I think alcohol is a horrid drug on the body, and I look back
at the Prohibition Era and it looks like the average person
breaking the law was just looking for a good time, but I have
a feeling a lot where self medicating at the time?

Alcohol is a weird drug that affects so many parts of the brain; I don't think it's just coincidence that it's the drug of choice for so many people who have mental disorders?

I know for myself, when I had my breakdown in my late twenties--alcohol is the only drug that really seemed to
make me feel normal(a least for awhile). I went to various
Psychiatrists and was prescribed the usual regime of tri,
and hetrocyclic antidepressants--none worked in the slightest
in my case. I finally found Klonopin. Yea, it worked at first, but was not better than alcohol. I know Klonopin has
a long half life, but in my experience the effects wore off
pretty quick?

My point is I feel a lot of people abuse alcohol because the
other drugs just don't work very well. I remember a Psychiatrist telling me I wish I could prescribe more Klonopin, so you didn't need to drink a six pack a day, but
I can't. I'm afraid of the load on you liver. He was right,
and I'm glad he didn't increase the dosage of Klonopin--I think? I really didn't have a say in the matter.

But the anxiety went on for years and honestly effected my life and career. I went on to become an Alcoholic.

I got to the point where I gave up, but didn't want to blow out my liver(I had a medical backround, and saw just how horrid alcohol was to the liver.) I saw someone die from
liver failure, and it was Hell. It was beyond the worse misery I have ever seen, and it went on for days.

I knew I was a alcoholic, and Psychotropic medications were
not helping me so I just decided to keep my drinking down to
only the times I truly needed it(that meant no partying, no
drinks at dinner, etc.) I was a drug I used to treat my symptoms. I stayed away from hard liquor. Just medicated with beer and wine.

Well years later--my career is toast, but I'am still alive. Most days were a pain in the ass, but I got through it, and had some good days. If anyone reads this who is suffering from an anxiety related
disorder; I can honestly state that the my level of anxiety
did get better with the natural aging process. If you are
controlling panic attacks with alcohol--only drink enough to
stop the paints attack. In my case 2-3 drinks would stop a panic attack if I timed it right.

My worse years were the 90's up through around 2005. Back in
the ninties I could get away with a little bit of alcohol on my breath. I couldn't imagine self medicating today--where alcohol is so demonized in many circles, and Cops don't take
any sympathy. "Just lock him up even if even though he blew under .08 percent. He probally has something else in his blood stream, and through synergy, and our narrative, we can get a conviction?"

The Psychiatriactic profession has failed us. Very few drug
companies are working on new Psychiatric drugs. No wonder
people self medicate? What I find ironic is right now it is
harder than ever to get SSDI for a Phychiatric disorder.

No I am not on SSDI, but would be homeless if I didn't get very lucky a few investments early on.(absolute blind luck
on that money). I got lucky. I really should be homeless.