I am kinda at a loss when I read threads like this because I can't get my head around the fact that there are alcoholics without an additional mental health problem, such as depression, personality disorder, anxiety disorder etc. As I have mentioned before, I can understand that a physical addiction can and does occur after prolonged exposure to alcohol, but does that prolonged exposure happen without a co-existing medical issue such as depression? From the personal testimonies I have heard and read, I really am not so sure. Or am I just exposed to self-selecting individuals?
Anyway, I do think a separate sticky would be useful, but perhaps the difference is not one of dual diagnosis or not, but whether we are dealing with someone who seeks help or not?
Sorry if I've derailed the thread at all as it is really not my place to do so, but I am very interested in this from a bigger picture perspective.