I had adorable little budgies that I completely adored, my family were over at my house when I wasn't home and left the door open and the bird cage open, they flew away and I know they probably froze to death in the Canadian winter during the night here, i was devastated too, I also drank and it certainly didn't bring them back.
Lesson, drinking doesn't help! But you've still made it far sober, just dust off and get back on the bus
Glad your cat came back!