Open Label Trial of Acamprosate in Bipolar Alcoholics

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults ages 18-65 * Meet DSM-IV criteria for current (past 90 days) alcohol dependence * Meet DSM-IV criteria for bipolar I or bipolar II disorder * Currently on a mood stabilizing medication regimen, including the use of lithium, valproic acid, lamotrigine, and/or antipsychotic agent FDA approved to treat bipolar disorder without any dosage adjustments in the past month * Must be able to remain free from alcohol for at least 3 days prior to medication initiation * Subjects must be able to adequately provide informed consent and function at an intellectual level sufficient to allow the accurate completion of all assessment instruments * Subjects must consent to random assignment and be willing to commit to medication treatment and follow-up assessments Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals with a primary psychiatric disorder other than bipolar disorder * Individuals with an uncontrolled neurologic condition that could confound the results of the study * Individuals with an uncontrolled medical condition that may adversely affect the conduct of this trial or jeopardize the subject's safety * Participants with creatine clearance less than or equal to half of normal value as indicated by chem. 7 results conducted at screening visit. * Concomitant use of other psychotropic medications not allowed per the protocol * Women of childbearing potential who are pregnant, lactating or refuse to use adequate forms of birth control * Current suicidal or homicidal risk * Baseline scores of \> 35 on the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale and/or \> 25 on the Young Mania Rating Scale