I am so sorry to hear this. One of the shortcomings in bipolar treatment is that it is hard to diagnose, and clinicians can be reluctant to diagnose adolescents. Unfortunately, as you know, it becomes a lot harder to compel someone to get treatment after they turn 18.

If she is still seeing her pediatrician, I would give him or her a call and advise them on the situation and see what they say. Even if they do not have a suggestion on the bipolar aspect, your child's doctor should have information about where to go for drug abuse in teenagers.

Does your therapist have any child psychiatrist referrals? For your daughter to get the proper medication, she does need to be diagnosed by a psychiatrist.

Although you are probably right on her choosing to self-medicate with alcohol and marijuana, it does need to be addressed separately.

There is a really good book about drug abuse in teenagers- it's called beautiful boy by david scheff. His son, Nic ultimately ended up being diagnosed with bipolar although the illness is not referenced in the book.