I also had one of my two best friends die from drowning when we were eight. So I can definitely understand how that would warp your whole childhood.
My dad stopped drinking when I was 7-8 years old. He was very active in AA for many years. Also had a grandfather who was active. I don't remember either of them drinking but have heard some of the horror stories. I did get to see first hand my mom's deterioration from prescription pill abuse and other mental issues when I was a teenager. She turned into a whole different person and never recovered really until she died last year. I had always heard how alcoholism has a genetic component to it so I made a conscious decision to not drink or associate with a party crowd. Until I was 24 and flipped that switch. Like I said, I was drinking alcoholically within six months after that. Probably sooner though early on it was a bit binge-ier than my later every day drinking.