Just my theory ...
And the theory is subject to change too! So many people on SR report that even after their As quit drinking, they're still SOBs. We started speculating that they were schmucks before they drank, were schmucks during, and schmucks after. Getting the picture? I wonder whether As are on some level so disturbed by their rotten personalities and acts that they anesthetize with the alcohol. So that means once the alcohol is gone, they need the therapy to become a mature, considerate, respectful person in society. If not, they're just a "dry drunk" or rather an SOB without the alcohol.
I honestly thought if my XABF would lose the booze he'd be a decent person. Now I'm thinking it wouldn't make much of a difference, except health-wise. He probably always was and probably always will be a psychopath. And that makes him toxic and someone I need to stay away from at all costs.