Okay, just booked the appointment for the physical, yay! It will be in mid-February as none of the doctors I considered had an earlier appointment. It's fine, I don't need anything urgent right now from a GP, just want a general exam with comprehensive bloodwork and all, and will ask for some things specific to the alcoholism and new sobriety. Even though I don't feel I need medical help right now to maintain my sobriety, will ask what they usually recommend, if for nothing else, out of curiosity. I will just tell them what I said here, that I am trying to take a holistic approach and any opinion/advice is welcomed, including on mental health.
I forgot to mention earlier today that, sadly, many of the doctors even in this apparently prestigious institution don't do a comprehensive intake at all. Primary care doctors usually do, and the specialist I saw this week did (part of what gave me a good impression on him), but no one else, including the dentist. Most of them usually ask basic questions about past and current physical illnesses, allergies etc, and sometimes if I have anything else I want to tell them (that's the room for disclosing the alcoholism I think), but typically nothing about mental health unless the patient brings up taking psychiatric medications or that the purpose of the visit is mental health. I understand the shortage of time and that it's a delicate balance/strategy not to intrude upon a patient, but it's definitely a weakness of this whole system still. I think more patients would be more open and honest about mental health issues, including substance abuse, if the team showed more interest (assuming a non-judgmental attitude).
Anyhow, need to work with we what we've got and take initiative in receiving the care we want - much like we need to make the efforts to get sober and then in every step of recovery.