I do believe that alcoholism is hereditary. Some people can drink for years and just up and quit, I do not believe these people are truly alcoholics. I could never just quit using or drinking on my own. Alcoholism/addiction and mental illness run rampant in my family. My pdoc believes that I used drugs and alcohol to survive my bipolarism. It was either use and get FUBARed or kill myself, so I think I can say that drugs and alcohol saved my life on many occassions. I have been sober for 17 years Jan. 2nd and the last 3 years I wanted to use every day all day long. As for AA, it saved my life, PERIOD. I have friends who just quit and went on with their lives and were happy. Go figure. FWIW, MHO is that if you drink or drug and your behavior changes, you may want to take a look at yourself. Good luck.