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Pam, first of all congrats on your sobriety! I'm on day 4 and I identify with your feelings.
I know we say "one day at a time" a lot but it is important to keep that in mind.
As Matt said, it is probably difficult to make any mental health diagnosis during an early recovery phase. As always, that is best left for a doctor, however, I will say for me, I am an anxiety disorder sufferer, and I know I used alcohol to manage the symptoms. I cut back on my drinking significantly back in April 2008, and have quit completely for only 4 days, however, I see the clear benefits in my emotional state as a result.
Your volunteer work is awesome! I know you need a paycheck but if you can keep up the volunteer work in the interim that would be a great thing for you!
What I find is I have a rebound effect of sorts from a depression perspective both seasonally (fall/winter months bring me down as do the holiday season) and when I don't drink I find that I am clear minded to think about the issues in my life, of which I have many. Those issues are difficult and bring me down indeed. I believe that I will be successful in sobriety if I can resolve the underlying issues that face me. I don't think I am alone in that requirement...
I'm in your corner...
--mike
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