"The Co-Occurence of Bipolar Disorder and Alcohol Dependence," a talk by Jeffrey Rakofsky, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, will be Wednesday, March 14, at 7 p.m. at Emory’s Briarcliff Campus in the third floor auditorium of Building A.

The talk by Rakofsky, who teaches in the School of Medicine, is part of a series of lectures on bipolar disorders.

The event will feature a performance by an individual who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Light refreshments will be provided.

Designed to give in-depth information about the disease, the lectures are sponsored by the Emory University Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program and the Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research.

The topics are structured for any audience, including families, caregivers, educators and those wanting to know more about the disease.

"It has been reported that over 50 percent of people with bipolar disorder are challenged with alcohol dependence,” says Debbie Smith of the Costello Fund. “Understanding this connection and how to manage it is essential to effective care."

For more information, visit www.seancostellofund.org or call 404-310-4514.