Hi Roadie,
Thank you for your input. My t, a clinical psychologist, is actually well-trained to work with bipolar/alcoholic clients. Her prior experience includes work at a VA facility with patients who battled addictions and MI. I only self-medicate with alcohol during hypomanic moods. I have gone months without the strong desire to drink, otherwise, I can control that minor desire that is always there, and not drink during those times. I had been doing well for a while until now, but this time I am more hypomanic than usual. If I can't sleep for several days, I begin drinking to help along with taking klonopin, and I drink too much in one sitting. This is the reason why my t wants me to contact my pdoc-the sleeping problems and the hypomania.
I know that self-medicating with alcohol and klonopin is dangerous. I also know that even though I don't drink often, when I do it is not healthy, the amount nor the lack of inhibitions.
Yes, I do have a problem with alcohol when I drink, and after a couple of days and a t visit, I am working on getting back on a healthy track-that's where I am now. I called the pdoc today and will be seeing her in a couple of weeks-meanwhile she should be calling me tomorrow and I can talk with her about whether she wants to make med adjustments now, or wait until I see her. I also will see my t next week. The third dr. on my team is my gp. She also follows my use very closely because I have high bp, high cholesterol, and the beginnings of kidney disease. She monitors my alcohol as well as the bipolar meds closely because of the other medical problems I have.

Sorry for the LONG post, I just wanted to let you know that I always appreciate your help, and also that I am making positive progress-still little sleep, but not drinking.

Bluemountains