Hi Vince, I too was an addict by the time I was 13...that is a really young age to be escaping by the way of alcohol and drugs. Because of using at such a young age, I failed to develop other coping methods. Stopping drinking was one of the toughest things I have ever done. Not only did I have to stop drinking, I had to learn how to cope with the world. Counseling was absolutely needed--no way I could have made it without it. I elected not to do AA, but that meant I had to work extra hard on developing my own recovery program. Reading recovery literature was an important component to staying sober. It helped keep my mind off drinking and on recovery. Getting sober was not easy, but I am so happy I did it--it has been one of the best things in my life. Today, I would not trade my sobriety for anything.