My Dad left home when I was 14...before I started to drink. I suppose I knew he drank but not really the extent. We stopped talking when I was 18.
I got back in touch at 32, after I quit. He told me stuff, and I found out more from family.
It was entirely frightening how similar I had become to him in the 14 years that I didn't know him, and incidentally was trying very hard not to be like him.
Made me realise just how my ilness (alcoholism) was completely beyond my control. What we inherit goes far beyond the genes.
Not all alcoholics have alcoholic parents of course. But I think it pays immensely to take a long hard look at ourselves once we manage to physically stop drinking.
P