Here are some profound truth about alcoholics, this i extracted from the book called AA:
""Once in a while he may tell the truth. And the truth, strange to say, is usually that he has no more idea why he took that first drink than you have. Some drinkers have excuses with which they are satisfied part of the time. But in their hearts they really do not know why they do it. Once this malady has a real hold, they are a baffled lot. There is the obsession that somehow, someday, they will beat the game. But they often suspect they are down for the count.
How true this is, few realize. In a vague way their families and friends sense that these drinkers are abnormal, but everybody hopefully awaits the day when the sufferer will rouse himself from his lethargy and assert his power of will.
The tragic truth is that if the man be a real alcoholic, the happy day may not arrive. He has lost control. At a certain point in the drinking of every alcoholic, he passes into a state where the most powerful desire to stop drinking is of absolutely no avail. This tragic situation has already arrived in practically every case long before it is suspected.""
Another personal experience I wanted to share. We cant force an alcoholic into recovery. In 2014 there was a program about AA on a famous celebrity talk show. The whole AA was excited and had set up hot-line and gathered tremenous manpower to support post show inquires from people who where suffering. Lot of calls came in, but none where from the drinkers. It was mostly from family members and friends grieving about people they love.