Thanks, BC, very much.
Asa, it is hard coming face to face with what is "under" all the self-medicating...
...but...
1) the drink screws with our neurotransmitters and it can take quite awhile for things to even out, even just back to what is a new normal.
2) It is possible drinking caused the depression it now appears to relieve. It is certain that drinking made the depression you now deal with deeper.
3) true depression is very treatable...if it continues, get with a qualified professional for assistance with that. The farther you are from the last drink, the more likely other treatment modes will be successful against the depression.
3 ) don't drink!!