Chrisite,
you hit the nail with your assessment. It truely does rob the soul. The disease lingers long afterwards as well. Even after several years, the depression can drive me to drink. That's why, it's so hard for us to stop.
The misery from using isn't as bad as the misery we feel sober
I don't know how to explain it any other way then that.
Sometimes, it's surley a divine intervention. As the song says, Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.