Originally Posted by
awuh1 
"I'm using the same word "success" to describe two very different things." Yes you are. And because these two very different things are in fact opposites, it demonstrates a problem with the reasoning.
Well, from my own personal experience:
I succeeded quite well at keeping my losses to a minimum during the time I chose to drink dependently. I loved the deep pleasure and, up to the very end, decided it was worth the risk.
THEN:
I changed my mind about leading the life of a dependent drinker.
AND:
I succeeded quite well at becoming permanently abstinent.
CONSEQUENTLY:
I believe my reasoning does not demonstrate a problem.