Well that may be one way to find out. of course you would not find out right away many are not able to find out fast. Or jsut do not relalize it.It does not take someone that is out in the street only drinking to be at a bottom there are many bottoms. and yets When I first went to AA I was in a state hospital. In there I was takeing something for coming out of drinking so much. I took mine and two other peoples meds they did not want them. so I was back in heaven and high at the same time. when I went to the Dr. on duty now in the hallway I had bounced off the walls really from one side to the other. and the pdoc said I may not be an alce what great news that was. after I got out it was another from 1978- 1990 I got to prove to myself I was when did it start might have been the day I got out in 1978 or a long time before. I know I changed when I drank and used drugs thats what make me one not the amount of use I had. Hope this may answer a little of the questions you had.