Interesting thread. I had other issues that I addressed through alcohol which in turn created a chemical dependency on alcohol to cope with those issues. I started drinking at 12 years old - too young to make a logical decision about drinking but old enough to quickly realize it was a coping mechanism.

I think alcohol abuse abuse then becomes the “chicken and the egg” argument. I couldn’t have told you if the pain/drinking came first - both were there.

I do agree that sobriety doesn’t equal instant happiness. It’s a journey one must go through and face your demons along the way. Those demons are damn scary though and it takes effort and support to work through those.