Originally Posted by
HarryB 
...they seem to think alcoholism is just a bad habit that can be easily curbed with the slightest application of will power.
It doesn't matter what they think. What do you think? Do you think alcoholism can be easily curbed with the slightests application of willpower? Do you think it can be curbed with a serious application of willpower? And more importantly, what do your actions indicate? It's one thing to have a belief, but what I really believe is demonstrated by my actions.
If I believe that alcoholism is a very serious, fatal condition, and that I need to do whatever it takes to stay sober, then my actions indicate that belief. If my actions indicate that I can casually just avoid or control drinking, then that's really what I believe, despite what I might say.