Sorry about the late response to these comments and questions, but Scabby has been on a long sabbatical.

In response to your question (?) I would have to say that, in my experience, untreated abstinence from any addiction can lead an addict to a place where the ”cure” is often worse than the disease itself. That’s why the 12 step programs like AA and NA have proven to be so effective for treating the root causes of addictions. Simply put, for many years of abstinence, I was a bigger asshole sober than I ever was drunk, and I stayed that way for many years until I got into the 12 step recovery process. Once one stops taking the numbing agents to treat their addiction, there has to be a whole psychic change to accompany the process and lead the addict or alcoholic into a program of recovery, usually of a spiritual nature. If not, once the drugs or booze are gone, the sufferer becomes “restless, irritable and discontent” to quote the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous — which is a pretty rough way to live, not only for the addict, but for just about anybody unfortunate enough to have to come into contact with them. I’m just glad I found the 12 step programs, as it truly is the ”easier, softer way” to treat the disease of addiction. Good luck.