sometimes being "cold stone sober" is the only way to go. if you know you have a problem with alcohol it IS the only way to go. I have a lot of alcoholism in my family and I have seen it's destructive force. it's easy to let the idea creep in that you can drink sometimes but for someone with a true drinking problem this is not the case. heavy drinking leads to instability anywAy and the meds don t work. I have read many memoirs on ppl who deal with bipolar AND alcoholism and they all say you cant get one in control with out the other being in control.
I have to be sober. I know if I start to drink I WILL continue to drink. I don't know if any of this applies to you but if you find it does than a focus on sobriety is important.