Why is it so difficult to distinguish between untreated alcoholism and symptoms of mental illness? Ex. Bipolar, Borderline personality, depression, etc. Being a dual-diagnosed person battling both for over 30+ years my symptoms of both mimic each other. Answers I've received from professionals "it's the chicken or trhe egg thing" "you must be sober before we can diagnose mental illness" Aren't they both mental illnesses? Why does it matter which came first? The addictive folks I know remember feeling like they didn't fit in or were les then others, not good enough or just different from their peers as early as 4 or 5 years old before they ever picked up.