Hi there, I m wondering if my son might be bipolar. He s 27 and gets into legal trouble when he is out of work, with time on his hands; he is aware of the signs and can predict that he will probably be arrested again. Being out of work or other regular life stressors (which cause depressive symptoms in him) usually prompts his alcoholism...and then the cycle continues...He s been in trouble and on probation pretty much since he s been 13. He ll complete the terms of probation which usually includes addictive treatment, regularly celebrates the completion of is term and then gets into trouble and it starts all over again. I am seeking information if this is just alcohol addiction (a really bad drunk who gets confrontational and abusive), or if it may include another underlying illness. (Note: His father s side has several individuals who aren t quite right - father s mother, father s brother, and father has been in and out of prison since my son has been about 8.) He has always been unable to accept blame for his actions...it s always somebody else s fault - he regularly deflects.