Welcome back BellJar. I think pretty much all of us have underlying issues below our drinking. It's good to know what those issues are, but it's also easy to get caught up in trying to figure out WHY we drink. At the end of the day the first step in solving any of the issues is to stop drinking. Once that's done you can begin to deal with the other things, but as long as you keep drinking none of them will ever get better. In fact most of them will get worse because you are simply pushing them off and not dealing with them. Alcohol is not a "coping" strategy - it is an escape attempt...but it always fails.
You mention counseling...is that something you currently participate in or something you plan on starting? I'd recommend it if you have access.