Alcoholics can have many faces. Some get very belligerent, getting into fights, arrested numerous times, DUI's, in and out of jail/rehab, but many others like you describe can be wasted, but don't really show any "typical" signs of being so. They can also be high functioning by holding down a job, taking care of responsibilities, etc. High functioning alcoholics often times get away with things for much longer as those close to them are aware of their problem, but ignore it as it isn't directly affecting them, for now, in a negative way. Though things could turn at any moment.