One of the counselors who headed up an Al-Anon type group that I went to said that he gets depressed the difference now is that he knows it is only temporary.
I still get depressed now and then. I know it is only temporary because I can look back in my journals and see myself coming out of it in journal entries.
When I get depressed I try very hard to self care. I use my happy light, use my Vit. D and get plenty of exercise (oh I hate to exercise). I only do those things because I know that it makes it better. The journal helps remind me what makes it better. Drinking isn't in there.