My mom moderated and cut down when she realized she was getting close to crossing the line. Her whole family were alcoholic and she was afraid it would get out of hand for her, too. She never crossed the line because she cut back in time, so she could have a half of a wine cooler and stop. I on the other hand, crossed the line and can no longer moderate or control it. There are many who see a potential problem long before it gets bad, and stop the obsession and mental craving. I wouldn't consider those types alcoholic. That is why I think the term "real alcoholic" is somewhat redundant, I'm either alcoholic or I'm not (definetly am lol). Yeah it's real to me, but not any more real all the other alcoholics out there. I don't know if I made any sense. I guess what I'm saying is that maybe down, you're one of those people who stopped before you crossed the line, who can now moderate, who doesn't need help, and that's why you don't want to hear about AA. That's I can make sense of.