I was a hardcore alcoholic for quite awhile. Drinking about 1/3 to 1/2 a bottle of high quality bourbon a night, every night, sometimes more. I was going through a divorce, separation from my daughter and a very stressful job. After awhile I came to realize that I couldn't function during the work day w/o a drink. Then only then I knew I had a problem. So I self referred for help. Quit cold turkey before a three week 8 hour a day period of classes with other addicts. Had to be admitted to the hospital for a week for detox and alcohol withdrawal sickness and was still on benzo's for about a year. Make a long story short, after going through all that I could not tell myself that I would never had a drink ever again. I just enjoyed it too much. It took a while but believe it or not there is more control now with my alcohol intake then I've ever had before. I probably now have about two drinks a week. Do I miss being euphoric and numb all the time? Yes.. Will I ever be in that same situation again drinking myself till I can't stand every night? I cannot say. I just live in the now and recall what I went through to maintain control.