Originally Posted by
chrisepic 
Nothings changes if nothing changes. And there sure isn't a reason for "testing" yourself if you're an addict/alcoholic by going into the war zone.
You've already admitted that you're trying to rationalize the irrational. That's got to be of some value to you right there. If reinventing yourself is what it takes to stay alive then there you have it.
A war zone?
Where is the fight honestly happening in a sans-alcohol life?
In an active addiction, a war zone mentality makes some practical sense because of the destructiveness of abusing alcohol/drugs. On the other hand, a properly experienced sans-alcohol/drug life is no longer enslaved within the mentality of 'fighting' whatever wherever -- especially alcohol/drug abuse-- to sustain abstinence.
So-called testing opportunities can neither fail or succeed because the requisite struggle is non-existent. The testing itself would be delusional and unimportant.
Reinvention can easily allow for a non-combatant sans-alcohol/drug life of happiness, joy, and freedom to be the best we can be, and be ourselves, no matter our immediate enviromental experiences.
I do agree that nothing changes if nothing changes. And so, unless one has stopped fighting the useless fight with addiction, then of course temptation is everywhere, and failure is eventually guaranteed, imo.