Drug Treatment for Alcoholics With Bipolar Disorder

Inclusion Criteria: * Meets the criteria for alcohol dependence with comorbid bipolar disorder. * Agreement to participate in outpatient treatment. * Ability to tolerate lithium carbonate and be randomized to receive sodium valproate or placebo. * Stable living situation. * Ability to provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Psychiatric conditions including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, any non-bipolar psychotic disorder, unipolar major depression, mental retardation, or signs of impaired cognitive functioning. * Neurological conditions including epilepsy, history of brain injury, encephalitis, or any organic brain syndrome or focally abnormal electroencephalographic examination. * Medical conditions including severe cardiac, liver, kidney, endocrine, hematologic, other impairing or unstable medical condition or impending surgery. * Persistent elevation of liver function enzymes indicating active liver disease. * Pregnancy or not using an acceptable contraceptive method. * Inability to read or understand study forms; agree to informed consent. * Impending incarceration or a mandate to attend treatment by the legal system for an alcohol use disorder. * The presence of either/or cocaine dependence, opioid dependence, and intravenous drug use.