But I remember a TERRIBLE fog the day after downing a 12 pack...I have a little fogginess due to the bipolar occasionally, but nothing like that I suffered after drinking 12 beers the night before!!! For me there was no comparison!

Closer To The Mid, I can relate to some peoples' negative attitudes about mental illness. Some even go so far as to say most meds shouldn't be allowed if you're in the program (fortunately those folks are few). I started drinking & drugging before I was diagnosed bipolar, so I think I was self-medicating to some extent. If I hadn't been bipolar, I still think I would have been an alcoholic because of my family history. I hear what you're saying about sobriety & mental illness as being inter-related, though.