I was addicted to opiotes for 6+ years, I had drank for 20 when I kicked the pills but didn't drink out of controll. I drank a lot, and surely had a problem but it was controlable.
When I kicked I turned to alcohol to help with insomnia and all that **** that goes along with withdrawal and developed a nasty alcohol problem. When I was taking all the pills one drink would put me asleep. When I quit I just drank all day and all night.
I definatly replaced one with the other, now I'm trying to kick the alcohol for good. This time I just get to deal with the PAWS.