Dear Jamaica, I have known people who drank from teen years until late middle-age before recovery. I will say that these were people who I did not ever expect to do so. In each of these cases I really was surprised when I heard about it---pleasantly so.
I believe that in AA there is a saying "While there is life, there is hope".
Each person is so incredibly unique---I am constantly reminded of this.
While we are on this subject---I would add that because we never give up hope doesn't justify us allowing the disease to destroy our lives. There is more hope if all the enablers get out of their way so that they can feel the full impact of the consequences.
dandylion