I'm sorry you're feeling sad. But here is the bright side: the proverb is finite and your life and your children's lives aren't over. The proverb goes: drink takes man. The End. Life doesn't work that way (well it does but yours isn't over, some life stories really do end by way of alcohol but yours doesn't appear to be heading that direction if you keep working on yourself.) Rather your own personal proverb is more like this:
…
Drink Tries to Take Woman
Woman and Children Escape Drink
Woman Takes Back Life From Man
Woman Takes Back Life From Drink
…
And your proverb will keep on going.
Yours isn't over, Pippi. Cheer up, Buttercup. I think you have a much happier ending ahead of you.