From articles and research I've delved into ... some of us are actually pre-disposed or internally wired towards addiction ... be it with gambling, drinking alcohol or taking drugs. To fight one's addiction is hard enough ... to fight one's INHERITED addiction is doubly so!

My paternal grandfather had a drinking problem ... my own father is tea-total because of the environment he was raised in. I'm able to have a drink or more if I wish and stop quite happily. However my brother can sometimes go overboard and finds that level of where the 'one too many' kicks in can change. His daughter can be much the same ... which is a worry as she's totally gorgeous and just doesn't seem to know when to stop sometimes.

I've never had anything to do with AA ... but I do believe it's a program that works for those who truly wish to work through their problem. The 12 Step Program will never stop the addiction to alcohol ... it will always be there ... but it is something to focus on for those who are able to stick to it.

As Ron pointed out ... it's when people are at their lowest ebb that the urge to drink, gamble or take drugs is strongest. So easy to revert back to that comfortable level where the pain is taken away by the substance of choice. I can totally understand that ... I can also understand that the constant battle to keep a lid on the addiction ... is tiring, time consuming and relentless.

Ron's statement ... Best to take care of the HALT issue first before doing anything else ... is VERY wise advice!