Drinking + bipolar meds (or just drinking + bipolar) can certainly lead to all kinds of havoc...

Personally--this is just me--I would look at this as under-controlled bipolar instead of any kind of addiction. Get the bipolar in check and the other behaviors may just rein themselves in.

It can be kind of embarrassing, but be as open about this stuff with your psychiatrist as you can. It's always possible a little meds adjustment could make a big difference.

I don't know that bipolar has to get worse over time. Part of it, at least for me, is controlling what I can as quickly as I can. Originally, I waited too long to get real treatment, which has made it harder. Now I move quickly and get to the doc when symptoms are getting worse.