Bipolar and Addiction Treatment in Colorado - Spero Recovery

What Is Bipolar Dual Diagnosis?

Bipolar dual diagnosis refers to the co-occurrence of bipolar disorder and a substance use disorder (SUD). Individuals with bipolar disorder are especially vulnerable to developing addictions due to the intense highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression) that characterize the condition. Drugs or alcohol are often used in an attempt to manage or escape these mood swings, creating a dangerous cycle of instability.

Bipolar disorder itself is a complex mental health condition that affects mood regulation. There are several types, including Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymic Disorder, each with varying levels of severity and symptom presentation. In the context of addiction, individuals with bipolar disorder may self-medicate in response to these fluctuating states, further complicating their mental health and overall well-being.

A dual diagnosis situation requires integrated treatment. Simply treating addiction without addressing the underlying mental health condition, or vice versa, rarely leads to lasting recovery. This is why Spero Recovery offers a holistic and evidence-based dual diagnosis treatment program that tackles both components simultaneously.

Signs You or a Loved One May Need Dual Diagnosis Care

It’s not always easy to tell when a person is struggling with both bipolar disorder and addiction. The symptoms often overlap or mask each other. However, certain patterns may suggest the need for professional help:

• Erratic Mood Swings: Intense emotional highs and lows that interfere with daily functioning.
• Increased Substance Use During Mood Episodes: Using stimulants during manic episodes or depressants during lows to self-medicate.
• Legal or Financial Problems: These may result from impulsive behavior during mania or risky substance use.
• Isolation or Relationship Strain: Emotional volatility and addiction can erode support systems.
• Treatment Resistance: Previous attempts at addiction treatment may have failed due to unaddressed bipolar symptoms.
• Rapid Changes in Sleep or Energy: Sleeping very little for days, followed by sleeping excessively, often signals a mood disorder.
• Delusions or Grandiosity: Unrealistic beliefs about one’s abilities or influence can occur during manic episodes.

Recognizing these signs is the first step toward seeking the right kind of support. At Spero Recovery, we provide a safe, structured environment where men can begin the hard but hopeful work of healing.

How Untreated Bipolar Disorder Fuels Substance Use

Many people with bipolar disorder turn to substances as a way to cope with their symptoms. Alcohol, cannabis (marijuana), stimulants, or sedatives (like benzos) may provide temporary relief but ultimately worsen the condition.

For example, during manic episodes, individuals might feel invincible and make reckless choices, such as binge drinking or drug use. In depressive states, substances might be used to numb the pain or escape suicidal thoughts. These behaviors not only increase the risk of addiction but also intensify the severity and frequency of bipolar episodes over time.

Research shows that co-occurring bipolar disorder and addiction are associated with:

• Earlier onset of symptoms
• Greater likelihood of suicide attempts
• Lower quality of life
• Poorer treatment outcomes if not addressed holistically

Many clients report that substance use initially seemed like a solution. It might start as a drink to calm racing thoughts, a pill to get through the day, or a joint to escape a dark mood. Over time, however, these behaviors become habitual and even necessary to function, creating physical dependency alongside psychological distress.

The longer bipolar disorder and addiction go untreated, the more entangled they become. Mood instability fuels substance cravings, and substance abuse destabilizes the mood further. Without a clear and targeted treatment plan, it can feel impossible to break free.

Our Integrated Approach to Bipolar Dual Diagnosis at Spero

At Spero Recovery Center, we understand the complexities of dual diagnosis treatment. Our program combines clinical excellence with experiential therapies and peer connection. We focus on the whole person, not just the symptoms.

Key elements of our integrated care include:

• Comprehensive Assessment: Upon intake, each individual receives a full psychological and substance use evaluation to develop a personalized treatment plan.
• Medication Management: For those who benefit from psychiatric medication, our team ensures safe, effective, and supervised management.
• 24/7 Support: Our residential setting provides round-the-clock care and supervision, which is especially crucial during the early stages of stabilization.
• Holistic Healing: We incorporate physical wellness, mindfulness practices, and outdoor activities to support emotional and mental recovery.
• Peer-Led Programming: Our community is built on mutual support. Clients learn and grow through shared experience, guided by mentors who understand the journey.

Our treatment team also works to identify any underlying trauma that may have contributed to or worsened symptoms. Trauma-informed care is central to our philosophy, recognizing that many men with co-occurring disorders have experienced childhood abuse, neglect, combat exposure, or significant loss.

We don’t believe in cookie-cutter treatment. Every man at Spero deserves and receives a plan tailored to his unique needs and strengths.

Therapies That Support Long-Term Stability

Bipolar dual diagnosis requires a toolkit of therapies that address the biological, psychological, and spiritual components of recovery. At Spero Recovery, we offer a well-rounded selection of modalities, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps individuals recognize and change harmful thinking patterns that fuel addiction and mood instability.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Teaches skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
• Trauma-Informed Therapy: Many of our clients have a history of trauma. Our clinicians are trained to provide care that is sensitive to past experiences without re-traumatization.
• Group Therapy: Clients build trust, accountability, and community through group therapy sessions that address both addiction and mental health topics.
• Adventure & Nature Therapy: Colorado’s natural beauty becomes part of the healing process. Hiking, kayaking, and nature walks are used to reconnect men with their bodies and surroundings.
• Mindfulness & Spiritual Practices: Meditation, breathwork, and other reflective practices help calm the nervous system and foster internal resilience.
• Somatic Therapies: Understanding the body’s role in storing trauma and stress is essential. Movement-based therapies, grounding exercises, and breath awareness offer additional layers of healing.

This multidimensional approach gives our clients a firm foundation for both mental stability and sustained sobriety.

Why Choose Spero Recovery for Bipolar Dual Diagnosis?

There are many treatment centers in Colorado, but few offer the level of focused, compassionate care that Spero provides. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Men-Only Program: We believe gender-specific care creates a safe, distraction-free environment where men can open up and heal.
• Trauma-Informed Philosophy: Our staff is trained to understand the role of trauma in addiction and mental illness.
• Affordability and Accessibility: As a nonprofit, we are able to keep costs low without compromising on quality.
• Peer Community: Many of our staff members are in recovery themselves. This creates a level of trust and understanding that is hard to find elsewhere.
• Continuity of Care: From detox referrals to aftercare, we help each client navigate the full recovery journey.
• Location & Setting: Nestled in the natural beauty of Colorado, our serene environment supports reflection, reconnection, and healing.
• Values-Based Culture: Integrity, respect, and dignity guide every interaction at Spero Recovery. We meet our clients where they are – with empathy, not judgment.

Explore our Men’s Rehab Program to see how we help men thrive.

Aftercare and Ongoing Support

Healing doesn’t end when a client leaves our residential program. We support our alumni with resources and referrals for:

• Outpatient therapy
• Medication management
• Sober living arrangements
• Job placement assistance
• Continued peer mentorship
• Alumni meetings and community events

Additionally, we help families prepare for the return home by offering education, communication skills, and support strategies.

Many individuals with bipolar disorder require lifelong mental health care. We help our clients build a post-treatment roadmap that includes ongoing support and clinical follow-up. This structure helps prevent relapse, stabilize mood, and build confidence over time.

We also connect clients with our dual diagnosis program and trusted partners for any specialized ongoing care needed after discharge.

Take the First Step Toward Stability and Recovery

If you or someone you love is battling both bipolar disorder and addiction, don’t wait for things to get worse. Spero Recovery Center is here to help men regain control, find peace, and live meaningful, substance-free lives.

Recovery starts with one courageous step. Contact us today to learn more, ask questions, or begin the admissions process.