Originally Posted by
2granddaughters 
A) When the alcohol is taken away from the heavy drinker, the problem goes away.
B) When the alcohol is taken away from the Alcoholic, the problem just begins.
I've heard this pithy platitude countless times, always from people who have not seen their problems just 'go away', so how would they know anything about that? Most problem drinkers have racked up their share of screw-ups and destruction along the way, and
everyone who quits will have to contend with that, in addition to normal problems that everyone has. This does not make them a 'real alcoholic'.