There are converging lines of evidence demonstrating that substance use disorders are overrepresented in individuals with bipolar disorder. Compared to patients with other types of psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, panic disorder, major depression, and dysthymia, subjects with bipolar I and bipolar II disorder were reported to have the highest lifetime rates of alcohol or substance use disorders (ASUD) (1). The ECA Study reported a 60.7% lifetime prevalence rate for substance use disorders in persons with bipolar I disorder; alcohol was the most common substance abused (1). Individuals with bipolar I and bipolar II disorders had the highest lifetime prevalence rate of alcohol abuse or dependence (46.2 and 39.2%, respectively).
