It happens all the time and actually happens a lot when spouses get sober...I have a friend that's leaving his wife after years of her taking care of him and picking up the pieces after each of his binges! He's got three months sobriety and seems to think they now have nothing in common. I tried talking to him, but he seems to think it's what he needs to do to stay sober...sad thing is they have a kid together. I hate it and don't get it, but I'm not in that household so I don't really know the dynamics of the relationship and maybe them and others would be better off separating.
I just thank God that my wife has stuck with me and I her throughout the struggles with this horrific disease. I agree, more people need to see this as the disease it is!