Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder
Published on: May 2, 2025
Risk of substance use disorders in adolescents with bipolar disorder
Timothy E Wilens1, Joseph Biederman, Anne Kwon
1Pediatric Psychopharmacology Unit, Child Psychiatric Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. twilens@partners.org
Objective:
Previous work in adults and youths has suggested that juvenile onset bipolar disorder (BPD) is associated with an elevated risk of substance use disorders (SUD). Considering the public health importance of this issue, the authors now report on a controlled study of adolescents with and without BPD to evaluate the risk of SUD.
Method:
Probands with DSM-IV BPD (n=57, mean age +/- SD=13.3 +/- 2.4 years) and without DSM-IV BPD (n=46, 13.6 +/- 2.2 years) were studied. Structured psychiatric interviews and multiple measures of SUD were collected.
Results:
Bipolar disorder was associated with a highly significant risk factor for SUD (32% versus 7%, Z=2.9, p=.004) that was not accounted for by conduct disorder (adjusted odds ratio=5.4, p=.018). Adolescent-onset BPD (> or =13 years) was associated with a higher risk of SUD compared with those with child-onset BPD (chi1=9.3, p=.002).
Conclusions:
These findings strongly indicate that BPD, especially adolescent onset, is a significant risk factor for SUD independently of conduct disorder.
Related Concept Videos
Bipolar Disorder
Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Borderline Personality Disorder
Genetic and Environmental Contributions
Borderline Personality...