Re-quoting from my Good Friend '9''s post above:"The disease of alcoholism may be compared to that of diabetes--while the individual is not responsible for developing the disease, he or she is responsible for carefully following a treatment program once they know they have it. As with other chronic diseases, the symptoms of alcoholism may "go away" with treatment, but the disease is still present in a controlled form. In other words, the disease is in remission as long as the alcoholic doesn't use alcohol. Although incurable and potentially fatal, it is important to remember that alcoholism is also among the most treatable of all chronic diseases."
          Speaking as an Alcoholic & a Diabetic, I know & understand the wisdom of those words. They encapsulate the core of the problem.
          Final words from '9': "One's too many and a hundred's not enough." Eight words worth memorising,
                   Nigel.