onlymedid , i am so glad you are willing to follow your pdoc's suggestion. the substance abuse programs teach you about the disease of addiction. they also talk about a more constructive way of living without drugs or alcohol. i went to one and it helped change my life. your pdoc is right too when he states that using alcohol counteracts the meds he's prescribed for you. it's like one could just save their money if one is drinking and taking meds. i'm confidant that you can improve with the meds if one stops using alcohol. my pdoc told me i needed to treat both diseases at the same time and by doing so i got better cause i stopped the alcohol completely and took my meds. i found a wonderful way of life and it worked!!! been a long time now and my bipolar is stabalized for the most part since then. we tweaked my meds too and got good results. i owe him for his help and insight. i only wish you the very best and please keep us posted.