Originally Posted by
PeacefulWater12 
So when they quit as you said yourself, they don't have coping techniques to deal with life. So a lot of us need to learn how to run a healthy life along with putting right the train wreck of messes we have generally created, also apologies and amends to the people we have mistreated under our entitled "right" to drink!
Interesting thread and discussion. The issue that springs into my mind is "terminal uniqueness". Although most of us seem to have that so not so unique after all!
Interesting point, PeacefulWater12.
It seems most alcoholics are terminally unique, as you concede. If the designation can be conferred on anyone, then it can be conferred on no one in particular. I often find the designation an exercise in projection, more than anything else.
With respect to coping mechanisms, I'm not devoid, or barren of them. I have plenty, but I acknowledge that they're not as acute as I'd like, and most certainly can be honed.