Hi His Girl - I'm pretty new to this site too and I'm going through the same kind of situation, only I'm the one with bipolar and depression, and my bf is in your situation, trying to be supportive in such a difficult situation.

I drank A LOT for a very long time, and my Pdoc wouldn't even put me on mood stabilizers until I stopped. As a matter of fact, she wouldn't even diagnose me with bipolar because the one time she'd tried putting me on a MS, it interacted VERY badlly with the alcohol. Alcohol is one of the main triggers of depressive episodes and erratic behavior, and it's very very verrrryy hard to get that through to someone whose drinking is out of control. As horrible as it sounds, really, if they're not willing to make an effort to stop, there really isn't much that anyone can do except to let them know that you are there for them.

It could be that he's just not ready to give up his lifestyle and start facing the reality of bipolar disorder. It took me years to finally snap out of the denial and realize that I'll see my own life as crap forever if I don't accept the assistance and advice of those who know, and those who care.

My bf is just now reading a guide on bipolar that's for both those with the disorder and those around them. I think it's helping him to recognize triggers that I don't even recognize. My advice is that maybe a book will help you to find ways to live through this process along with him. There are so many, the one that I gave him that I think is the best is "The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide" by David J. Miklowitz.

Your bf is very lucky to have your support. You are a saint for being there for him. And you have got my support