[Loughla]

That's actually unbelievably eye-opening for me. I'm dealing with a family member who, for the last three years, has slid into alcoholism head first. We've not been able to put an identifier on when or why it started, but it started. Looking at it now, though, he has always been the kind of person who has a 'project' going at home that he is unbelievably tied up in; woodworking, singing, hunting, metalworking. Always something. We've always assumed it was some kind of high-functioning autism or some other kind of tic caused by his childhood.

Looking at it with your lens, though, it's just an addictive personality. He's always gone full-bore into everything. Always. Now, instead of a socially acceptable 'hobby,' it's drinking.

Shit. That makes perfect sense.

[sterlingross]

I am glad that perspective helped, it has helped me tremendously. If you are more curious, I'd suggest investigating the book called A Course In Miracles. It clearly defines the addictive thinking patterns and the way through them.