This is a very important reason many people turn to vices. Including Hobbying. To fill a void or something causing you hurt and pain.
Usually self inflicted mentally or by your view of yourself and the world.
Identifying, taking responsibility etc for it is indeed a big step some often cannot do alone and may need help.
I myself would sip a beer or have a scotch once in a while.
My Dad drank heavily through social meetings at the staff club on Fridays.
He was usually the one buying endless rounds.
He also entertained numerous "friends" at home during Christmas etc where the focus was drinking.
Drinking was attached to his sense of belonging and having friends I suppose.
Once he stopped buying rounds and inviting friends over to drink numerous bottles with him, his fellow drinkers dwindled in numbers.
He eventually stopped years before retiring and after retirement did do it for a while moderately before stopping again.
It's one of the reasons I never liked alcohol nor smokes that much and stayed away from it for the most part.
Seeing how one or the other or both destroyed my Dad and his family.
He often got violent some say due to the pagan/religious sacrificial rituals his family performed where demons would actually come upon them,orgies,excessive alcohol consumption etc.
He would never remember the things he did after becoming sober or at least he claims.
Maybe that's what made him stop. Remembering all the hurt and pain he caused over the years.
Alcohol like any vice in excess will damage/compromise the spirit.
Don't mean to rehash the religious thread here Big but when my Dad stopped the first of several times ,he was reading volumes of books he bought from some Hare Krishna guys.
My Dad is not Baptized nor goes to church etc
Not sure if it's the inspirational and motivational stories or what got him.
Sometimes tough circumstances call for tough solutions.
Best of luck to you whatever path you choose.
Realizing you have a problem is the first step to dealing with it.
