It's a disease. That's not making excuses for myself. I am not asking anyone to feel sorry for me. It's a DISEASE. Would you say judgmental things to someone with diabetes?

Mike, I highly doubt Tracy would say something judgmental to a person with diabetes. But I think she might say something (as would I) if someone had diabetes and regularly jammed a bunch of Hershey Bars down his/her mouth. And that's what you're doing.

I have not given up on myself. Have come close sometimes. But I know I have a good mind and a big heart. Do you contribute money after every natural disaster? I do. Most recently I gave money to a cause solicited by Bill Kuhn, which was probably the first thing I agreed with him about since Bobby Orr. I took an unpaid week from work after Hurricane Katrina and went to Houston. Did you do that? I took one drink the entire week, a margarita at a (sensational) Mexican restaurant near the black Baptist church where we were all staying. One afternoon I shot baskets for a couple of hours in the church gym with a kid who had lost his whole family. I showed him the proper way to shoot a jump shot. It's not squared up to the basket, BTW. That's what unknowledgeable coaches almost everywhere teach their players. Took him out of his horrifying thoughts for a couple of hours. Please, don't lecture me. I will emerge. At least I realize how bad off I am.

That's (sincerely) a nice story. And if you think you're able to provide value to the lives of others (and to yourself), that's all the more reason TO KEEP THAT GODDAMN BOTTLE AWAY FROM YOUR MOUTH.