I regularely drink excessive amounts of alcohol. But I never crave it. Once a year, I quit for 1 to 6 months. It doesnt bother me at all, not even on day one. I drink for medical reasons, as an OTC relaxant against my PTSD. I don't even particularily enjoy drinking. Physical or mental dependence makes you an alcoholic. I have neither, no matter what. I can replace alcohol's benefits with alternative medication. But I am a bit of an oddball. I never get drunk, and have a 95% psychopath result on the MMPI2, because of probable brain damage. (I'm also the nicest guy ever!)