I am not saying this lightly or provocatively but when you seriously consider how painful life can be, the all-but-unspeakable losses & personal suffering, you actually wonder why EVERYONE is not self-medicating.
I did not have that thought until mid-life; it was not a thought I could have entertained in younger years when I believed more in self-sufficiency, strength of will.
some people overestimate their strength- it can be quite a surprise when life knocks you flat.
I realized this when I watched the film "Leaving Los Vegas" very late one night after my husband had died--suddenly, I totally understood this film & Cage's performance.
before, I'd had no interest in seeing it at all, as I had thought it glorified alcoholism. but--the contrary. it was a revelation how my own experience had transformed my experience of the film & others like it exploring the roots of addiction.