Dr. Daniel Hall-Flavin, board certified in general psychiatry and addiction psychiatry, is a St. Louis native. He states, “Bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder, sometimes called alcoholism, often occur together. Although the association between bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder isn’t clearly understood, these factors likely play a role:
• Depression and anxiety. Some people drink to ease depression, anxiety and other symptoms of bipolar disorder. Drinking may seem to help, but in the long run it makes symptoms worse. This can lead to more drinking — a vicious cycle that’s difficult to overcome.
• Mania. This upswing from depression is usually characterized by an intensely elated (euphoric) mood and hyperactivity. It commonly causes bad judgment and lowered inhibitions, which can lead to increased alcohol use or drug abuse.”
Stephen M. Strakowski, MD; Melissa P. DelBello, MD; David E. Fleck, PhD; et al Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005;62(8):851-858. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.62.8.851
• The course of bipolar disorder is frequently complicated by alcohol abuse. In the Epidemiological Catchment Area Study, 46% of bipolar type I patients had lifetime histories of alcohol-use disorders.
Personnel Experience
What landed me in rehab in 2014, 2017 and 2019? It’s not as cut and dry as one might expect. While employed, irregardless of establishment, retail, childcare, call center, warehouse, or fast food certain stress-related situations would trigger a manic episode or depressed episode. These symptoms included, risky decisions( known to the alcoholic as the “fuck its”), lack of sleep(typically 3 to 4 hours), racing thoughts ranging from significant to ridiculous in constant swing (night and day), agitation, overly emotional association (significant feelings of empathy) to customers or co-workers, and constant clamor which was debilitating. In an attempt to shut out everything, alcohol was the sedation my mind turned to. My husband reports my bipolar mind was worse during these drunkin spells. They may have been but I still felt NOTHING.
In a depressed episode I was convinced it gave me energy and less social anxiety (I would miss several days of work while in in this state). Though alcohol is a depressant, my mind triggered the opposite.
In 2019, after a year un-medicated due to a pregnancy and post-partum depression, I sky rocketed to dellerum and the bottle. I was mandated by the Mental Health Board to Omaha for rehab.
I’m currently unemployed and almost a year sober. I attend Celebrate Recovery, Bible Study and take medication. Trust me when I say working provides more income, more social interaction but ultimately my sobriety and mental health take center stage.
Girl Interrupted 