It is true. Once an addict, or alcoholic, always an alcoholic or addict. There are probably thousands of stories to back that up. People who wouldn't, or couldn't, or didn't want to believe that it was a lifelong "sentence," picked up another drink, or pill, bargaining with themselves, and God, that they could control themselves. Just like gamblers with a gambling addiction, and people that cannot control their eating. Can you imagine how difficult that would be? We can live without narcotics, or booze, but we have to eat. Once you realize that you are powerless over whatever you are addicted to, and ask God, or your higher power for help, then you have opened the door to sobriety. When you think if it in terms of one day at a time, it is much easier to wrap your head around, than projecting about staying sober your entire life.