My father was an alcoholic. He was very mentally abuse to my mother, my brother and myself. I always said I would never drink and be like him.
But at age 25 I started drinking everyday. That lasted27 long years. I am now 53 years old and I am 135 days sober. My father also quit drinking when he was in him mid-50's due to health reason and today he is almost 80, miserable and a dry drunk.
Looking back I ended up just like him - except I wasn't abusive and I go to AA and work on my sobriety. I mainly just hurt myself.