Music sensation Honey Singh recently opened up about his struggles with bipolar disorder. He struggled with this mental health condition for six years. Renowned for his colourful persona and energetic live performances, Honey Singh shocked a lot of people when he disclosed his battles with bipolar disorder and said that alcohol and hash triggered this illness. In an interaction, he mentioned that he had suspicious and psychotic thoughts that drove him crazy. I had 30,000 thoughts in my head within 30 seconds. I couldn’t get out of my house for 2.5 years and couldn’t get out of my room for 1.5 years. I stopped talking to anyone. I was so scared that I used to take a bath with the bathroom door ajar. This is a pathetic condition and this is what excessive alcohol and hash can do to you,” he said.

How Does Alcohol And Hash Contribute To Bipolar Disorder?Dr Gorav Gupta, CEO and Senior Psychiatrist, Tulasi Healthcare shares that one well-established risk factor for getting or worsening bipolar disorder is substance addiction. Alcohol and hash, which is a condensed form of cannabis, can both have significant impacts on the brain that might cause or worsen bipolar illness symptoms.

Dr Gorav explains that similar to other cannabis products, hash interacts with the system known as the endocannabinoid system in the brain, which is involved in mood, stress, and memory regulation. Cannabis is frequently used for its relaxing benefits, but for those who are bipolar disorder-prone or have been diagnosed with the disease, it can have the opposite effect.

- Manic Episodes: For those suffering from bipolar disorder, hash might cause manic episodes. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the psychoactive ingredient in the hash, can activate specific brain regions, which may cause elevated mood, agitation, and impulsive behaviour—all signs of manic episodes.

- Depressed Episodes: Conversely, long-term hash use may result in depressed episodes. After the first euphoric effects of THC, there may be a "crash" during which the user experiences increased anxiety or depression. This may make bipolar disorder's depressed phase worse.

Dr Gorav explains alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, and people with bipolar disorder may experience major side effects if they consume it.

- Alcohol's ability to upset the delicate chemical balance in the brain can cause unpredictable mood swings. Alcohol can exacerbate mood instability in bipolar disorder sufferers by raising their highs and lowering their lows.

- Impaired Self-Control and Judgment: People who are manic may already have trouble controlling their impulsive behaviour. Alcohol can also weaken judgment and self-control, which can lead to dangerous activities that could have serious repercussions, such as making the sickness worse.

- Alcohol's depressing characteristics can exacerbate depression symptoms, making it more difficult for sufferers to control their illness. A vicious cycle of drinking to get rid of depression symptoms only to discover that the drinking makes them worse can also result from long-term alcohol abuse.

Effective Treatment Options

Dr Gorav shares people with bipolar disorder and those close to them must understand how alcohol and hash affect each other. Understanding the dangers of substance use in addition to receiving early detection and treatment for bipolar disorder can greatly improve the management of the illness.

1. Getting Professional Assistance: It's critical to get professional assistance if a person with bipolar disorder uses alcohol or hash. Medication, counselling, and lifestyle modifications may all be part of the treatment to control the symptoms and lower the likelihood of drug-induced episodes.

2. Support Relationships: Establishing a robust network of loved ones, friends, and mental health specialists is essential for assisting people in managing the difficulties associated with bipolar disorder.

3. Education and Prevention: Spreading knowledge about the dangers of drug use among those at risk for or already diagnosed with bipolar illness can help delay the onset of severe symptoms and encourage the development of healthy coping strategies.

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