Hi jt -- I'm honestly of mixed feelings on this. I'm taking meds for bipolar and they help tremendously. But if I could have stayed sober and functional without meds, would I have taken them? No. Even though my life is in some ways way better with them. But I resisted for decades. I simply don't like the idea that mentally I can't function irl unmedicated.
Anyway, for me, like it or not, it's true. The unmedicated me is not a good person. My ups are exciting to me, but they usually end up painful to someone else. And my downs are very bad. And I can't "manage" them.
I think you should get a second opinion. Be honest w/the doctor you choose about your concerns, and if you start on a med, don't use drugs or alcohol, and don't go off the med unsupervised.