I'm d**n embarrassed to write this but thankful I lived to write this.
I was a functional alcoholic from my mid 20's until I gave it all up at 50. After the divorce at 37 I drank everyday that I didn't have my children. I never got a dui and have no idea why. I wrecked a few vehicles but never to a point I couldn't get them home. I was the life of the party, so much so that I was happy to be a drunk. I never missed work and was active in the community. I was very active in my children's lives and coached youth baseball for a number of years.
The turning point was when I met my current wife. She talked to me at length about my lifestyle and the pride I took in being able to drink for hours on end. In short she planted a seed.
The end came when I woke up at home and had no idea how I got there. My truck was not there and I had no recollection of much of that night. It turns out I passed out on the side of the road taking a tick. I was talking on the phone to my girlfriend(future wife) and when I didn't come back she found me in the ditch, truck still running. She got me home and hid my truck.
That was my bottom... I might have a couple of beers a year... it's not the same.
It was a life changing thing and it's amazing to be clear headed , happily married, and thankful I never killed others.