The difference is you got help, I admire you for taking on a tough personal issue and winning. I have a friend that didn't and has a 50/50 chance of being alive in 6 months. Alcohol induced hepatitis has shut down and possibly destroyed the liver. When your liver disease is self inflicted by alcohol you don't go on the transplant list and liver transplants are not that successful. I will join with you in a plea to anyone with a problem or has been told they have or think they have a problem to seek help.
The alcoholic may think they aren't hurting anyone but themselves but that is a lie. Family and friends suffer tremendously watching the pain and suffering. Please if you need help tell someone that can either help or get you to someone that can.