Juno,
Life can be so overwhelming sometimes and alcohol can give some relief from that. It like an automatic pause button where you go from 100 mph to 0 mph in one glass. I never thought I get over this, I thought I'd always need it. At present somehow I don't.
There came a time where I, difficult as it was, I didn't drink despite the pressures of life. Then the next time I felt overwhelmed it was easier and the next and the next. Now when I feel stress I also feel glad that I'm facing it without drinking.
Remember most kids have problems, some bigger than others, but they, for the most part, always turn out ok adults.