Take this for what it's worth (nothing) but I can tell you the experience of one alcoholic.....Me.
Anxiety, depresion, lack of sleep, shitty shits, stomach pains, all that.....it was a part of my existence and drinking seemed to keep it at bay temporarily, but when I'd have to stop it all came roaring back in spades. So I had to drink. I sought every answer under the sun to alleviate the symptoms; every answer that is but to stop drinking and look at the root cause of why I couldn't stop and more importantly stay stopped.
Stopping and staying stopped were two separate issues. I couldn't stop once I started. I couldn't stop starting. I could not not drink over any considerable period of time. I had resolve. I sought solutions.
I sought help from psychiatrists, psychologists, MDs and a thousand medical tests, anti-anxiety / anti-depressants, through diet, through working out, massage therapy, religion, meditation, supplements, sex, spending money buying shit....I tried it all. Nothing made me feel better for long enough that a drink wouldn't finally become a good idea at some point, and then the cycle would start.
Someone finally told me how they felt the same way, and then diligently worked the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. They told me going to meetings would help me on the fringes day to day, but that the lasting relief was through working the steps. They also pointed out that not only did I have nothing to lose and it wouldn't cost me anything. If I did it and didn't get something out of it then I was no worse off than I was when I started.
I did just that and have continued to do just that and I got not only the relief that I was seeking, but a better life than I'd imagined was possible when I was staring at the thought of life with or without drinking. That was 10 years ago and counting.
You might consider adding the work of the PROGRAM of Alcoholics Anonymous to your repertoire....not just attending meetings...but doing the work and see what happens.
Just one guy's experience.
Godspeed,
Reagan