I recall my therapist once telling me that she didn't believe I was a "genetic alcoholic", that my drinking started as a way of dealing with my dysfunctional family and eventually took on a life of its own. When asked if this meant I should consider moderate drinking, she said "given your 25 year history of daily, blackout drinking, I would absolutely NOT recommend that you take any chances with drinking!" I think that was excellent advice. Besides, I'm comfortable with abstinence. Why mess with what's working so well?