Sex and Bipolar Subtype Association with Self-Reported Hazardous Alcohol Consumption in Bipolar Depression

Despite the high rate of co-morbid alcoholism in bipolar disorder, the relationship between mood state, sex, and alcohol consumption patterns has not been well studied. An anonymous Internet survey was conducted from August 2002 to September 2005. The survey asked participants with bipolar disorder to self-report alcohol quantity consumed when euthymic, manic, or depressed. Of 366 persons with bipolar disorder, significantly more males (38%) than females (23%) and bipolar II (31%) than bipolar I (16%) respondents self-reported consuming a hazardous amount of alcohol during depression. These preliminary findings suggest that hazardous drinking in bipolar depression is more common in men and in patients with bipolar II disorder. Further study is encouraged to assess whether this alcohol intake increase is a possible attempt at self-medication of mood symptoms or an independent co-morbid factor related to alcoholism