My fiance's mother is an abstinent alcoholic, and has been for many years now. She was the same way as your father, drunk all the time. My fiance used to come home from school to find herself locked out and her mum passed out inside. I know the potential evils of alcohol, and hence feel aware enough and capable enough to avoid them. (even if I'm not, I know I'd be frog-marched to a rehab. clinic if she thought I'd developed a drinking problem!) I could be wrong, I could be a drunk failure in a few years, but I doubt it. I think that alcoholics are gentically predisposed to their addiction - studies have already highlighted a familial trait. The point I'd like to get across is that someone can drink a lot, and not be an alcoholic; and conversely someone can drink much less and be an alcoholic. As for matters of health - only a percentage of true alcoholics develop liver problems. It's a lottery alright, but everything we do in life is a balance. Every time you get into a car, walk down the road, take a flight, eat takeout food you're potentially risking your life. The trick is to find a balance between living life to the full and guarding your health. (and yes, I was being blase regarding the alcohol/heart connection - however the study did show that only heavy drinking had a cardio-protective effect ;P)