My unhappiness, when I am not drinking, is my untreated alcoholism.
I treat my alcoholism with alcohol (drinking) and when you take that away (my security blanket) I am left with a shell of a person. If the only thing I do to treat it is not drink, then I am headed for a sad life.
I have to do some work on me so I change when I am sober. I do this with the 12 steps of AA and I am mostly happy these days. I didn't get sober to have a sad life. How much work on you are you willing to do today?
Sending love and hugs to you