Dual Diagnosis and Substance Abuse

Many people with mood or other psychiatric disorders use drugs and/or alcohol to self-medicate. This is especially true of consumers with bipolar disorder. Our ongoing studies in this area examine whether certain medications / nutritional supplements can both curb cravings for these substances and help stabilize mood symptoms.

Click on the titles below for more information about each particular study.

-Quetiapine (Seroquel) for bipolar disorder and cocaine dependency

-Naltrexone (Revia) for bipolar disorder and alcohol dependency

-Lamotrigine (Lamictal) for bipolar disorder and cocaine dependency

You may qualify for one of our studies if:  You have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the past  You have symptoms of bipolar disorder (mood swings, lack of sleep, impulsiveness, irritability)  You have cocaine dependence  You have alcohol dependence

  Corticosteroids and Secondary Mood Disorders

Our group is interested in researching how long-term corticosteroid therapy affects brain activity and function. Our group recently completed a project examining different aspects of the hippocampus (volume, biochemistry and functioning) in patients receiving chronic prednisone therapy. A significant amount of our research examines if there are medications available that can prevent the common corticosteriod side-effects of memory impairment and manic / hypomanic symptoms.

-Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for mood and memory change for people on corticosteroid therapy (e.g., prednisone)

Benefits received by study volunteers in our studies (at NO cost) include:  Psychiatric evaluations by a board certified physician  Individual therapy sessions (varies with study)  Bus passes or parking tokens  Financial compensation for your time