One thing I always remember being told a few years back was "You are not unique and your experiences aren't that special" Like a toddler throwing a tantrum, I argued against that and tried to justify why my life was so much different than everyone else, why I was so special. I special'd myself into a year and a half of extreme binge drinking. I then woke up one day and realized I couldn't keep that up. so I tapered off. And here I am now.
It's only been very recently that I understood exactly what those words meant and how powerful they are. He wasn't trying to insult me. He was trying to help. I hope one day I can see him again to tell him he did help. I just take a long time admitting it sometimes.
Honestly though, if drinking truly was the cure all we want it to be, the whole world would be alcoholics.