Bipolar Disorder Treatment Center in Wilmington, NC

Wilmington Treatment Center helps adults struggling with bipolar disorder find long-term recovery. Located in North Carolina, Wilmington is the premier rehab for bipolar disorder treatment.

Learn More About Bipolar Disorder Recovery

Learn More About Bipolar Disorder Recovery at Wilmington Treatment Center

For people with bipolar disorder, life on a week-to-week or month-to-month basis can be a struggle. People with bipolar disorder cycle between episodes of mania, or periods of high energy, lofty ideas, and risky, reckless behavior, and episodes of depression, or periods of sad mood, low energy, and apathy. Especially when they exist in conjunction with a primary substance use disorder, these fluctuations can cause immense difficulty in a person’s life if the person’s substance use disorder and co-occurring bipolar disorder are left untreated.

Fortunately, Wilmington Treatment Center has helped individuals with substance use disorders and co-occurring bipolar disorder for over 30 years. Located in beautiful coastal Wilmington, North Carolina, our friendly, caring staff is committed to helping each person in our care find freedom from substance abuse and co-occurring bipolar disorder, and live the life that he or she deserves.

Helping a Loved One

Helping a Loved One or Family Member Get Treatment for Bipolar Disorder

Walking alongside a loved one struggling with a substance use disorder and co-occurring bipolar disorder can at times feel hopeless. However, it is important to remember that there are always things you can do to help your loved one. Consider the following:

  • Learn as much as you can about bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, and what happens when the two interact. Reputable books and websites and experienced treatment professionals can be good sources of information.
  • Research options for treatment. While many different treatment centers may provide similar interventions, such individual and group therapy, each treatment center has its own unique philosophy and treatment emphases. Research treatment options and make a short list of a few centers that may be a good fit for your loved one.
  • Continue investing in your relationship with your loved one. Substance abuse and bipolar disorder can strain relationships, so it is important to remember that your loved one is struggling and needs your help. Try your best to continue supporting your loved one and, if he or she is ready, present the list of treatment centers you found. Make sure to move at your loved one’s pace, and do not push your loved one into treatment if he or she is not ready.
  • Once your loved one agrees to enter treatment, continue being an active source of support in his or her life. During the admissions process, help your loved one with logistical issues and make yourself available to help with transportation, accompany your loved one to appointments with treatment staff, and assist him or her with other issues that may arise.
  • Perhaps most importantly, do not neglect your own physical or emotional health during this process. Now is the time to reach out to friends and family for support. In addition, do not forget to make time for your own social life and hobbies, and continue being physically active.

Why Choose Our Rehab

Why Consider Rehab for Bipolar Disorder at Wilmington Treatment Center

Taken individually, substance use disorders and bipolar disorder can each have a dramatic negative impact on a person’s life. When a person is struggling with both of these disorders, however, the results can be truly catastrophic. It is not uncommon for people with these disorders to struggle to maintain their performance at work, possibly leading to significant financial difficulty as a result of job loss. In addition, these disorders can place immense strain on relationships, possibly leading to arguments, separation, or divorce. A person may also experience medical issues as a result of these disorders, such as contracting a sexually-transmitted infection as a result of risky sexual behavior during a manic episode or from sharing contaminated needles. Depending on the substance a person is abusing, organ damage, cognitive impairment, and death as a result of overdose or suicide are all unfortunately possible. Thankfully, by seeking prompt, effective treatment at a comprehensive treatment center, a person can avoid these negative consequences or minimize their effects on his or her life.

Treatments We Offer

Types of Treatment Offered at Wilmington Treatment Center for Bipolar Disorder

Since 1984, Wilmington Treatment Center has been a leading provider of addiction treatment for men and women age 18 and older. By offering a full spectrum of services designed to meet patients’ varying needs, our center is where lives are changed for the better. Licensed as a hospital, our 139-bed oceanside center is equipped to treat men and women who require medical care while working toward their recovery goals.

In choosing Wilmington as the place to leave your addiction in the past, you can participate in 12-Step-based high quality programming, and you can benefit from the ongoing support of our dedicated clinical team. Each one of your treatment needs will be fully addressed by an individualized treatment plan that will help you overcome your addiction and successfully manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Below are some of the types of treatment that can be included in your personalized treatment plan:

Inpatient detoxification: Depending on the substance than a person is abusing, uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal can emerge and prevent an individual from achieving sobriety. For this reason, we offer medically monitored inpatient detoxification so that our patients can comfortably manage withdrawal and gain the clarity of mind needed to focus on their recovery.

Medication services: Many men and women who come to Wilmington looking to overcome an addiction also struggle with the symptoms of mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder. Because of our dedication to providing superior care, we provide patients with medication management services so that they can receive the pharmaceutical interventions needed to heal from mental illness symptoms. Our medical director and 24/7 nursing staff oversee medication management services and closely monitor each patient so that we can ensure the safety and effectiveness of any and all medications prescribed.

Individual therapy: While Wilmington itself is a dynamic community that provides patients with substantial support from their peers and our staff, there is much to gain from patients being able to meet with a counselor in a private setting. Patients are assigned a primary counselor at the start of their treatment and can meet with their counselors when it is recommended by our clinical team or when a patient needs additional support. Individual therapy sessions allow men and women to work through feelings, establish goals, and learn new skills for maintaining recovery and coping with the symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Group therapy: Individuals battling an addiction and bipolar disorder have a greater likelihood of achieving their treatment goals when they have opportunities to receive support from and offer encouragement to their peers. As such, Wilmington is pleased to offer group therapy sessions each day in the morning and in the afternoon. Groups may include:

  • Life Stages Groups, which cover specific topics centered around the needs of young adults, middle adults, and those chosen by the patients themselves
  • Women’s group
  • Chronic pain group
  • Understanding relapse group
  • Process group
  • Community meetings
  • Lectures
  • 12-Step groups
  • Men’s group
  • Discharge planning group

Recreational Therapy Program: Leaving one’s addiction in the past often requires ending certain behaviors or activities that previously encouraged the abuse of substances. At Wilmington, we understand how hard this can be, and we are eager to help those we treat discover substance-free leisure activities that will help them stick with their treatment goals. Offered through our Recreational Therapy Program, we provide a variety of activities and hobbies that are both fun and foster recovery and healing from an addiction and co-occurring bipolar disorder.

Recreation time: Wilmington is proud to supply a variety of recreational activities that can rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit. For 90 minutes each day, Monday through Friday, men and women can participate in the following leisure activities:

  • Working on your Step 1
  • Recovery Bible study
  • Horseshoes
  • Run/walk fitness trail
  • Big Book Study
  • Reading
  • Volleyball
  • Baseball
  • Wii
  • Puzzles
  • Karaoke
  • Air hockey
  • Arts and crafts
  • Bocce ball
  • Art therapy
  • Basketball
  • Ping pong
  • Foundations training
  • Therapy outings
  • Soccer
  • Board games
  • Foosball
  • Cornhole
  • Coloring pages
  • Zumba
  • Ladderball
  • Yoga
  • Football

Family therapy: Led by our licensed marriage and family therapist, family therapy sessions are available to patients and their loved ones on an as-needed basis. As our patients work on recovering from an addiction and healing from the symptoms of bipolar disorder, they and those closest to them can benefit from working on their relationships with one another and come together as a collective whole, ready and willing to support one another while embarking on this new chapter in their lives.

Family Program: As a means of supplying education and support to the friends and family members of our patients, our center is pleased to offer a Family Program. With programming offered on-site each weekend and a more intensive version of this program offered the first Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of each month, Wilmington aims to help those closest to our patients by offering educational opportunities and encouraging loved ones to share their stories with others who have also been impacted by chemical dependency and co-occurring bipolar disorder.

Operation Recovery: With the Seeking Safety Model for treating trauma as a the foundation of this specialized treatment track, Operation Recovery offers unique programming opportunities for those patients with military backgrounds or those who are first responders. Treatment methods used in this track may include:

  • Group sessions with active duty and/or retired military personnel
  • Coordination of care between medical and clinical staff
  • Introduction to the 12-Steps and Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) meetings with military staff from local bases
  • Monthly presentations led by Military One Source and the local Veterans Association
  • Family involvement
  • Command involvement (when consent is granted)

Depending on your treatment needs and goals, the above types of treatment can be included into your customized treatment plan. Our staff of dedicated professionals will work in collaboration with you to learn about your needs and goals and will formulate a plan that will help you to experience the most favorable treatment outcomes. Upon completion of our inpatient rehabilitation program, you can then participate in our partial hospitalization program and our intensive outpatient care before you return home. We have purposefully designed our treatment to be all-inclusive so that you are able to resume your life with the skills, confidence, and determination needed to remain on the path of long-term sobriety.

The staff at Wilmington is on-hand to answer any questions that you may have about our programming and can begin the process of admissions with you with just one phone call. Feel free to contact us at your convenience, and let us help you determine if our center is where you can achieve the sober life you deserve.

I've struggled for many years with bipolar disorder and began self-medicating with meth in my early 20's. It wasn't until I finally hit rock bottom - losing everything I cared about in my life - that I realized I needed help. Since leaving WTC, I now am getting my life back together one relationship at a time. I cannot thank you enough.

– Alexia M.
Marks of Quality Care
We are affiliated with the following organizations, which provide accreditation, education, and training to ensure quality behavioral health and addiction treatment.
  • American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
  • Newsweek 2023
  • The Joint Commission (JCAHO) Gold Seal of Approval
  • Tricare