This here question is a perfect example of what I call 'thinking too much'.
You, me, and the rest of us around here (Callie notwithstanding) ARE ADDICTS/ALKIES. We are in the grips of a progressive illness for which there is no known cure. Left untreated, the ends of which are always the same: Jails, institutions, and death.
Surrender ... accept ... survive.
There's some black and white for you, sugar
However, if you INSIST on doing some deep thinking, my best suggestion is that do some pondering on WHY you are really ASKING this question. Where does it all 'lead to', if you will? What's the point of utilizing brain-cycles on the question?