What do you think to be the significance of the Albatross in "The Ancient Mariner"?

The significance of the Albatross in "The Ancient Mariner" has been left open to examination by the reader. The symbolism of the Albatross in Coleridge's poem is rather debatable. By looking at different interpretations, I will investigate whether Coleridge's Albatross is significant or not.
The ancient mariner represents Coleridge himself and the albatross represents the fight with himself to overcome his personal guilt. The mariner's sufferings are an expression of Coleridge's strong addiction with opium, and the moral collapse that followed. In the poem this is illustrated by the momen…