Jim: you make so many good points in your reply, I must first congratulate you on your insights.  What you leave out, however, is what I wrote about pedophiles (and it is legally and clinically defined as children under the age of 10) who have been engaged in Sex Offender-Specific Treatment, a highly specialized and well researched therapy.  The facts are that as a result of treatment, even pedophiles can reach the level of control you so clearly have with your alcoholism.  Both are debilitating and dangerous syndromes, but many of both disorders achieve a level of social functioning that allows them to live safely in the community.  Yet neither one is "cured" of the problem, both continue at times to "think" of alcohol or kids, but as you have found for yourself, it is manageable because of a whole lot of new skills developed once the problem is faced directly.  I pray for your continued well-being, and that you for your thoughts.