Hi Cheeky,
I have battled depression for sometime now, and also drank to self medicate....and it never ever helped.... in fact made it a million times worse.
You do have options cheeky that dont mean staying in and also dont mean you have to face people until you are ready with the help of counselling.
The one thing that has really helped start to lift my depression is getting out and in to nature. Whenever I feel really low or edgy i go to one of my favourite parks and walk my butt off!! It is known that all the feel good endorphins etc released when exercising help incredibly with depression. Add to that the nourishment I find being surrounded by nature.... it is a powerful combination.
I hope you can find your way out of seeing only 2 options Cheeky... and well done on giving up drugs, maybe its time for the booze too. Keep coming here for support, the people here are amazingly inspirational... it has helped me more than they probably know.
:ghug3