john i completely understand your posts. there are some ppl who are put on meds that don't need them. my present pdoc (went to harvard) has taken me off some of my meds. we are using relaxation and meditation in place of some meds i had been on for ages. tho i suffer from major depressive disorder and benefit from anti-depressants i am glad i take less meds.
therapy is an excellent way to deal with behavioral issues. when i got sober cognitive behavioral therapy really helped me aong with my 12 step program. the mix gave me a better life than from whence i came.
the only reservation re your experience is if you didn't have therapy or didn't do the work there is no progress.
i think what led you to drug/alcohol use was a means to escape from your life experiences. i don't think the meds you were on for bipolar actually caused your addiction, imo. but it doesn't really matter how we got there it's what addiction did to us once we arrived. sober you can resolve things with therapy. i'd discuss your concerns to your therapist re your addiction and treatment for the previous diagnosis.