Originally Posted by
nandm 
I see it as a which came first, the chicken or the egg, problem. I don't know if my bipolar drove my alcohol abuse or the alcohol abuse drove the bipolar. All I know is that today I have two separate issues that are intertwined.
I agree with the chicken or egg theory. I eventually came to the conclusion that I suffered from clinical depression starting in adolescence and eventually started to self-medicate with alcohol/drugs.
Regardless, I am responsible for both the treatment of my alcoholism/addictions, and my mental health issues.