I don't think my alcoholism could have been caught earlier because at that stage I was drinking because I wanted to and didn't want to stop. It is only after a line had been crossed and it becomes a problem that a person will want to do anything about it. A person drinks, at first, because they like it and because of this the comparison between drinking and depression or breast cancer doesn't hold up. I do think it would be a good idea for GPs to be more aware of problem drinking and maybe offer help before it is asked for though. Might help?