To be gravely affected, one does not neccesarily have to drink a long time nor take the quantities some of us have. This is particularly true of women. Potential female alcoholics often turn into the real thing and are gone beyond recall in a few years. Certain drinkers, who would be greatly insulted if called alcoholics, are astonished at their inability to stop.
~Alcoholics Anonymous, First Edition
It's already been said above. Many of us (and likely most of us) won't admit a problem or become willing to do anything about it until we've lost a great deal -- maybe a career, maybe a marriage, maybe more. But it's not necessary to suffer losses, just to admit a problem and find the willingness to do what's necessary to recover from it.
Peace & Love,
Sugah