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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Bipolar and Alcohol Disorder
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Bipolar and Alcohol Disorder
by annielaurie, Jul 20, 2003 12:00AM
I am in a relationship with a 51 year old male with bipolar and alcohol disorder. Dual diagnoses? I have known him for 2 years and it has been an experience.I never even heard of bipolar before I meet him. Although he is a really kind and sweet person I have seen him a little out of control twice. And I believe it was the beer instead of biploar. He has told me how he has lived on the streets and in shelters in the past and I see how that can be. My question is about the poor medical treatment he has had all of these years. Since I have known him he has changed doctors and medicines several times. And to hear him( NONE )of them work. He MOST of the time will stay on a medicine but I just can't see where it helps much because of the beer drinking he does every day. He don't get falling down drunk or nothing like that and I do understand that the alcohol was used to self medicate himself But, I see it killing him. He went 2 weeks without much food at all only beer. He has a Lawyer now and hopefully will have some kind of insurance in the near future. But, it is hard to get help without it. He was never able to do it on his own. After calling and almost begging I got him in a detox for 5 days which I know is not enough he needs and wants help but can't get any. If he goes to the emergency room he has to stay a week or 2 in a small padded room that looks like a jail cell until there is a bed for him at a mental hospital up the road a ways. It is the only place I suppose that will take someone in he case. About 5 months ago he started back going to a local Mental Health Facility and they were giving him Lexipro $ Zyprexa and he didn't do to well on it.He has tried a lot of different meds. Now it is serzon again. Along with a prescription called Neurontin that hasn't been filled yet. Along with his beer. I read where Topiramate is good to help stop the craving for alcohol. Is this true? Or would the Neurontin do good for him as well? The doctor at the mental hospital seems a little upset with him now because of the alcohol that he must not of known about. I went to see the doctor with him for my 1st time the other day and I could tell that my SO had not told the truth about his beer drinking to his doctor. I would really like to see him feel better because he is so depressed most all the time. I am afraid to make a big stink about the alcohol because I am afraid they will stop treating him for his bipolar. Doctors don't seem to treat the two together. I know that he has to be the one to stop drinking and I know he wants to. But he needs help quiting. It is harder for him than it would be for the person without mental illness.I have told him if he don't quit he has to go. But I give in and let him come back. Is that a mistake? I just can't stand the thought of him dying on the street and I know at this point he would. I need help so I can get help for him. Is serzone $ neurontin good together for bipolar.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Jul 21, 2003 12:00AM
, Jul 21, 2003 12:00AM
Neurontin and Topiramate and Lithium are good for bipolar, but they are all bad when taken along with alchohol. There is a great danger of convulsions when he drinks that much and takes these kind of powerful drugs. I know the problem you are having and how difficult it is but only AA or detox and rehab. will make any difference and you are going to have to continue to work the system to get him into some sort of community rehab. program.
Member Comments (1)
by just because, Oct 30, 2003 12:00AM
I have just discovered the same of my new friend. How can I help him. I live in another country. He is such a beautiful person and is so aware of what is happening. What are the best ways to recover when taking depokate and drinking alcohol? I truly worry fo rhim, is costing me a great deal by way of telephone calls and I seriously am not one to continuously call someone - i Just worry when I read items like i have here.
