Impact of concurrent alcohol misuse on symptom presentation of acute mania at initial evaluation

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of current alcohol misuse on symptom presentation of acute mania. Methods: The impact of concurrent alcohol misuse on symptom presentation of acute mania was examined by comparing comorbid subjects with acute bipolar mania complicated by current alcohol misuse (n = 60) with subjects with acute bipolar mania without current alcohol misuse ( n = 196). Results: Age- and gender-controlled analysis revealed that the comorbid group presented with more severe psychopathology, as indicated by higher number of total mood-related symptoms as well as of higher total number of manic symptoms. Specifically, they presented with significantly higher rates of mood lability and impulsivity, and also demonstrated higher rates of violent behavior, and other drug use. Conclusions: Acute mania complicated by current alcohol misuse is differentiated from acute mania without alcohol misuse by the presence of higher numbers of manic symptoms and increased high risk behavior such as mood lability, impulsivity, violence, and other drug abuse.