I was brought up to believe that once you were an alcoholic, you were going to be one all of your life. All of my beliefs changed after I became addicted to drugs myself and got educated. Now, don't get me wrong, I have alot of respect for AA but did not agree with amny ideas they had there. For instance, that I was powerless and would be an addict all of my life. I went to a treatment center that changed my life and now I do not label myself an addict; when I was using I did, but not now. I guess it took me getting to a facility that finally was able to help me; you can too.