In my case..I have found that the alcoholism caused my bipolar...or made me manic..and have moods all over the place...I have been sober 20 months now, and have weaned myself off Lithium...for the past 3 months...I have to say that the lithium absolutely helped with the detox and stabilization during the hard times of staying sober....I continue to see my addiction counsellor, my psych..,read recovery books,and tend to my spiritual beliefs....all of this has helped greatly....could I have been mis-diagnosed?? I was diagnosed when I was very very actively drinking??? who knows...but I do feel okay..I monitor my moods, and still have an on going perscription for lithium and will go back if I find I'm all over the map again....I try not to read to much into my moods however..I just want to feel....and not be labelled manic...or irriatable..etc...time will tell..and I think it's important to just stay aware... xo......