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I think it is complicated and varies from person to person. I have coping skills, a career, family and a life and used to just drink socially. Before I knew it, I was hiding alcohol, lying about how much I was consuming and having problems with almost every aspect of my life. Since alcohol was impacting me negatively and putting me in contact with law enforcement, I had to really evaluate how I had gotten to that point. So I decided to give up drinking altogether and I credit AA with getting me where I needed to be. Severn years sober for me. I have never tried any hard drugs and wouldn’t, but it isn’t much of a leap to see myself hooked on something. Scares me still.

I think it is complicated and varies from person to person. I have coping skills, a career, family and a life and used to just drink socially.

Before I knew it, I was hiding alcohol, lying about how much I was consuming and having problems with almost every aspect of my life. Since alcohol was impacting me negatively and putting me in contact with law enforcement, I had to really evaluate how I had gotten to that point.

So I decided to give up drinking altogether and I credit AA with getting me where I needed to be. Severn years sober for me. I have never tried any hard drugs and wouldn’t, but it isn’t much of a leap to see myself hooked on something. Scares me still.

Actually, in our experience, it is very difficult to find individuals who are NOT 'addicted' to something. The DEGREE of the addiction is important but addiction is still addiction regardless of the degree.

However, a mild OCD addiction is seriously different from a compulsive sexual or violence addiction, in some significant respects.

CONGRATS on your 7 years of abstinence and sobriety! That is no small accomplishment. Re-wiring one's life is about as difficult as re-wiring one's brain.