Abstinence isn't a discipline taught in psychological circles? Since when? If someone is prone to anger while drinking in bars, wouldn't you suggest that person practice not going into bars? Isn't sobriety itself a practiced discipline? Does your rational mind control your actions or do you just impulsively do whatever? If you had a choice, wouldn't you want your rational mind to have that control?
Now if some guy tells me they punched their wife. What do I say? "What? You punched your wife? I recommend not eating for 36 hours." Cmon...
There's a big difference. I've driven over the speed limit, I've punched people in bars, I've yelled at my kids. But because it was often what I chose to do. Do I mess up? Yes. Impulsive? Sure, sometimes. Self mastery is a practiced discipline, like archery, or billiards. It doesn't happen overnight and we certainly make mistakes.