Teenagers with bipolar disorder are eight times more likely to abuse substances than are teens with no mood disorders, according to a new study from Harvard University.

The study also found that teens who developed bipolar symptoms during adolescence - as opposed to those who exhibited signs earlier in childhood - are the most likely to smoke, drink, and abuse drugs.

Dr. Timothy Wilens, an associate professor of psychiatry, and his colleagues followed 105 teens with bipolar disorder and 98 who had no mood disorders from age 14 into adulthood. About 34 percent of the bipolar group abused drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes, compared to only four percent in the control group.

"Bipolar disorder in adolescents is a huge risk factor for smoking and substance abuse," Dr. Wilens said. "[It is] as big a risk factor as juvenile delinquency."

He said the study indicates that more research should be done to determine if there is a "genetic switch" that activates both bipolar disorder and substance abuse during the teen years. Scientists also need to study the helpfulness of treating bipolar disorder, especially at key "intervention points," as a way to cut the risk of substance abuse, Wilens said.

This study appears in Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

Labels: bipolar, delinquency, mental_health