I think the idea of a "good" path and a "bad" path might be simplifying it a bit much, in my experience. Looking back, obviously I was not on the "good" path (I prefer the term "healthy") but when I was on that path, that was the only path I saw. It was the only one I was aware of. It started out good, then was ok, then got thorny, then was hellish. I didn't know how to jump ship. I didn't even know that I could get healthy - alcoholism had me right where it wanted me. It wasn't until I was beat down enough that I could see that other "healthy" path. And I am glad I embarked on that.
What a journey.