Women Alcoholics & Bipolar Disorder

People with bipolar disorder can sometimes turn to alcohol as a form of self-medication. Although it may seem like it is helping at first, alcoholism actually makes the situation a lot worse. Women with bipolar disorder who turn to alcohol are at greater risk for serious complications than men with the same disorder.

Frequency

• Women with bipolar disorder are far more likely to become alcoholics than men with bipolar disorder. According to an article in Psychology Today, women with bipolar disorder are seven times more likely to become alcoholic than other women, while bipolar men are only three times more likely than other men. This may be a result of the fact that women are already more likely than men to become alcoholics.

Promiscuity

• Women who have been drinking may begin acting promiscuous as a result of impaired judgment associated with alcohol. In addition, women with bipolar disorder may show signs of promiscuity during mania. As a result, women alcoholics who are also bipolar tend to engage in risky sexual behavior more often than other women. Not only are they putting themselves at risk for sexually transmitted disease and unplanned pregnancy, but they are also in danger of being sexually assaulted.

Physical Abuse

• Alcoholism and bipolar disorder both put women at greater risk of being physically abused by their significant other. While drunk, a woman alcoholic puts herself at risk. In addition, while depressed, feelings of worthlessness may cause bipolar women to enter or stay in an abusive relationship, feeling that they are unworthy or unable to find anything better. Unfortunately this means that women alcoholics with bipolar disorder are at a higher risk for abuse.

Mental Health

• Alcohol can cause permanent damage, and shrinkage in the brain when abused. Women suffer this damage more often and more quickly than men. Alcohol also worsens the symptoms of bipolar disorder and interferes with treatment. Since there is already damage to the brain from the bipolar disorder, the damage from long-term alcohol use can have serious consequences for the bipolar woman, including irreparable brain damage, severe mood swings and psychosis.

Treatment

• Usually alcoholism associated with bipolar disorder can be addressed by treating the bipolar disorder itself since the alcoholism is a symptom of the disorder. Medication specifically helps reduce the need to drink. Since alcohol interferes with most bipolar medications, it is important that the drinking stops before starting any medications. Women alcoholics can also benefit from visiting a rehab center or outpatient alcohol recovery program to help release the hold that alcohol has on them.