"Uncontrolled anxiety, leading to self-medication, increased alcohol tolerance, and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol dependence is a real slippery slope to a shorter lifespan, and I'm seeing young people die from issues related to alcoholic liver disease. It turns into a case of beer/bottle of wine/1.75L vodka a day deal, and becomes impossible to stop without medical assistance. It can creep up on people without them realizing or intending it, and in the meantime, it sacrifices one's liver, brain, wallet, and relationships with people. I see SO MANY patients in varying stages of this, all from untreated to undertreated anxiety, which in MOST cases is untreated PTSD.