I guess each person has his or her own way of dealing with things, I just think there is more damage done when people say "Oh you don't have a disease suck it up." This is just not true, I was an alcoholic from the first time I drank, and addict from the first time I used, there was never a "Normal" for me. The idea that addiction or alcoholism was a choice is just not true. I was 11 years old the first time I used, are you implying I somehow should have known what was going to happen? That I should have "Just been strong?" am sorry but that attitude will keep people in addiction for a long time. I guess you never had someone tell you, "Oh you should just quit." I did, and I couldn't. I do identify as an addict, that way I have a reminder of what I can go back to anytime if I so choose. You are right that once you are sober and know about the disease then it is a choice to continue or not, But to imply that you should jusy knuckle down to get sober if false, and that attitude is killing people. For the first time in the United States, opiate overdose is the number one accidental killer. We need to help those people who are dealing with it, most did not ask for it, they were led there by their doctors. Telling them to just suck it up is not going to help anyone.