I have found this a challenging thread to read, probably because I'm early in sobriety. By all accounts, I probably am an alcohol abuser, but as has been said, what difference does it make if alcohol is ruining my life?
My addicted brain grabs onto 'well if you're not alcohol dependant and are an abuser of alcohol, then you can start drinking again and just learn to control it'...Argh!!
For me personally, whether I am an abuser or dependant, Alcohol controls me. Without it...I have a life. Life is no longer a mess. Alcohol sucks....period!!