Comedian reveals he is bipolar and shares how he recovered from alcoholism

Despite intensifying during the pandemic, the comedian explains that his alcohol abuse was not caused by a single episode. ‘It was several factors of a badly regulated life. Bad food, lots of drinking, sleeping poorly, living badly.’ An specific episode, however, raised the alarm: ‘I was watching the movie Elvis Presley [Elvis, from 2022], and my wife fell asleep on the couch. In just over two hours, which is the duration of the movie, I drank 24 long-neck beers [almost 8 liters]. That’s when I realized something was wrong.’ His wife, Bianca Campos, was already expressing concern about his habit. She said: ‘I saw that it wasn’t just a complaint from my wife, she was pointing out something to me. So, I went to see what was happening.’ Ceará sought medical help. By that time, he already had a diagnosis of depression, panic disorder, and anxiety. ‘In this process, I was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder type two.’ According to him, lack of treatment for bipolar disorder ‘triggered’ the other disorders and encouraged alcohol consumption. With the help of a psychiatrist and psychologist, he started his treatment, began using mood stabilizers and antidepressants, and decided to radically change his habits. ‘That’s when I decided to turn my life around.’ In the past year, he adopted a healthy diet with nutritional guidance, started training daily with a personal trainer, and has already lost 20 kilos. The transformation is shown on his social networks, with workouts, meals, and tips on maintaining good habits. Now, Ceará, who underwent bariatric surgery in 2016, is preparing for an abdominoplasty, scheduled for the 30th. The presence of family was essential to this process. Besides his wife, his 7-year-old daughter Ivy accompanies him in the changes. ‘My family has always supported me, especially my wife Bianca, who is always by my side. We do everything together. Today, she takes care of my show schedule, the household finances, and the company. She’s my life partner.’ Bianca also changed her routine and shares the results. ‘If we did it, you can do it too. My routine wasn’t easy, it wasn’t a regular day-to-day. People might say, ‘it’s easy with money.’ But you can have all the money in the world. If that were the case, the rich wouldn’t die. It’s not like that. Have focus, discipline, and determination,’ says the comedian. Today, Ceará no longer consumes alcohol. ‘I’ve been ‘dry’ for more than a year, without any alcohol.’ Alcohol use disorder Drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period, as Ceará did, is what experts call binge drinking. According to Tiago Saldanha, a psychiatrist and member of the Addiction Psychiatry Commission of the Brazilian Psychiatric Association (ABP), for adult men, consuming more than five drinks in up to two hours is already considered excessive. The alcohol use disorder, explains the psychiatrist, is mainly characterized by a loss of control over consumption. These are patients who are drinking more than they would like, in larger quantities, or for longer than planned. They have a persistent desire to consume alcohol and, associated with this, feel a failure in reducing consumption when they realize they are exceeding their self-established limit. According to Saldanha, there is no safe amount or risk-free place… ‘Drinking at home does not decrease the chances of harm. On the contrary, it can increase the risk of social or domestic problems, such as family conflicts.’ Ceará’s case also illustrates another important point: alcohol use associated with mental disorders. ‘Bipolar disorder, with which he was diagnosed, is one of the most common comorbidities associated with alcohol use. This increases the complexity of the diagnosis and the course of the disease,’ he explains. For these patients, it is essential to treat all conditions involved. ‘Bipolar affective disorder is chronic and incurable, but it can go into remission with adequate treatment. This remission is essential so that, with mood stabilization, we can help the patient stay abstinent from alcohol use.’ The specialist also emphasizes that recovery requires constant vigilance. Alcohol use disorder is a chronic and recurrent condition. The patient needs continuous monitoring, be on alert, and have strategies to prevent relapses. In addition, family members must actively participate. ‘It is very important that those who live with bipolar people participate in support groups, study the disease, and know how to deal with it,’ he says. Support and prevention If you realize you have problems related to alcohol use, seek help. Alcoholics Anonymous operates throughout Brazil, and on their official website, you can find a group near you. The CVV (Center for Valorization of Life) offers emotional support by phone at 188 (free call), through chat and email, and also has service points all over the country.