The line could be on physical vs psychological addiction. A person in my family was often getting drunk, and when drunk she would lose her self-control, become angry and aggresive, get physical. This landed her in jail and in front of a judge who issues some serious threats. She eventually returned home and stopped drinking. She never had withdrawal symptoms though. As far as I know she still drinks, but not that much, does not get drunk, and appears in control, and at ease with her life and family. It sorts of supports her claim that she was not an alcoholic, which no one who saw her believed. Perhaps getting drunk was something she sought to let herself "lose it" and blow off the steam.