thequest

Here the alcoholic lasted a little over 3 decades before requiring medical treatment and/or prescriptions for alcohol and other substance abuse. The problem is they still drink and doing at least 3 different prescriptions a day some of which can be hard on the kidneys of a sober person. If other medical issues pop they run to their doctor friend and get even more drugs that have potential consequences. So some days they do alcohol, their daily routine prescriptions and/or additional drugs for their ailments.

Mentally/mature wise they are half century old adult acting like an angry teen or adult acting like teen who is acting like an adult.

I've seen people make into to gray hair territory on a bunch of issues/problems and after a decade or two many get cocky think they're immune, not me syndrome etc. The longer things go on without changes the more that behavior and routine becomes part of their life. It's not just about the substance alone after a certain point. Sometimes by the time they get blatant physical symptoms or signs it's too late, the damage is done. It will take it's toll physically and socially/on friends and family. There will be a point of no return for the body and mind.

If they make into rehab and start right back up again after at least that's a time out for the body and the seeds of change have been planted in their mind.