Originally Posted by
ReadyAndAble 
By the end, when drinking offered no actual relief, only shame and fear, I think the idea of drinking became the only real source of pleasure. Classic example of the AV conjuring an image of alcohol completely unrelated to the reality. I think that was the hardest thing to overcome—the myth of alcohol, the fantasy.
That's it, R&A. I got to the point sometime not so long ago where I realized that the drinking had become the goal rather than the effect of the drinking. This makes it much easier to separate AV from the girl.
And I agree with you that it may be one of the hardest things to overcome. However, I think that
recognizing it is significant progress.