Alcoholism left untreated will mean the alcoholic will drink again and their drinking will get progressively worse...a 43 year old guy just died that used to come to meetings, it happens, most don't die so young they manage to exist in a living hell of their own making well into sixties...that's a reality for an alcoholic who doesn't get sober...most don't make it...does it shock me or upset me anymore, nope! Would i want every alcoholic to get sober, yep! is it up to me, nope!