Seizure Drug Helps Bipolar Alcoholics

Valproate, a drug used to control seizures, can help alcoholics who also have bipolar disorder reduce their drinking, according to a University of Pittsburgh Medical Center study. Researchers found that those taking valproate were able to stay away from heavy alcohol use for about a month longer than a placebo group. The valproate group had fewer heavy drinking days than the control group. More than 2 million adults have bipolar disorder, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health.