Please be careful. I'm no alarmist about drugs, but lithium can easily become poisonous to the body. It's not hard for your body to have a real negative reaction. Especially if you dose up too fast. It can dehydrate you to the point of delirum, too, so drink a lot of water at least. And I know they say it about all mood drugs, so i don't wanna sound annoying, but you TRULY don't wanna drink alcohol with this one. I've seen two people go to the ER who had been on lots of other meds, but they drank on lithium & it was different. One person got severely disoriented and dehydrated enough to end up in hospital two days. The other ended up with some kidney disease or short term failure because he took one extra pill (250mg each totalling 500mg, I think?) and drank that night, and going to gym in morn. The stuff is released faster when you drink and exercise, and the combo can catch up faster than you'd expect. The time release helps keep that from happening, but it also keeps it actively releasing evenly throughout your body day and night. Sorry to be the annoying "be safe" person, but I can't help it. I care. :) I do hope it helps you out. It didn't help me, but I've heard it can be very effective if you're careful. Be well!
...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdRkSgKMim0