I don't think it was mean. Interesting perspective which I can fully accept because yes, we shouldn't tell someone how to live their life or assume we have a better way or not accept them for who they are.
There is also no guarantee that stopping any type of reckless behavior leads directly to a better life. That is oversimplfying things because that better life may be long, long away after recovery and sadly, some never find it.
But I think you can have an acceptance AND hope they not continue to harm themselves or self destruct. Particularly if you are aware of the personal pain they are in by being an alcoholic, or how they struggle to find the solution.