The big problem as I see it is that drinking has been seen in this country as funny. If someone is drunk its viewed as even funnier. Its almost looked on as an achievement if you tell people "I didn't know where I was, no idea how I got home"
There aren't many more damaging problems for a family to have an alcoholic as a parent or child. Rips them apart. I almost feel sick when I see some folks filling their trolleys up with nothing but booze. I've had dear friends who fell out with me over it when I was trying to help them not have a dependency. I consider myself fortunate in the sense that I like a drink but have never wanted more than a couple of pints, and there can be a gap of weeks in between. There's a huge problem in this country, and unfortunately its actively encouraged with "Oh go on have another one it won't hurt"