Dimensional and Categorical Correlates of Substance Use Disorders among Canadian Adolescents with Bipolar Disorder

Despite increasing evidence of excessive substance use disorder (SUD) prevalence among adolescents with bipolar disorder (BP), little is known about this topic among Canadian adolescents with BP. We therefore sought to examine the clinical characteristics and dimensional measures of psychopathology associated with comorbid SUD among Canadian BP adolescents.

Participants were 100 adolescents, ages 13-19 years, with BP I, II, or not otherwise specified (NOS). Diagnoses (current and lifetime) were determined via the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Aged Children, Present and Lifetime version (KSADS-PL). Participants were considered to have lifetime SUD if they met DSM-IV criteria for abuse of or dependence on alcohol or any drug other than nicotine. Chi-square analyses and independent samples t-tests were followed by logistic regression analyses.

The lifetime prevalence of SUD was 33% (primarily alcohol and cannabis use disorders). In univariate analyses, SUD was associated with greater lifetime prevalence of conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, panic disorder, assault of others, and a greater number of stressful life events. SUD was significantly associated with greater self-reported impulsivity and parent-report of anger/depression in the adolescent. In multivariable analyses, SUD was associated with panic disorder and oppositional defiant disorder.

SUD is highly prevalent among Canadian adolescents with BP and is associated with anxiety disorders, behavioural disorders, and trait impulsivity. Targeting these clinical characteristics may help guide preventative and treatment strategies for this population.