BigS, I still remember my husband the crack addict/alcoholic saying to me "well, I can drink a beer or two if I want because I'm not an alcoholic, I'm an addict. Now you? You are an alcoholic. You can't drink." I looking at him incredulously. That was shortly before my last relapse.
While I did prove him right, that I can't drink, it was such an asinine thing for him to say. Gateway drug all the way. I think if one is addicted to anything, alcohol is just the toehold the other addiction needs. Think about the number of smokers who quit and only light up after a few beers. "Danger, Will Robinson".