Although different substance, I'm a heavy smoker and moderation has always proved impossible. I've kicked the habit once by NRT and once cold turkey. I'd gone

Although different substance, I'm a heavy smoker and moderation has always proved impossible. I've kicked the habit once by NRT and once cold turkey. I'd gone well long enough for any physical withdrawal symptoms (many months). Both times, I thought just one wouldn't hurt, socially. Both times I started right back up again. There was a time I could smoke socially. I know people who did that and then went on to live a smoke free life. On the flip side, I've known smokers go years without and just one "oh go on then" hooked them right back on it. So if nicotine addiction is anything to go by, it would be possible in other addictions too. Unfortunately, the only alcoholics I knew lost their battle and never achieved any semblance of sobriety. They were both at a point where the withdrawal would kill them without clinical supervision.