Sign in Subscribe
Youth

New Study Reveals Impact of Treatment on Substance Use Disorder Risk in Young People with Bipolar Disorders

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Research conducted by a team of experts at Massachusetts General Hospital has shed new light on the relationship between treatment duration and risk for substance use disorder (SUD) in young people with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BPD). The study, which analyzed data from patients aged 16-30 years seen at Mass General Brigham between 02/16/15 and 07/14/23, found that longer treatment duration for both MDD and BPD was associated with a significant reduction in risk for SUD.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study included 3601 and 796 patients with MDD and BPD, respectively, with no history of SUD. The most common treatment was pharmacologic only for MDD (89.3%) and BPD (94.3%).
  • There was no significant difference in the development of SUD between those treated and not treated for MDD (HR=1.06 [0.84, 1.32], p = 0.63) nor those treated and not treated for BPD (HR=0.80 [0.49, 1.30], p = 0.37).
  • However, longer duration of treatment for both MDD and BPD was associated with a significant reduction in risk for SUD.
  • There was a 2.1% risk reduction for each additional cumulative month of treatment for MDD (HR=0.979 [0.976, 0.981], p = 0.0003).
  • The study concluded that longer treatment duration for young people with MDD and BPD is associated with decreased SUD risk.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and published in the Journal of Mood and Anxiety Disorders (2025;12:100149).

Statistics:

  • 3467 patients with MDD and 796 patients with BPD were examined in the study.
  • 1666 patients with MDD and 314 patients with BPD were included in the final analysis.
  • 89.3% of patients with MDD and 94.3% of patients with BPD received pharmacologic treatment only.
  • The study found a 2.1% risk reduction for each additional cumulative month of treatment for MDD (HR=0.979 [0.976, 0.981], p = 0.0003).
  • The study concluded that patients treated for 12 months or more had a lower risk for SUD compared to those treated for less than 12 months.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital Report New Data on Bipolar Disorders (An examination of the impact of treatment on later risk for a substance use disorder in young people with major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder). Mental Health Weekly Digest. October 20, 2025; p 890.
  • An examination of the impact of treatment on later risk for a substance use disorder in young people with major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Journal of Mood and Anxiety Disorders, 2025;12:100149.

Read more