when people would question my decision to divorce, ask me how bad could it be, living with an alcoholic who wasn't violent or abusive, I would say Imagine being married to a 5 year old. You can't be married to a 5 year old, they can't hold up their end of the relationship, even if they're 6ft tall and have a driver's license and a job and credit cards, they're still only 5 years old and incapable of a mature adult committed relationship. And I did not sign up to be a single mom of a 6ft tall 5 year old.
That was my ex AH. I'm sure he didnt' start drinking at 5, I think he said he was in his late teens; but maybe he started drinking and using in his teens because he still felt himself to be only 5 years old.
I think it's pretty common with addicts of all flavors. And others too, I'm sure we all know people who act immaturely without their necessarily being addicts or mental health patients. Everyone travels their own path after all. In some ways I'm still a 10 yr old tomboy myself.