Motivations for alcohol consumption among individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder

Chronic alcohol use is a detrimental component of human behavior. It affects society as a health risk and financial burden. Patients seeking treatment for bipolar disorder are often prescribed pharmaceutical drugs which have little or no research of effectiveness when consumed with alcohol. When Bipolar patients are found to be consuming alcohol, they are excluded from clinical trials and research aimed at treatment.;Uncovering reasons for use will aid treatment providers in creating and implementing a successful treatment plan to reduce alcohol consumption in a group of individuals that have (a 54% chance of developing alcoholism). Cooper, Russell, Skinner, & Windle (1992), developed the Drinking Motives Questionnaire (DMQ). The DMQ was utilized to assess 8 men and 17 women who were diagnosed with Bipolar disorder with respect to DSM diagnosis. The results were interpreted using multivariate analysis of variance and independent samples t-tests. The results of this study suggest that gender is the main demographic characteristic that may identify high social, enhancement, and coping motives for alcohol consumption. Socio-cultural goals and type of Bipolar disorder was also explored; however, results were not significant.