When I realized my boyfriend was an alcoholic, I also learned that my dad, my step dad, and my mother are all also alcoholics. And the reality of what that has done to them and to my life has been unfolding ever since that revelation. (I've also realized a few close friends have alcohol issues.)
And each of them is a completely different "drunk". Dad was abusive. Step dad threw our lives into turmoil, but was a good person and loved by all. Mom has slowly changed from a loving, warm, and caring mother to a selfish, moody, negative person, and my abf can't even hurt a fly, though his drinking causes a TON of turmoil in his life. Each of them suffer the negative impacts of drinking. And each of their "drinking issues" has found a way to negatively impact my life.