Two of my friends in Berlin have done rehab last year for alcohol addiction. One has all but stopped socializing. I can see firsthand how these two are struggling to restructure their lives in a way that enables them to hang out in a world that is not alcohol-free, nor ever will be.
It’s tough. I wish them the best.
At this point, if anyone hasn’t, they should count themselves in the lucky minority. 
Agree.
I think we are splitting hairs, here.
But OK, they are drunks or they are sober individuals.
Good luck to them… Unfortunately, the odds are stacked against them.
The difference is viewing alcoholism as an illness vs a personal failing.
There are no easy fixes. But I do know 2 people who have stayed sober for many years, with support from family, friends and AA. One has admitted to me that it is a daily struggle, but one he is determined to carry on with.
Sadly, I also know a few people who can’t get out from under the influence of drink or drugs.
Self help articles might raise awareness in others, but aren’t likely to help the actual addict.
I am rooting for both. We didn’t see one buddy all summer last year — he’d just come out of rehab, and when he met with our other buddy (who did rehab this previous fall) he got really pissed when Other Buddy had not one, but two beers in his presence
I hope the rehab program has given them the tools to navigate a world that is full of temptation, bc they will be surrounded by alcohol for the rest of their lives, unless they never leave the house. I also hope the program’s approach wildly differs from AA, which seems to set people up for failure if one single sip means the end of one’s sobriety.
But navigating moderation is obviously difficult, if not impossible for these poor souls.
That’s a whole different can of worms.
For the record, no one is ever going to convince me its an illness. Its a choice.
If I have an illness, I can’t choose not to have that illness.
Each morning a drunk wakes up, he/she can choose to open that bottle/can (alcoholic beverage) or not.
I’m sorry, but that is not true. An addict has no choice. Addiction is a disease.
I know someone who is close to me who became a heroin addict in his 20s. First marriage failed. He had a son with Wife Number 1. She had a drug problem, as well, and she abandoned him and his toddler son.
My friend got clean and found God. He married someone who was a recovering addict. They had a few kids. They had a drug-free home. They went to meetings.
His oldest son fell into a tough crowd after he graduated from high school. His son overdosed on Oxycontin when he was 18. My friend found his son, dead. The 18 yo had asphyxiated.
Then, my friend relapsed again. He was now in his 40s. Then more Rehab. Found God again. Then relapsed. Hepatitis. Rehab.
Then he had an orthopedic injury a few years ago, when he was in his 60s. He told the HCWs he couldn’t handle opioids. Prescribed painkillers regardless, which was a straw that broke his sobriety. He didn’t relapse with drugs this time, but he became an alcoholic. Another rehab. Back to God and fingers crossed.
We are all special cases.
So one has stayed completely sober, while the other one has had a few beers, correct??
How long has the one that stayed completely sober, been sober??
We are going to have to agree to disagree on that one.
No, the one who went into rehab first is sober, AFAIK. The other one didn’t go into rehab until September of last year. I’m not sure what either of their status is ATM, bc we are not in touch a lot when I’m out of the country.
Alcoholism is literally qualified as a medical condition, so it’s not really a matter of opinion.
If alcoholics could simply choose not to drink, well… they’d be like the folks in the article I posted. Perhaps we should go back on topic 
There is a psychological element and a physiological element to addiction.
@linguafood just posted about two friends, one went back to drinking (beers), the other did not.
One chose to open that can of beer, the other did not.
One chose not to have this illness.
Please reread my comment, as you misread it. I clarified after your followup question.
As for alcoholism being a choice, here’s some literature on the subject:
The choice part or willpower part comes into overcoming a psychological addiction.
The physiological part of the addiction makes it more difficult for the addict.
Have you ever read about the Bears who were forced to dry out?
Unbelievably cruel to turn animals into addicts.
Here is some credible information about Alcohol Abuse.
There you said it “difficult” but not impossible, thus not an illness – a choice.
