Started drinking (getting drunk) around 16ish, when I had my big 'episode' aged 20 I was going out every night, drinking as much as I could. I never considered it self-medicating at the time though. Oddly enough, I spent a lot of time around drug dealers/users, but never felt the need to take up their offers.

I don't take any recreational drugs (I worry that I wouldn't be able to stop) but when things get too much I self-medicate with sleeping pills. I get into a real panic if I don't have any, just in case. I think if drugs were available to me now I would definitely be asking/begging for them at times.