Doctor, Why Can't I Stop Drinking?

OVER AND over in my office, I hear alcoholics say, "Now that I understand I have a problem, I'll stop drinking. But I'll do it my way." I see them come back after the next bender wondering why their way didn't work--and sometimes willing to listen to me when I say, "You can't stop drinking, but you can substitute totally for drinking, so that you'll never have to drink again."