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For years, I uttered the same line to myself with a tone that resembled self-hatred every time I faced another negative consequence from my drinking: "You did this to yourself."

Whether it was missing work after a night of heavy drinking, an ultimatum from a loved one, or a bad fight with my boyfriend after the second bottle of wine, the same line would echo in my head as I sat with the consequences.

So when I walked out of Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital with a diagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder in my hand, for a moment, I felt relieved. Finally, there was an explanation for my behavior—it was not all my fault.

But the relief only lasted a moment before another feeling crept in: powerlessness.

When it was all my fault, at least I could do something about it. But if it was not my fault, then did it also mean that there was nothing I could do about it?

For years, I felt as if I was forced to choose between two equally dreadful options: staying in self-blame or forfeiting my power.

Two Incomplete Stories About Addiction

We have been told different stories about addiction. Once upon a time, there was the story of blame. We believed that addiction was about weak character, moral failure, and ultimately, bad choices. Over time, our understanding evolved, and we began to call it a disease.

The new narrative offered a much more compassionate view of those who........

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