I just read through this thread tonight and I find the discussion surrounding AVRT to be very interesting.
I have been an everyday beer drinker, heavy smoker, and a few other abusive uses of substances for most of my life (the last 33 years) but I do not really view any of that as a disease at all. I also do not feel that there is any excuses beyond the fact that part of me wanted to do it and so I did.
Since I have stopped drinking alcohol (138 days) and now smoking (19 days) I also have no desire to avoid people. places or things out of fear. I may avoid them because I want to but I do not want to live in fear. I have decided that I will not use any of these things anymore and that is that. At least that is the way I want it to be and the way I see it could be. It is a decision I could make.
I plan on reading more about AVRT. It seems to me that there is alot I could learn from it.