Have you ever considered a different way to cope with your problems? Like therapy, drugs (the good kind!), meditation, etc. I don't know how old you are but I'm going to guess you're probably still young. What I'm wondering is, is this something you want to do for the rest of your life?
> Like therapy, Yes. No help. > drugs (the good kind!), Yes. On my todo list. Currently between doctors. > meditation, etc. Yes. No luck. > I don't know how old you are but I'm going to guess you're probably still young. Still young is relative. Is 27 around the age range you were thinking? > What I'm wondering is, is this something you want to do for the rest of your life? I appreciate that you're trying to help me, but this feels a little bit condescending from my perspective. You knew nothing about my situation beyond what I posted in this thread, but the wording of your post implies
(to me) that you think that whatever I'm doing, I've been doing it wrong. My options for medication are basically antidepressants and anxiolytics. The most popular anxiolytics aren't any better than alcohol in terms of effects and consequences, and in my mind are somewhat worse.
Antidepressants have low success rates (especially in my situation), unpleasant side effects, and take months to start working. There's no free ride out of my situation. Thank you for your concern though.
I know a person -a lot older than you- who was developing a serious addiction to alcohol (due to depression) and it was painful to watch. She's been seeing a therapist for the past few months and that turned out to be just what she needed, so that's why I asked. Having seen what alcoholism does to a person, both physically and mentally, whenever I hear someone say that he's treating himself with alcohol I can't help but be worried for that person. I hope your doctors can give you a better option.
I'm trying all that stuff right now too. I'm going to see an MD soon and I'll probably be prescribed an antidepressant or something like that. I'm not a "problem drinker" or alcoholic but I do drink way too much, especially for someone who has acute depression. I'd recommend trying out a different therapist if one doesn't work out for you. I don't know if meditation is helping but I've been giving it a serious try. I'd recommend an exercise routine- it has sort of helped me, but any one thing alone is not going to help you crest the hill.