I have been an alcoholic for about 10 years now. During this time. I have also struggled with depression and anxiety. I am certain that alcohol abuse has been directly responsible for mental health issues. I also have ADHD, which means my brain 's reward system is already wired differently to begin with. My depression tends to clear up after a long period of sobriety but anxiety remains an issue.
Sometimes I wonder if all alcoholic's suffer related depression issues. Alcohol causes changes to the brain after a while so it seems unavoidable if you abuse it alcohollically.