Yes, this can definitely have a lot to do with it. More than anything it is wanting to run away from himself, from his brain, from his illness, from the way he thinks, from the way he perceives his life to be going and his lack of control over his life and what happens in his life. He may not know this or may not even have really thought about it, but that's likely what this is. And is in every way related to bipolar...and is just a way of dealing with not being able to deal with it. He's overwhelmed. Many of us are and much of the time.

There's not really anything you can do to stop him, per se, but it does sound like he needs some encouragement and guidance in the coping skills department. Does he get treatment? With meds or therapy, etc? It's a difficult thing to realize, but you are extremely limited in what you can do. It's mostly up to him. If he's not coping then therapy may be of great use to him because them its being up to him won't be something so unattainable.... At the moment the idea of this all being ultimately up to him to control/correct/handle may just be out of reach. But with the proper coping skills (and meds!!!) he may be able to get a better handle on it.