Alcohol Self-Medication?

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Back in the day, before I had any diagnoses or even an inkling of what Asperger's was, I hd an unruly mind. It's energy was either way up or way down (usually down). Some days I was highly articulate, on others I couldn't string a sentence together. And I was terrified of crowds as often as I sought them out.
One thing which seemed to help, to smooth out all of the imperfections, at least temporarily, was booze. After I had consumed a large amount of hard liquor, I did not get drunk but was rather granted a window of clarity (with awful circumstances later). I began hitting a bar every day (easy in Florida!) and had never felt so normal. I wonder what percentage of barflies are mentally ill before they touch the stuff?
Anyways, drinking exacts a terrible toll, finacially and otherwise, so i have stopped completely. But its weird how, for a while, it was the best medicine for my considerable woes.

I don't know the statistics, but addiction issues are common enough with people who have mental health issues. They also tend to start drinking and/or using drugs at a younger age. I know it was true for me. I dunno how many regulars at bars deal with mental health issues. It can be a diverse crowd. I'd rule out the newly 21 crowd and the other younger ones. As for the older folks who end up being regulars, I'd guess more have some psych issue than don't.

I never have managed to become addicted to anything besides cigarettes. I got lucky. Still, I find that the one or two times I go out each month with my better half, I end up at least tipsy. Booze takes the edge off the whole being out thing for me.