Hey bizi,
I've been reflecting on the same thing myself. Stripped down to the core, who am I? Am I even someone I'd recognize? It can be frightening to see how much we rely on other things to bring us worth or happiness.

I was once told a story about a boy who bought a very expensive pair of shoes, they made him popular and they were a neon green color. He was proud of them and the kids knew him as the boy with neon green shoes. But what happens if someone takes those shoes away -- who he is then? What impact is he to the world? What can he contribute without them? -- a very simplistic example of the concept -- we can't let ourselves be defined by the things that can be taken away. Character is developed internally and can be expressed externally, but never actually taken away. That kid may not have those neon green shoes anymore, but his sense of style and expression is still in there.

I am hopelessly addicted to my computer and internet. It's been my crutch and salvation and outlet for as long as I can remember (I am 28, so I grew up with a computer since I was like 10). I would be somewhat lost without it. It's where all my friends are, my life is written, my hobbies and desires are. Without it, I'd feel empty and incomplete -- but lately I have realized something. The computer isn't what makes me who I am. I express who I am via a computer.. My interests are still there, my hobbies, desires, dreams, skills, etc. Granted, I use this medium to achieve a lot of it and I would struggle without it, but I know when it comes down to it the same stimulation can be achieved elsewhere with the right motivation because the dream didn't die when my tangible object was taken away. I can still study languages (I use ebooks a lot for that), or support those with mental health issues and support me (find a physical meeting group), I can still read books (physical medium), write (pen and paper) -- my point is , there is always an alternative way to express yourself. You are NOT your addiction, you aren't even bound to it, it's just the one way of expression you'd become accustomed.

I hope I'm not falling too far from point here. I also hope I don't overstep my bounds, but I wanted to comment on the alcohol. I have had problems with alcohol (I'm not an alcoholic, but have received a DUI from a terrible night of fighting, drinking to numb the pain and trying to get away from my problems by driving to another town). Alcohol was a release from emotion for me. It's not ideal, but it's the only thing that could make it all melt away for awhile. I understand alcoholism is much more complex than just that. My father is an alcoholic with stage 3 cirrhosis, and he can't stop. The addiction is also physical (but again, I'm getting off point, lol). I needed a way to escape the pain, so I self medicated. There are better methods to do that, and I'm still searching for one that works for me, but anyway, they're all tools to remedy or express yourself.

What I want you to take from this is a thought process I've been having. I would feel empty if you took away those core things I have (including my addictions). I know that I am used to instant gratification, and accessibility to anything and everything. I also know this -- Everything stems from me. I am more than the facets you see.

So, bizi, I see you are compassionate and kind, caring, loving, honest, creative and entertaining. You take away alcohol, you take away the internet, you take away anything you want. I know bizi is STILL all those things and more. It's easy for us to become consumed with our limitations... I try to focus on the limitless possibilities of what we can achieve.

I hope this helps (and didn't sound preachy. lol)