And because:

--It's no fun lying in a hospital bed in the ER on Christmas day hooked up to a buch of machines that are all beeping because none of of your vital signs are normal, and you're shaking so bad with the DT's that you can't even take the pills the docs are trying give you to bring your heart rate down.

--It's less fun to hear them taking about the drunk in room 4.

--Thinking you're going to die and nobody will know where you are or be able to contact your family because you were too blitzed when you were admitted to give them an emergency contact.

--It's even less fun when you're starting to sober up, and a Dr says to your face - there's no point in treating you - you'll just drink again.

--hearing yourself described as a "chronic alcoholic" does absolutely nothing for your ego.

--having to leave your groceries and dash out of the store to a garbage can so you can puke is no fun and embarrassing.

--being fired for being drunk at work really does not enhance your chances of getting a good reference.

--Having to detox 4 times at the same hospital starts to become humiliating after a while - no matter how nice the nurses are.

--running out of money half way between paychecks cause you've spent it all on booze really sucks.

--Having to face people you've hurt, let down, embarrased yet again, disappointed after you've promised them it will never happen again.

Seriously no short term high is worth the long term downs associated with using. Took me too long to learn that.