Comorbid substance abuse affects treatment for bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a chronic, relapsing, psychiatric disorder that is difficult to manage even without comorbidities. The addition of substance abuse clearly affects the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder. This article has examined how substance abuse is an key component of the clinical pathology of this disorder due to its effects on diagnosis, course of illness, and likelihood of medical comorbidities. Promising therapies are beginning to emerge, however, the problems that make this population difficulty to treat also make them unpopular for research protocols. There is a clear-cut societal need for more evidence-based treatment options for this population.