Thank you for sharing your thoughts here based on your personal experience. Grabbing a pill can feel "american" or even "western" in some respects, but it is good to have options! I have no problem with anybody that choose to abstain from drinking; but I am also aware that it can make social occasions more than a little awkward at times. I have two drinks a week - max; my personal choice, as I have learned how harmful alcohol can be when taken to excess. There certainly is a mental or spiritual component to overcoming addiction - something we can certainly learn from more "eastern" type healing practices. And, like you, I don't suggest that means "pray away the addiction". Healing has many component, sometimes you need to apply a combination to get to the desired outcome. Not sure I would agree that Miller was looking to continue drinking; my takeaway is that he noticed how many people were not being helped by the existing treatment through AA and started to look for other potential treatment methods. I could be wrong...