Thanks.
Lol, I didn't give it enough time for anything to shift. Time elapsed from first drink to first visit to rehab: about two years. Alcohol turned my go-get-em into don't-give-a-flying-fuck (as in standing on the roof, drunk on shine chucking beer bottles at passing police cruisers) , and that just don't end well.
In re:withdrawals, 0 stars, I do not recommend. Granted the memory of going through those is a major encouragement for not drinking.