The only thing I know for sure is that when I was drinking, even when I wasn't drunk, I wasn't in my right mind. I had become wrapped up in the idea that I needed alcohol to cope with life, that I needed it to be at peace and have some form of happiness. Only now since I've gotten sober, do I realize how crazy that was.
In any case, mental illness or disease, I'm not sure what the difference is, my brain wasn't working properly.
For those who are already firmly in the choice side of the argument, this is a video that I doubt you'll get far into. For those on the disease side, this is a video that will probably have your complete and total attention for the whole 70 minutes.:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hz6-2NwRzE