I have to respectfully disagree.  There are excellent medications for bipolar I and II and getting better every year.  There are countless people who are bipolar and living full productive lives.  Abuse of opioids is a national problem involving people from all backgrounds, not just the mentally ill.  Bipolar DO is a chronic condition and it isn't the medications that create it.  High blood pressure, diabetes are chronic conditions.  I don't think the medications for its treatment make it chronic.  Please stop stigmatizing mental health and psychiatric medications.  This does not solve anything