I have a dual diagnosis, substance abuse disorder and bipolar disorder.
The correlation between substance abuse, particularly alcohol and cocaine, and bipolar disorder is frightening. I chased the depression with alcohol and the mania with blow.
At some point the substance use took on a life of its own, and they start to cause the very issues that I was using them to self-medicate against.
I think anxiety is a sticky wicket. Benzos 'n booze 'n such are extremely effective in quelling anxiety in the short term. A bit too effective. They are also fiercely addictive. Tolerance develops, and eventually the anxiety is worse than when you started. I think these medications can be effective in the short term, but aren't long term solutions.
Glad you're pursuing CBT and using an SSRI against the anxiety. Probably safer for an addict. CBT is HUGE for me against anxiety and in sobriety.