The Punishment for Addiction

(Vatchi): I'll tell you what he's trying to hide, Sotto. He's trying to hide from himself that alcohol, that desire for alcohol, his addiction to alcohol, replaced all other desires, finally, and nearly, the desire to live. 
   More of addiction is less of everything else. 
   The denial continues. 
   The denial changes hands. 
   Sobriety continues. Life goes on. Time takes time. 
   He's going through this so that he can get that.

The punishment for addiction is time served.

from All Drinking Aside (Rough Draft, Chapter 23)