I think talking it all out would depend on how receptive the alcholic in your life is willing or able to hear you.
I've told my ABF many times... when he has put down the bottle for a while, when he's been drinking heavily, when he's been remorseful over violent outburst when drinking, and when he has come to me and admitted he has a problem.
The only thing it has ever served to do for me is to change his behavior in the short term, sometimes increasing his drinking and sometimes (like now) making him attempt to hide his drinking from me.
Whether he can hear me or not seems to make no difference. I always end up hurt, disappointed, and further away from him emotionally every time.
I hope others are able to shed more light on this question for you.
Alice