The reality is that he chose alcohol over no alcohol.
I think this is very important. When alcoholics drink, they aren't drinking AT you, they are drinking because they are alcoholics. Same if they leave a marriage or relationship. They are not choosing alcohol over their family, they truly are choosing alcohol over no alcohol.
I have been here a long time and I am an alcoholic who has been sober over 11 years. The phrase above in bold is one of the best explanations I have ever heard as to why we alcoholics do what we do.