Very good thread , after being a pro athlete for most of my twenties , I never touched alcohol and always was into the bodybuilding lifestyle from a young age it wasn't my discipline of choice , anyways I stopped that Carreer and at the same time suffered divorce , and somehow I found alcohol and dug a very deep black hole with it for some two years or so
Gym and bodybuilding saved my life , it keeps me focused and away from all that , yes I do have relapses every now and again for a few weeks but they are years apart and I am very thankfully for that and they too are getting much further apart
Wish I could help more people , but as has been mentioned something inside of us needs to switch , to give you that strength to face that first day, and then the second and then the third and until someone finds that catalyst then there is no hope
For the outside world to assist ! I don't look down on those suffering with it as the moment because I know the monumental strength it takes , and I also know that under the influence is not where you want to be but you feel powerless to stop your actions