I agree that there is some sort of chemical imbalance/reaction deep in the mind and that ultimately addiction controls the subconscious, which makes the choice in most cases, without that person's knowledge. I've been there, played that game where I went back back back back....till back was pretty much no longer an option, it would have been death that time.

The reason I posted this is to not necessarily convince an addict to simply make a choice, but to acknowledge that the little choices, which are much easier to make and actually do, can be as simple as a decision.

I'll use my mother for an example. If she was to do these few simple things, like change her phone number, devote herself to keeping busy, and maybe talking with sponsors would help her. These decisions don't involve a lot of work, you could do them all sitting at the desk...ya know. But in most cases addicts aren't even mindful enough to realize this because what's on their mind is "how am I gonna get high, what do I gotta do to get high, how can I get some money, and how will I avoid the consequences of getting high." It's all entirely too simple, yet it's so difficult to get to that first step.

I'm sure some of you disagree, which is fine, I respect that. But from the point, in and out, I see it all so clearly now. All the things I had done back when I was using, and how simple it would have been to stop if I was willing to make a few simple sacrifices. It would have saved me from a world of hurt and suffering.

Thanks all for your responses....but answer me this, if you could describe addiction/alcoholism as a object, how would it appear?

BTW, I never once claimed I was an expert, but if anybody was to understand addiction, I definitly think it would be the addicts themselves...wouldn't you agree?