I'm a recovering alcoholic with almost 26 years of sobriety under my belt. I'm sure it has as much to do with my illness as genetics (lots of problem drinkers in the family). I think it is a disease, even though you can choose not to drink. The compulsion is still there, no matter how long you've been sober. I can still taste alcohol if I think about it, and I STILL wish I could drink responsibly...but I can't, and no amount of time will ever fix that.