From what we know, A great uncle on my fathers side was bipolar. My dad's brother was bipolar along with my cousin.

My mother was alcoholic and suffered from depression, possibly bipolar. She committed suicide at 49.

Both my grandfathers were alcoholic. I have read that there is some kind of correlation between having bipolar and having a lot of alcoholism in your family.

There is a genetic component to bipolar disorder. Also, someone with bipolar has a good chance of having their first episode by their teens. I was 15 when I had my first episode.