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August 27th, 2024
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and addiction
Addiction and borderline personality disorder (BPD) are a destructive but tragically common tag team that affect millions of people worldwide. In fact, studies have found that 78% of BPD sufferers will also develop an addiction at some point in their lives. If you or your loved one is suffering from BPD and addiction, understanding the relationship between these two conditions can help you get the right treatment and support to overcome both conditions and build a happier, healthier future.
What is borderline personality disorder?
Borderline personality disorder is a mental health condition that affects the way people think, feel and behave. BPD is thought to affect around 1% of people with men and women equally likely to suffer from the condition. The causes of BDP are not yet fully understood but research suggests that borderline personality disorder causes are likely a combination of genetic, environmental and social factors.
Common BPD symptoms include:
- Fear of abandonment
- Intense and unstable emotions, such as anger, sadness or anxiety
- Impulsive behaviour, such as reckless driving, substance abuse or binge eating
- Self-harm or suicidal behaviour
- Difficulty forming and maintaining relationships
- Distorted sense of self-identity
- Chronic feelings of emptiness
BPD is often misunderstood and stigmatised, leading to a number of common misconceptions about the condition. One common misconception is that people with BPD are deliberately manipulative or faking symptoms as a way of getting attention. Another misconception is that BPD is untreatable but while it can certainly be a challenging condition to treat, many people with BPD are able to manage symptoms effectively and lead happy, fulfilling lives.
The four types of borderline personality disorder
While all people with BPD experience similar symptoms and difficulties, there are four different subtypes of BPD. Understanding the different subtypes can help clinicians tailor treatment to the specific needs of each individual. The four main types of BPD are:
- Discouraged borderline: This subtype of BPD is characterised by feelings of worthlessness, self-hatred and a sense of being trapped. People with this subtype may be more likely to engage in self-harm or suicidal behaviour.
- Impulsive borderline: The main symptoms of impulsive borderline are impulsive and reckless behaviour, such as substance abuse, binge eating or reckless driving. Sufferers may also struggle with anger and aggression.
- Petulant borderline: This subtype often causes feelings of anger, resentment and entitlement. Sufferers are often quick to blame others for their problems and may struggle with maintaining relationships.
- Self-destructive borderline: This is often characterised by self-harm and suicidal behaviour. People may also have issues with substance abuse and other behaviour despite the negative consequences.
It is important to note that many people with BPD may exhibit borderline personality disorder symptoms from more than one subtype. This is why doctors need to work closely with each individual to identify their specific BPD symptoms and tailor borderline personality disorder treatment accordingly.
Dual diagnosis addiction and borderline personality disorder
Dual diagnosis is a term that describes the co-occurrence of a mental health and addiction disorder. BPD and addiction often co-occur with BPD suffering often abusing drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with their intense emotions or due to impulsive or self-destructive tendencies. Conversely, addiction-fuelled substance abuse also worsens BPD symptoms, making it more difficult to manage the condition and resulting in an inescapable cycle.
Simultaneous BPD and addiction can be challenging to treat because both conditions need to be considered at the same time. If only one condition is treated without proper support being given for the other, one or both are likely to get worse, leading to an increased chance of relapse.
Some common co-occurring BPD and addictions include:
- BPD and sex addiction
- BPD and drug addiction
- BPD and porn addiction
- BPD and alcohol addiction
- BPD and social media addiction
- BPD and weed addiction
Why do BPD and addiction co-occur so often?
There are several reasons why addiction and BPD co-occur so often. These include:
- Self-medication: People with BPD may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with their intense emotions or impulsivity. Substance use can provide temporary relief from these symptoms, but it can also lead to addiction.
- Related causes: BPD and addiction are thought to share many of the same genetic, environmental and social risk factors which increase the chances of developing an addiction for BPD sufferers.
- BPD-related behaviours: People with BPD may engage in impulsive behaviours, such as reckless driving or binge eating that can also lead to addiction. They may also struggle with self-harm or suicidal behaviour which can increase the risk of substance abuse.
- Emotional instability: People with BPD may experience intense emotions, such as anger or sadness, that can be difficult to manage. Again, drugs, alcohol and addictive behaviour can provide a temporary escape, but can also worsen the underlying condition.
- Addiction to BPD medicine: Certain drugs that are used to treat and manage BPD can also be highly addictive, particularly if used other than as prescribed.
How are BPD and addiction treated?
Addiction and borderline personality disorder are difficult enough to manage and treat on their own, let alone when they are triggering and fuelling each other. Treating addiction in the presence of BPD can be very difficult, but it is possible with the right approach. People with BPD may face unique challenges in rehab treatment, such as difficulty forming relationships with their therapists or other clients or feeling a sense of abandonment. At Banbury Lodge, we have a team of experienced clinicians who are trained in working with people with BPD and addiction and who provide a supportive and compassionate environment that is tailored to the specific needs of each individual.
Our recovery programmes are designed to help address addiction while also helping to manage BPD symptoms with many addiction counselling therapies also providing huge benefits for both conditions. These include:
The next step
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and BPD, it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible. Contact Banbury Lodge today to learn more about how we can help you overcome addiction and also make BPD easier to manage. This combination can totally transform your life and help you build a bright and happy future.