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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Bipolar Disorder And Drug Addiction Be Managed?

My son is an addict and bipolar. He recently stopped all his meds and went manic for 3 weeks. Quit his job bought an expensive car, infidelity. A family member called his psychiatrist and he was prescribed Abilify. My son is 37 and now his life is in shambles.
Fri, 13 Jul 2018
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Addiction and Bipolar are two different diagnosis...
let's see about addiction first - which substance addiction is it??
Addiction a disease, with very good treatment options and in general Divalproate sodium also contributes a little in reducing addiction​ by actually reducing the impulsivity and if your is addicted to alcohol, medications like acamprosate, naltrexone, topiramate etc are available which definitely helps in reducing the alcohol intake...

and for Bipolar Lithium and Divalproate sodium acts well...
aripiprazole is generally preferred when there is risk of obesity, Diabetes, cardicac disorders etc and it might not be as effective as that of divalproex sodium or lithium...
Either Divalproate sodium alone or in combination of any of the anti craving drugs will definitely help in reducing the addiction and also controlling bipolar disorder...
Attimes intake of alcohol or any other substances which causes addiction may also shift from normalcy to Mania... So, deaddiction treatment is a must...
Hope I answered your query and feel free to ask any further
Thank you...
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How Can Bipolar Disorder And Drug Addiction Be Managed?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Addiction and Bipolar are two different diagnosis... let s see about addiction first - which substance addiction is it?? Addiction a disease, with very good treatment options and in general Divalproate sodium also contributes a little in reducing addiction​ by actually reducing the impulsivity and if your is addicted to alcohol, medications like acamprosate, naltrexone, topiramate etc are available which definitely helps in reducing the alcohol intake... and for Bipolar Lithium and Divalproate sodium acts well... aripiprazole is generally preferred when there is risk of obesity, Diabetes, cardicac disorders etc and it might not be as effective as that of divalproex sodium or lithium... Either Divalproate sodium alone or in combination of any of the anti craving drugs will definitely help in reducing the addiction and also controlling bipolar disorder... Attimes intake of alcohol or any other substances which causes addiction may also shift from normalcy to Mania... So, deaddiction treatment is a must... Hope I answered your query and feel free to ask any further Thank you...