Bipolar disorder (BPD) is the Axis I disorder with the highest risk of a coexisting substance use disorder (SUD). Patients with both disorders have a worse outcome than those with either disorder alone. However, little research has concentrated on treatments specifically for this dually diagnosed population. We have developed and tested a new manualized group therapy for patients with BPD and SUD, Integrated Group Therapy (IGT), which focuses on similarities in the thinking and behavior involved in recovery from BPD and SUD.
