I would agree with ichabod. My AH has huge anxiety issues when he is not drinking. This time for a few months. Not only anxiety but sugar cravings. I too have thought that the drinking is easier to deal with than the anxiety.
I would also say that his thinking and decision-making is still very distorted when he is not drinking. I believe that this is due to the long-term effects that the alcohol has had on his brain and body.