There are those who must identify very deeply and strongly as alcoholic and/or addict. I have been struck by how powerful, for some, this "disease" really is. The risk of death, or worse, is always there if they forget. And, yea, for some, recovery does need to be a second career.
But, of course, this is not the case for many. Stopping the drink or drug, making some changes in their lives, maybe a new set of friends... that's enough... just don't or drug.
There is no one answer here for everyone.