Cannabis Use in Affectively Stable Patients With Bipolar Disorder: Effects on Social Cognition, Emotional Processing, and Social Function

Abstract

The prevalence of comorbid substance use disorders (SUD) in bipolar disorder (BD) is high (∼50% lifetime); alcohol and cannabis are the most widely abused substances. Comorbid SUD contributes to poor outcomes: more frequent/prolonged episodes, decreased treatment compliance, lower quality of life, increased suicidal behavior, and earlier onset of other comorbidities. Clearly, the misuse of these substances has negative consequences; however, little is known about the effects of regular “use” of cannabis and alcohol in BD patients.