Tetra,
Your post really hit home to me. Your friend is right. Alcohol is used by addicts to cope with something difficult. But what is that difficult something?
My main goal for sobriety (besides abstinence) is self-acceptance. It is something that comes after letting go. The urge to be perfect, to compare myself, to punish myself for mistakes lead me in a dark place. When I started being more mindful, I was shocked at the amount of negative self-talk I was doing. No wonder I felt like a wart!
The weekend is almost over. Early congratulations to everyone who spent it sober. Stay vigilant.