I'm glad I wrote this, as I got better advice than I hoped. Looks like I found the right place.
As for my doctor, she is an addiction specialist and psychologist that I see for depression. I've known her for years and I asked if she thought I was an alcoholic.
I guess the reason I make the distinction about the mental vs. physical is that you think you can control the mental side of things, even if you know better. Like I said, it's kind of scarey that I even think about drinking considering I know I'm better off without it.
How long until you don't miss it anymore? It took me 6 years before I didn't miss smoking.