Taking medication for bipolar disorder regularly is one of the most important part of its treatment.
Finding the way to live with the disorder, for both, the diagnosed partner and the other one, can be achieved through psychotherapy, behavior therapies and group therapies.
But, bipolar meds must be taken life-long, cause this condition is chronic one, and by the time passes, its course gets worse.
Acctually, untreated bipolar patient will have more intense and more frequent episodes.
Finding the right combination of drugs and doses that work for the bipolar patient, usually, takes time.
Bipolar patient with depressive episode, who is off the medications, has untreated depressive episodes that usually last 11 weeks, and, multiple episodes of depression.
The biggest concern, is the suicidal tendency when depressed and untreated (suicide rate for bipolar patients is 15-22 times the national average, and, in first year off mood stabilizer therapy is 20 times the rate when on mood stabilizer therapy)

Best wishes!
Marija