected to impulsive actions during mood swings
- Noticing patterns of heavy substance use that seem tied to fluctuations in mood
You are not alone—and help is available, always. Reach out to Spring Grove Recovery 24/7.
Why integrated treatment matters
Recovery means true healing. Getting integrated treatment for both addiction and co-occurring bipolar disorder can improve your well-being and reduce your risk of relapse. You'll have the knowledge and tools you need to take care of your mental health without turning to drugs or alcohol.
We use evidence-based therapies at Spring Grove Recovery in Colorado Springs to address both conditions. Our team will empower you with skills for stability, emotional wellness, and sobriety.
Research has shown that integrated treatment is better than disconnected treatment for addiction or bipolar disorder. It greatly improves mood stability, adherence to medication use, and success with sober living, while also reducing hospitalizations.
Skills and therapies for recovery
Our licensed professionals use a mix of evidence-based therapies and supportive strategies, including:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) & dialectical behavior therapy (DBT):
Learn to recognize and change patterns that feed depression, mania, or substance cravings, and develop tools for coping with emotional distress.
Relapse prevention & psychoeducation:
Understand your unique triggers, early warning signs, and cravings. With education and support, you’ll figure out how to prevent setbacks.
Healthy routines:
Healthy sleep routines, nutrition, exercise, and medication management all support stability. We'll help you create routines that support long-term wellness.
Peer and group support:
You'll never have to walk this path alone. Find connection and hope with others who share similar experiences.
Our approach to co-occurring bipolar disorder treatment
Your journey forward is unique, and your treatment should be specific to your needs. Our approach respects your story, needs, and goals. Plus, our Colorado Springs center is a safe space where you can grow and spark lasting change.
Your care experience
- Thorough psychiatric evaluation: We start by understanding your history so we can make sure your treatment plan addresses you as a whole person.
- Personalized treatment planning: From detox through residential care, your care plan sets clear, achievable goals for both mood and sobriety.
- Expert, compassionate team: Psychiatric providers, licensed therapists, nurses, and care managers all work together to support you at every step.
- Simple admissions & insurance help: Our team walks you through every detail, from admissions paperwork to insurance verification, including Colorado Medicaid and most major plans.
Your stay at Spring Grove Recovery
We offer two levels of care at Spring Grove Recovery, including medical detox and residential care. Detox is an opportunity for you to stop using and get stable, usually lasting around a week. Residential treatment is where you'll do the deeper work with our team, so your recovery lasts; most people spend around 30 days in residential.
During your time at our Colorado Springs center, you’ll work closely with a supportive team that adapts treatment as you progress. When it’s time for discharge, we create a detailed aftercare plan that connects you with continued support, so you can take the right next steps.
Start bipolar disorder treatment at Spring Grove Recovery
Even when the road is tough to navigate, we'll be right by your side. Our team at Spring Grove Recovery in Colorado Springs is dedicated to helping people build resilience and regain control through integrated, evidence-based treatment for co-occurring bipolar disorder and addiction.
If you have questions or are ready to start, our team is here 24/7. Contact Spring Grove Recovery and discover your next step toward a healthier future.
Frequently asked questions
Bipolar I includes at least one episode of full mania, while bipolar II involves less severe hypomania and at least one major depressive episode. Both types can profoundly impact your life and benefit from integrated treatment.
Every person’s needs are different, so treatment length varies. Most residential stays at Spring Grove Recovery last about 30 days.
Yes. Bipolar disorder commonly overlaps with other mental health conditions. Integrated treatment starts with a comprehensive assessment that ensures you receive care for all co-occurring issues—including bipolar disorder, anxiety, or ADHD.
Ambivalence, or having conflicting thoughts about stopping, is perfectly normal. Our compassionate team uses motivational interviewing to help you explore your readiness and hope for change in a judgment-free environment. We’ll meet you where you are and guide you forward.
