Alcohol and Bipolar: Do you drink? How does it affect you?

How does alcohol affect you? Do you think we're better off avoiding it? Can it be done in moderation even during mania?

Just wondering if other people with Bipolar have chosen to go sober, I'm considering it myself, and wanted to know if it has helped others.

Some context about me: I've been finding recently that I just can't control my drinking, during depression I drink to feel, and during mania I end up going out and getting way too drunk. Either way it seems to make everything worse. So I'm considering stopping drinking for good. Does anyone have any advice or similar experience?