Alcoholisn is also a mental illness. When alcoholics get sober they're shocked to learn that they identify closely with other alcoholics. It is a physical, mental and spiritual disease. Nobody knows why some people can get sober but others simply can't, even when they try. In the end, it's about choice: am I going to drink or not drink today? There's enormous support out there for people who crave alcohol but want to stop ... AA saved my life but I had to choose each day not to drink.