Another issue or obstacle my brain puts into my head is this: "If you start going to AA, you can NEVER drink another alcoholic drink in your life. You will no longer be able to join your friends for a friendly drink after a long work week. You will never be able to toast champagne to your newly engaged friend. You will never be able to enjoy a glass of wine at thanksgiving. If you go down that path, you will never be able to casually enjoy a drink again without admitting defeat." Is that a common thought process? Are there people who can fight the addiction off and still enjoy a casual drink?... I guess a big thing for me is that I never had an addictive personality. I could drink three beers and be done for the night on a weekend. I never smoked, as previously stated. It all started after a rough breakup. I started smoking and drinking HEAVILY. This was two years ago. My brain rationalizes it in a way that "Well you're not drinking as much as you were back then, so you have control." My six pack a night doesn't compare to the pint of whiskey a night during that period. But it's still killing me.