Originally Posted by
HMA 
It seems to me that it all stems from poor coping skills, negative learned behaviors, and some need to fill a void. Time to be okay with just me. I think that's the first step in becoming a whole, healthy person.
I think your instincts with this are right on. As someone whose alcoholism developed much later in life (mid-late 40s), I can tell you that you will never regret giving up drinking sooner rather than later.