I think you'll find some answers here:
Bipolar II, Mood Swings without Mania; Brain Tours; Stress and Depression; Hormones and Mood; and more...
Particularly in these two areas:
Exercise and Mood Treatment
and
mood stabilizers for bipolar disorder
There's also a lot of information in the 'Research and Information' sticky on the top of the forum. See the NY Times article in particular and the Mood Gym, too.
In the meantime, before you get to your doctor's appointment, please try to stop drinking. It will not help your moods , and it *will* destabilize you even more than you would be otherwise.
Also, try to get into a routine as much as possible. Routines help those with bipolar spectrum; getting up and going to bed at the same times; mealtimes; order and routine are the call of the day for stabilization of moods. It will also help your children too.
And do use those free nights for that alone time to relax and get some much needed *me* time. You deserve it.
I hope these things help some. Know that we're here for you.
Shalom!