I agree with everything Dee said.
I have had anxiety since my teen years and depression as well. It wasn't until my mid-forties that I turned to alcohol in desperation. And, of course, that led to 3 years of spiralling out of control. Alcohol doesn't help anxiety. Like Dee, I have chosen to not ask the dr for medication. I've been close, but I know it would be the wrong thing for me. If it was a temporary situation, maybe, but ongoing is another situation.
You might check out a couple of great books which offer lots of help with anxiety without medication:
When Panic Attacks by David Burns, MD
From Panic to Power by Lucinda Bassett
I get a lot of outdoor exercise, keep my life as stress free as possible, and most importantly, I have learned to say 'No' and not feel bad about it.