Afoodman...as you learn more about alcoholism, you will find that no alcoholic can imagine living without drinking...especially, for the rest of their lives.
Just like a fish cannot living without water. Or, you can, without oxygen....
At a certain point, an alcoholic has to drink just to feel "normal." Their physical body and their brain demand it....
It is no wonder that they don't go rushing to give it up.....
Your mind, if you are n ot an alcoholic, can never wrap your mind around it...because it doesn't seem logical to you...and your body and brain are not calling out for it....
Total abstainence is the only thing that can put it into remission....
there is no predicting when or if your girlfriend will be ready for that move....
There is a book that is practically regarded as a "bible" around here....The title is "Co-deoendent No More". You can get it cheaply, on amazon.com...or from the library. There are workbooks that go along with it , also.
It is an easy read and I think you will find a l ot that will resonate with you....
Just as you can't imagine your l ife without her, and it fills you with fear...the same goes for her with the alcohol......