Originally Posted by
SelfSeeking 
I have been treated for depression for years and any mention of alcohol that came up they were thrilled to pass off as "self-medicating".
So did you continue to self-medicate?
If you feel comfortable making your own diagnosis, good for you. But shame on you if you encourage others to do the same. Yes, people should be well informed health-care consumers, do their own research and feel empowered to advocate for their own treatment regimen but that should be part of the doctor-patient relationship. And when I say doctor-patient relationship, I'm not necessarily talking about a family practitioner, if serious alcohol abuse is part of your problem you should seek a physician/psychiatrist that specializes in addiction medicine.
To belittle the suggestion of seeking medical advice is irresponsible, self-seeking. You may be comfortable with self-diagnosis and good for you, but it is unwise to poo-poo that to others if they are in the grips of a serious addiction and mental health condition.