Hi again newagain
Yep alcohol is alcohol - no matter whether it's spirits or wine and beer. That was one of the misconceptions I had to get past too - it all harmed me, given the chance.
Your Dr is right about going cold turkey can be hazardous but trying to wean yourself off booze is very difficult for an alcoholic - if we could manage our intake of booze we wouldn't have this problem in the first place.
If you find difficulty with what yr doctor has asked you to do then perhaps you dhould seek a second opinion. I know that drinking on anti-depressants all but makes them inoperative so it's important you get good advice on this.
D