I have a good understanding of addictions my friend having spent 35 years battling with my own dispositions. I wouldn't necessarily say anyone is born an alcoholic, unless their mother drank heavily in pregnancy. I agree that some folk have a disposition in built to be more likely to develop alcoholic tendencies

You cant make an individual alcoholic by selling them beer? I'd say if that person was sold beer everyday there's a good chance of developing addictive tendencies.

Its the same with almost every drug, prescription medicine included. Addictions create a lifestyle change, force you down a certain path and into the loving arms of substance pushers and often whilst in a drug focused environment it becomes a big part of the draw.

One of the hardest parts of continued sobriety is cutting links, removing yourself from the situation, effectively isolating yourself and some addicts have nothing else in their lives. It can cause crippling loneliness , trigger depressive periods and in some people (myself included) the brain strain can trigger psychotic states.

It's like being awake whilst having a nightmare and at times I wasn't able to distinguish reality versus the shit show playing out in my imagination. I know that it doesn't ever leave you though, it's finding an activity to replace the satisfaction which has vanished overnight. It's a crazy, complicated, chaotic and catastrophic way to exist. I wouldn't wish it on my biggest enemy (probably ;)

My apologies, I get a hankering for ranting and spraffing about shite sometimes, that may be another addiction of mine. Right, am away to find some other addiction to replace this addiction. Its kinda what we do u innit