Hi DaveinJapan. It's really important that you stop the drinking, or at least limit it greatly. When people abuse substances, it's not always easy for doctors to make accurate diagnoses.

We can't diagnose you here. You must talk to your doctor (psychiatrist ?) about that. However, if a moodstabilizer is helping you that is good.

There is what they call the "bipolar spectrum". Many psychiatrists now believe that a fairly large number of people with mood issues may fall in this spectrum. Some of those who do, may or may not meet sufficient criteria for bipolar diagnoses listed in diagnostic manuals.